So, WHat is Humanitarian Aid All About?

Above is a "standard" video, employing pathos to gain support for a specific cause.  You may be more familiar with the commercials that flash images of starving children and dirty drinking water, whilst Sarah McLachlan's "Angel" places in the background, and the saying "For less than a dollar a day, you can provide, so and so, a meal" is repeated in a never ending cycle.  I am not in anyway demeaning the awful conditions millions of people live in everyday, but I do however disagree with the image these commercials project and the various other causes that need equal attention.
What is humanitarian Aid?
International humanitarian aid comes from a variety of locations for a multitude of causes, and at their most fundamental level, seek to remedy the situation by injecting millions of dollars into “efforts” that support the impoverished.International humanitarian aid generally refers to assistance and actions designed to preserve lives, alleviate suffering and “protect human dignity during and in the aftermath of a man-made crises and natural disasters.”

Why do foreign governments and non-profit organizations get involved?
  For the most part, governments and other agencies advocate  for the support of "ailing" countries for three reasons: They believe that it is in their best interest; They believe it will help stabilize that country, which will then make that country indebted to them; and three it will help maintain peace in that country, which will then, hopefully, help maintain peace in other regions.
On the other hand, non-profit organizations come from a variety or regions, pledging a multitude of causes and missions, that will help the impoverished and oppressed people in a specific region.  Most non-profits work to give every individual the rights and dignities they deserve as human beings, as well as, access to the basic needs for life- food, water, shelter, and clothing.
    
What types of organizations run most of the initiatives?
The four main actors in humanitarian aid and development assistance are:
  • International (IOs) and Regional Organizations (ROs) (or Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)): The most important actor in the provision of humanitarian aid and development assistance is the United Nations (U.N.) and its various agencies, funded by member states. The World Bank and regional development banks also fund development projects.
  • Unilateral assistance: As well as multilateral assistance, many countries also direct aid unilaterally through their own foreign-aid and development agencies. In addition to a sense of moral obligation, aid can be part of foreign policy.
  • Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): NGOs increasingly play a key role in providing humanitarian aid and development assistance, both directly and as partners to U.N. agencies. They often have advantages over IOs or foreign governments. For example, they are less limited by political constraints and their diversity and independence allows them to work in very difficult places.
  • The Military: The military acts primarily to ensure a secure environment in which relief agencies can operate. In some circumstances, the military may also provide aid directly, usually when IOs and NGOs find themselves overstretched or unable to deal with security problems. The military can be used to manage and coordinate the overall humanitarian response and to deal with technically and physically demanding needs, such as restoring communications and supply routes.
 (Source: Branczik)