NGO's & Humanitarian Crises (AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies): Revision Note

The role of NGO's

• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are independent bodies that are not controlled by governments

  • They play an important part in responding to conflicts, disasters and human rights issues around the world

What are NGOs?

• Many NGOs are registered charities and may operate nationally (within one country) or internationally (across many countries)

• Although independent, many NGOs receive government funding and often work alongside governments, the EU, the UN, or other international organisations

What NGOs do in international disputes

• Providing humanitarian aid

  • NGOs often provide basics, such as food, shelter and medical support, during conflicts

    • E.g. The Red Cross provided emergency medical care and shelters for civilians during the Syrian civil war

• Protecting human rights

  • NGOs report abuses and put pressure on governments to intervene

    • E.g. Amnesty International published reports on the treatment of political prisoners in Myanmar and pressured the government to release them

• Supporting refugees and displaced people

  • NGOs provide advice and resources for those fleeing violence or persecution

    • E.g. The Refugee Council helps refugees arriving in the UK by providing housing and legal advice as well as language support

• Raising awareness

  • NGOs launch campaigns and engage in global activism

    • E.g. Oxfam campaigns to highlight global poverty and inequalities through its Make Poverty History campaign

• Offering expert support and evidence

  • NGOSs provide their expertise to international bodies such as the UN

    • E.g. Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) giving medical evidence to the UN about health crises in conflict zones such as Yemen

The work of NGO's

• The following case studies highlight the work of two international NGOs in providing humanitarian relief and supporting displaced persons