Ten Ways to Make a Difference

by Michael Bear

category: Humanitarian Relief

Published October 05, 2008 @ 10:11PM PT

At some point, everyone must (or should) act. This list suggest different actions that anyone can take, from lobbying to volunteering, and everything in-between. This is meant to be a dynamic list – if you have any suggestions, please send them along.

1. Support the United Nations

Join your country’s United Nations Association to help build understanding and support for the critical work that the UN does in assisting victims of conflict and natural disasters. United Nations Associations are active in over 100 UN member states, drawing together hundreds of thousands of people.

2. Support Red Cross / Red Crescent Societies

Each country has its own Red Cross / Red Crescent Society, which plays a major role in responding to both domestic and international emergencies. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies provides assistance to tens of millions of people a year. Individuals can support their nation’s Red Cross / Red Crescent Society either by donating, or by volunteering. The Federation relies on such volunteers, with 355 volunteers for every paid member of staff.

3. Support NGOs

International NGOs are often responsible for implementing humanitarian activities on the ground. As with the Red Cross / Red Crescent, it’s possible to support NGOs both by donating money and by volunteering. Some of the largest humanitarian NGOs include: Action Against Hunger (ACF), CARE, Caritas, Catholic Relief Services, CHF, Concern, Danish Refugee Council, Goal, International Medical Corps (IMC), International Rescue Committee (IRC), International Relief and Development (IRD), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Mercy Corps, Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam, Relief International, Samaritan’s Purse, Save the Children, Trócaire, World Vision

For a searchable database of which NGOs work where, please see here.

4. Advocate to End Global Poverty

There are a number of coalitions which advocate on issues around global poverty, including the One Campaign and the CARE Action Network.

5. Advocate to End Genocide

Similarly, a number of advocacy coalitions and organizations focus on genocide, including Enough and the Genocide Intervention Network.

6. Advocate for Darfur, or to Help other Victims of Conflict

Some advocacy coalitions also focus on specific conflicts, such as Darfur (Save Darfur) and the Congo (Congo Global Action).

7. Advocate for Human Rights

For those interested in human rights more broadly, there is Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, while CIVIC focuses on the rights of innocent victims of conflict.

8. Educate Yourself

“Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will.” Alertnet Crisis Briefs provide excellent short overviews of various humanitarian emergencies, while those looking for more in-depth analysis should turn to the International Crisis Group.

9. Advocate on Your Own

If there’s any issue that matters to you, then write an op-ed or an article, organize a meeting, or contact your elected government representative and ask what he or she is doing to help address the problem.

10. Submit Other Suggestions

If you have suggestions for ways to get involved, please submit them and they’ll be posted

Image: Lara Hedbor, 2007