Ingos

Question 1

What is a humanitarian crisis?

Answer 1

A situation where large numbers of people face serious threats to life, health, safety, or dignity, and local authorities lack capacity or willingness to respond.

Question 2

List four characteristics of a humanitarian crisis.

Answer 2

• Widespread human suffering (lack of food, water, shelter, healthcare). • Large‑scale displacement (refugees, IDPs). • Breakdown of basic services (health, education, governance). • Urgent need for external assistance.

Question 3

What are the main causes of humanitarian crises?

Answer 3

• Armed conflict and violence. • Natural disasters. • Climate change impacts. • Public health emergencies.

Question 4

Define INGOs.

Answer 4

Independent, non‑profit organisations operating across borders, not part of governments, but may cooperate with states/IGOs.

Question 5

What are the four main roles of INGOs?

Answer 5

• Service delivery (food, water, shelter, healthcare). • Capacity building (training, tools, leadership). • Advocacy (campaigns, lobbying, awareness). • Resource mobilisation (funding, partnerships).

Question 6

What challenges do INGOs face?

Answer 6

Funding constraints, operational difficulties in insecure zones, political/regulatory barriers, limited capacity vs scale of crises.

Question 7

When was Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) founded and what is its role?

Answer 7

Founded in 1971 (France); provides emergency medical care in conflict zones, epidemics, refugee camps.

Question 8

Give three examples of MSF’s work.

Answer 8

Syria field hospitals, Ebola outbreak (West Africa, 2014), Gaza trauma care.

Question 9

When was the International Rescue Committee (IRC) founded and why?

Answer 9

Founded in 1933 at Albert Einstein’s request to assist Germans suffering under Hitler’s regime.

Question 10

What are the key roles of the IRC?

Answer 10

Emergency response, refugee resettlement, health services, education in emergencies, protection against gender‑based violence.

Question 11

When was Amnesty International founded and by whom?

Answer 11

Founded in 1961 by Peter Benenson in the UK.

Question 12

What are Amnesty International’s main roles?

Answer 12

Investigates human rights abuses, advocacy campaigns, human rights education, direct support to victims, contributes to international law.

Question 13

When was Oxfam International founded and what is its focus?

Answer 13

Founded in 1942 (Oxford, UK); focuses on emergency food/water/sanitation, poverty reduction, campaigns against inequality.

Question 14

Give three examples of Oxfam’s work.

Answer 14

Horn of Africa drought response, Haiti earthquake relief, advocacy on blood diamonds in Sierra Leone.

Question 15

How do INGOs carry out their duties?

Answer 15

1. Service delivery. 2. Capacity building. 3. Advocacy. 4. Funding/resource mobilisation.

Question 16

What are the advantages of INGOs?

Answer 16

Neutrality, rapid response, global reach, advocacy power.

Question 17

What are the disadvantages of INGOs?

Answer 17

Funding dependency, political restrictions, limited enforcement power.

Question 18

Why is neutrality an issue for INGOs?

Answer 18

They are often accused of bias (e.g., MSF criticised for reporting on regime abuses).

Question 19

How do INGOs complement UN/IGO efforts in humanitarian crises?

Answer 19

By focusing on individuals and applying the Human Security lens (freedom from want, fear, dignity).

Question 20

What is the key theory link for INGOs in humanitarian crises?

Answer 20

Human Security → INGOs protect individuals when states fail.

Question 21

What role did MSF play in the Syrian Civil War?

Answer 21

MSF set up field hospitals, treated war‑wounded civilians, and provided emergency trauma care despite restrictions from the Assad regime.

Question 22

How did MSF respond to the West African Ebola outbreak (2014–2016)?

Answer 22

MSF operated treatment centres, trained local health workers, and publicly warned the international community about the scale of the epidemic.

Question 23

What was MSF’s role in Gaza (2014–2023 conflicts)?

Answer 23

Provided emergency trauma surgery, mental health support, and rehabilitation for war‑injured civilians.

Question 24

How did the IRC respond to the Syrian refugee crisis?

Answer 24

Delivered healthcare, education, and cash assistance to refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey; supported resettlement in Europe and the US.

Question 25

What was the IRC’s role in Afghanistan after 2001?

Answer 25

Provided emergency relief, rebuilt schools and clinics, supported women’s empowerment, and offered livelihood training during ongoing conflict.

Question 26

How did the IRC respond to the Ukraine war (2022–present)?

Answer 26

Provided emergency cash, shelter, and mental health services to displaced Ukrainians in Poland, Moldova, and inside Ukraine.

Question 27

What role did Amnesty International play in Myanmar’s Rohingya crisis (2017)?

Answer 27

Documented ethnic cleansing, published evidence of crimes against humanity, and pressured governments to impose sanctions.

Question 28

How did Amnesty International respond to the Russia–Ukraine war (2022–present)?

Answer 28

Reported on indiscriminate Russian attacks, documented war crimes, and campaigned for accountability under international law.

Question 29

What role did Amnesty International play in the Darfur genocide (2003–2010)?

Answer 29

Collected testimonies of survivors, campaigned for ICC prosecution of Omar al‑Bashir, and raised awareness of mass atrocities.

Question 30

How did Oxfam respond to the Haiti earthquake (2010)?

Answer 30

Delivered clean water, sanitation, food aid, and supported rebuilding of livelihoods through cash‑for‑work programmes.

Question 31

What was Oxfam’s role in the Horn of Africa drought (2021–2023)?

Answer 31

Provided emergency food, water trucking, sanitation, and livelihood support for pastoralist communities.

Question 32

How did Oxfam contribute to Sierra Leone’s post‑war recovery?

Answer 32

Campaigned against “blood diamonds,” supported community rebuilding, and advocated for fair trade reforms.