GC: n

S: Telegraph – http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/davidblair/100179303/syrias-humanitarian-crisis-is-being-forgotten-in-the-blood-and-thunder-of-the-revolution/ (last access: 28 February 2013); HumCoalit – http://humanitariancoalition.ca/info-portal/factsheets/what-is-a-humanitarian-crisis (last access: 4 September 2014).

N: 1. – humanitarian (adj): As a noun by 1794 in the theological sense “one who affirms the humanity of Christ but denies his pre-existence and divinity,” from humanity + suffix from unitarian, etc.; see humanism. Meaning “philanthropist, one who advocates or practices human action to solve social problems” is from 1842, originally disparaging, with a suggestion of excess.
As an adjective by 1834 in the theological sense “affirming the humanity or human nature of Christ;” by 1855 as “having regard for the broad interests of humanity.”

– crisis (n): early 15c., crise, crisis, “decisive point in the progress of a disease,” also “vitally important or decisive state of things, point at which change must come, for better or worse,” from Latinized form of Greek krisis “turning point in a disease, that change which indicates recovery or death” (used as such by Hippocrates and Galen), literally “judgment, result of a trial, selection,” from krinein “to separate, decide, judge,” from PIE root *krei- “to sieve,” thus “discriminate, distinguish.”
Transferred non-medical sense is 1620s in English. A German term for “mid-life crisis” is Torschlusspanik, literally “shut-door-panic,” fear of being on the wrong side of a closing gate.

2. A humanitarian crisis is an event or series of events which represents a critical threat to the health, safety, security or wellbeing of a community or other large group of people, usually over a wide area. Armed conflicts, epidemics, famine, natural disasters and other major emergencies may all involve or lead to a humanitarian crisis that extends beyond the mandate or capacity of any single agency.

3. Humanitarian crises can be grouped under the following headings:

• Natural Disasters (earthquakes, floods, storms and volcanic eruptions).
• Man-made Disasters (conflicts, plane and train crashes, fires and industrial accidents).
• Complex Emergencies (when the effects of a series of events or factors prevent a community from accessing their basic needs, such as water, food, shelter, security or health care).

S: 1. Etymonline – https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=humanitarian+crisis (last access: 2 May 2024). 2 & 3. HumCoalit – http://humanitariancoalition.ca/info-portal/factsheets/what-is-a-humanitarian-crisis (last access: 4 September 2014).

SYN:
S:

CR: humanitarian crisis, humanitarian disaster, vulnerability.