by Nadine Bushell, member of the CCSJ
World Humanitarian Day, celebrated on August 19, was designated by the United Nations General Assembly to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. Since then the day has been used to recognise firstly those who face danger and adversity in order to help others. The observance also seeks to draw attention to humanitarian needs worldwide and to the importance of international cooperation in meeting those needs. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the spirit that inspires humanitarian work around the globe.
Every year, disasters cause immense suffering for millions of people. Usually the world’s poorest, most marginalised and vulnerable individuals are the worst affected, but then there are times when the general population is affected. We only have to recall disasters such as the tsunami in Thailand (2004), the genocide in Rwanda (1994), the flooding in New Orleans through Hurricane Katrina (2005) and, closer to home, Hurricane Ivan and its devastation in Grenada (2004) and the earthquake in Haiti (2010). All these disasters highlighted that the need for humanitarian work is likely to always be with us. Even if we avoided manmade disasters brought about through human action, such as wars and genocide, the forces of nature very often give us an opportunity to show our love for our fellow brothers and sisters by doing more than the customary comfortable charitable works.
In the examples listed above, there would have been persons who risked their lives to assist others in need or who suffered extreme discomfort – being separated from family and loved ones and their comfortable homes – to work in situations of national disaster. There is not enough thanks or compensation for such persons who gave up so much to respond to emergencies. In some instances, they responded in unsafe and insanitary conditions.
Responding to emergencies is only one aspect of humanitarian work. Humanitarian workers also assist communities to rebuild after disasters and also help rebuild the spirit of affected persons, to help them become more resilient, to ensure that their rights are honoured and that their voices are heard despite their vulnerable situation. Humanitarian workers often have a critical role in building sustainable communities.
They do this regardless of where they are in the world and without discrimination based on nationality, social group, religion, sex, race or any other factor.
Our Catholic Church has been a frontrunner in humanitarian assistance for centuries. Can you imagine a world without an entity such as the Catholic Church, without all of its hospitals, orphanages, centres for the homeless and other humanitarian efforts. Internationally, the Catholic Church is a significant provider of humanitarian services in the Pacific, sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Hundreds of millions of people rely on the Catholic Church every day for a wide range of services including primary, secondary and tertiary education, basic health services, clinics and hospitals, orphanages, welfare support, pastoral care and family support, job creation, advocacy against injustice and so much more. This is a heritage we as Catholics should be proud of and ensure we support either by giving of ourselves to causes as they arise or as our heart compels us to do. In many instances, humanitarian assistance comes from within the countries in which the disasters occur. Many of us who have seen news items in the media have felt a silent urging (which we usually share with no one) to assist, but unfortunately we turn the page or the next news item comes along and we quietly ignore the call and then life continues and we forget. We must all make an effort. We all are not able to give the same way. Some of us can give of our time, others financial resources. We must ensure that we give something when the opportunity arises. Everyone can be a humanitarian. People affected by disasters are often the first to help their own communities.
There are those among us who will go beyond this and be humanitarian workers and we must remember to keep them in our prayers and provide them with the spiritual, emotional and financial support required for them to do what they are called to do. Humanitarian aid supports “the Common Good”. It enables us to ensure that no one is left behind, that the most vulnerable are protected, that there is no poverty and hunger, that persons are safe and secure, that everyone has access to health care and the opportunity to make a decent living.
