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World Humanitarian Day
Context: World Humanitarian Day (WHD) is observed globally every year on August 19th.
What are human values?
- Human values are the fundamental, ethical, and moral principles that serve as a compass for human behavior. They are the shared, intrinsic beliefs that guide our actions, decisions, and interactions with others, forming the bedrock of a just and compassionate society. The examples include:
- Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
- Compassion: A deep awareness of the suffering of others coupled with the desire to alleviate it.
- Integrity: Adhering to moral and ethical principles; honesty.
- Solidarity: Unity and mutual support within a group, especially among those with common interests.
- Respect: Treating all individuals with dignity, regardless of their background.
- Courage: The strength to confront danger, pain, or adversity, often for a greater good.
- Equity and Justice: The fair treatment of all people.
- These values are universal and transcend cultural, religious, and national boundaries. They are what motivate individuals to help strangers in distress, often at great personal risk.
How does a human being differ from being human?
- Human Being: This is a biological and genetic classification. It refers to a member of the species Homo sapiens, defined by specific DNA, physical characteristics, and cognitive abilities. It is a statement of fact about one’s existence.
- Being Human: This is an ethical and behavioral characteristic. It describes the quality of embodying the core human values of compassion, kindness, empathy, and solidarity. It is about how one treats others and their place in the world.
- Difference: A person can be a human being in the biological sense yet fail at being human by acting with cruelty, indifference, or selfishness. Conversely, the term is sometimes extended to animals that show exceptional compassion, suggesting they are “being human” in their actions.
- A corrupt official who embezzles money meant for orphanages is a human being but is not being human. Their actions lack compassion and integrity.
Why are the works of humanitarians beneficial?
- Saves Lives and Alleviates Suffering: Following the 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, humanitarian organisations like the Turkish Red Crescent and Syrian White Helmets were among the first responders, pulling thousands of people from rubble and providing emergency shelter, food, and medical care to survivors in freezing temperatures, directly saving countless lives.
- Upholds Human Dignity: In refugee camps like Dadaab in Kenya or Kutupalong in Bangladesh, agencies like UNHCR and UNICEF do more than just hand out food.
- Stabilises Communities and Prevents Further Conflict: Effective humanitarian assistance can prevent mass displacement, disease outbreaks, and total societal collapse.
- Gives Voice to the Voiceless: Organisations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch meticulously document atrocities in conflict zones like Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine.
- Represents our Collective Conscience: The work of the World Food Programme (WFP), which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, exemplifies this.
