With the worsening of the humanitarian crises all over the world, a humanitarian action has become an initiative of ever more crucial importance. So it is that, since 2008, the World Humanitarian Day has been celebrated on August 19 as a way of showing appreciation for all who dedicate their lives to humanitarian activities, to promote peace, or in selfless service in aid intervention during crises generated by weather-related disasters, armed conflicts or socioeconomic situations.
Choice of the Date
August 19 was chosen in memory of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Brazilian Sérgio Vieira de Mello, and another 21 officials who, during a mission of peace in 2003, were killed in a bomb attack occurring in the UN buildings, in Bagdad, Iraq.
Humanitarian Aid Volunteers of the Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM)
In the last 10 years, the humanitarian aid volunteers of the Fraternity – International Humanitarian Mission (FIHM) have been active in 24 national and international missions in countries such as Ethiopia, Rwanda, Nepal, Turkey, Egypt, Nicaragua, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Lebanon, Angola and Paraguay, as well as Brazil.
In constant dedication, imbued with the desire to do good, the actions of these humanitarian aid volunteers are neutral, genuine and transparent, combining these with continual learning and sharing, coming from experiential knowledge and training in international humanitarian standards applied in humanitarian, social responses and in environmental disasters (Sphere, INEE, CCCM and CCHN Frontline Negotiation). They are totally dedicated to serving a global humanitarian agenda wherever the Fraternity – HumanitarianMissions may intervene.
Some of the Actions of the Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) throughout the World
The current priority of the actions in Europe and Africa is to seek a dialogue and listen attentively, to then execute the necessary actions together with local communities, populations and governments. These are:
- Lasting solutions which give back dignity and increase autonomy through the production of food and nutritional mixtures based on experiences gained since 1987, the establishment of training centres, carpentry, breadmaking and agroecological initiatives for the self-sustainability of the affected populations.
- Training for humanitarian actors, governmental and civil society agents, affected populations and host communities, expanding the horizon of expectations and providing a better response to humanitarian crises, based on standards discussed and validated by the international humanitarian community.
The Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) develops projects together with the local communities and actors who are already carrying out a role in local, social and humanitarian responses. It acts in different phases of humanitarian crises, focusing on negotiation and dialogue for improving conditions and taking care of the affected populations, including lasting solutions over the medium and long term in the following intervention sectors:
- Education in emergency and humanitarian response situations;
- Emergency and Trauma Psychological first aid;
- Refugee Camp Coordination and Management (Camp Coordination and Camp Management – CCCM);
- Liaising in humanitarian management, dialogue and negotiation, aiming for solutions and building strategies;
- Humanitarian training;
- Joint building of lasting solutions and livelihoods.
Angola Humanitarian Mission
The focus of this mission, in that month, was to aid the Obra de Caridade da Criança Santa Isabel – OCSI (Saint Isabel Children’s Charity Work). The activities carried out by the humanitarian aid volunteers were maintenance of the spaces, handicraft workshops, artistic and recreational activities, and education, prevention and promotion of health programs.
Roraima Humanitarian Mission
Being a continuing activity since 2016, the Roraima Missionis a humanitarian response to the thousands of Venezuelans that, because of the crisis experienced in their country, cross the border in search of a new beginning.
In that mission, the humanitarian aid volunteers were present in the activities of the shelters for five years; then in March of 2021, through an initiative of the Fraternity – International HumanitarianFederation (FIHF) in partnership with Operation Welcome, the IndigenousCultural and Training Centre (CCFI) was inaugurated, and its activities are now focused on promoting lasting solutions, offering training in the most varied areas, with the intent of preparing the cared-for population for the job market, besides encouraging artistic expression as a means for preserving the cultures of the different indigenous tribes that participate in the trainings.
Bahia Humanitarian Mission
The Management Committee of the Fraternity – HumanitarianMissions (FIHM) sent a group of humanitarian aid volunteers to the region affected by the rainstorms in southern Bahia, in that month, with the goal of adding its efforts to the organizations already acting locally, supporting the continued provision of aid to the affected communities that were highly vulnerable, and which still needed direct assistance.
The tasks developed by the group of workers were:
Training in the Sphere Protocols and the Protection Protocols, and Minimum Requirements for Education in Emergencies; theory and practical training based on Emergency Psychology; experiential workshops; collective work (mutirões) in small repairs, cleaning, painting and revitalization of interior spaces and garden areas, and activities with community-based education oriented to overcoming traumas.
In Europe
In May of 2021, the Fraternity – International Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) Geneva was founded, in order to expand humanitarian services on a global level, and mainly in all of Europe.
The participation of humanitarian aid volunteers has been growing in that region, both through trainings – such as that of Introduction Training to Sphere Humanitarian Standards in Europe, which are occurring in Portugal – and through participating in events – such as the Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week, which took place last May in Geneva.
The Humanitarian Action as an Expression of Peace
The objective of the humanitarian action instituted by the Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) is to do good, promote peace, acting in a neutral, impartial and independent manner, respecting the diverse and cultural expression of the different peoples.
In the words of José Trigueirinho Netto, one of the founders of the organization, a humanitarian action “carried out with an aspiration for harmony and order, without any interest except to express charity, opens doors for beings that are in very difficult situations, and collaborates in the inner activation of their potential.”