GC: n
S: WFP – https://www.wfp.org/ (last access: 10 May 2024); CARE – https://www.care.org/ (last access: 10 May 2024).
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.”
– organization (n): early 15c., organisacioun, “structure of the body or its parts;” mid-15c., “act or process of organizing, the arranging of parts in an organic whole” from Medieval Latin organizationem (nominative organizatio), noun of action from past-participle stem of organizare, from Latin organum “instrument, organ” (see organ).
Sense of “that which is organized” is by 1707; especially “an organized body of persons” (1829). Meaning “system, establishment, constitution” is from 1873. Disparaging organization man, one who conforms his individuality to the organization he serves, is from the title of the 1956 book by American sociologist William H. Whyte (1917-1999). Related: Organizational.
2. Body which responds to humanitarian crises (whether national or international, government-funded or an NGO).
3. Entities with a mission to prevent and/or alleviate human suffering in armed conflicts. They are usually involved in: searching for, collecting and transporting the wounded and sick, missing and dead; providing medical treatment to the wounded and sick; assisting prisoners of war; and assisting the civilian population through the provision of humanitarian relief. They are also sometimes referred to in IHL as impartial humanitarian bodies.
4. Relief societies constitute a particular type of humanitarian organization. Such societies are recognized by their respective governments and their staff are placed on the same footing as military medical personnel, provided that such staff are subject to military laws and regulations.
Nowadays most societies of this kind are National Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies.
In armed conflicts, relief societies of neutral countries can lend the assistance of their medical personnel and medical units to a party to the conflict, provided they previously obtain the consent of their own government and the authorization of the party to the conflict they aid, and that the adverse party to the conflict is informed in advance.
5. Besides relief societies, other examples of humanitarian organizations include intergovernmental organizations such as the United Nations with its different programs and funds (e.g. UNHCR, UNICEF, UNRWA etc), and non-governmental organizations like Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). Finally, special mention must be made of the ICRC, a humanitarian organization with several protection and assistance functions specifically mentioned in the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols.
S: 1. Etymonline – https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=humanitarian+organization (last access: 7 May 2024). 2. IATE – https://iate.europa.eu/search/result/1715345447571/1 (last access: 10 May 2024). 3 to 5. ICRC – https://casebook.icrc.org/a_to_z/glossary/humanitarian-organisations (last access: 10 May 2024).
GV: humanitarian organisation
S: ICRC – https://casebook.icrc.org/a_to_z/glossary/humanitarian-organisations (last access: 10 May 2024)
SYN: humanitarian agency (depending on context)
S: IATE – https://iate.europa.eu/search/result/1715345447571/1 (last access: 10 May 2024)
CR: humanitarian, intergovernmental organisation, international organization, non-governmental organization, organization.
