Neutrality is imperative for humanitarian organizations to ensure aid is provided solely based on need, without bias or discrimination, while also opening the door for dialogue between conflicting parties, creating the potential for peace.
"You are either with us or against us".
This has been the maxim for many insular groups of people throughout the ages. However, polarization kills. It kills the spirit of humanity and unity, it kills the conquest and declaration of the truth, and it kills any chance of peace. Instead, it fuels echo chambers, decreases comprise, increases conflict, and human suffering.
You see, we are not meant to be islands. We are not separate but intrinsically connected. Each one of us is a part of the whole.
As Albert Einstein once said, “We are part of the whole which we call the universe, but it is an optical delusion of our mind that we think we are separate. This separateness is like a prison for us. Our job is to widen the circle of our compassion so we feel connected with all people and situations.”
Humanitarian work is founded on the concept of neutrality. Neutrality is, In the context of humanitarian work, ensuring that aid is provided based solely on need, without discrimination based on race, religion, nationality, or political affiliation.
The principle of neutrality is endorsed by international humanitarian law and enshrined in various guidelines, including the United Nations General Assembly Resolutions 46/182 and 58/114, as well as the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations in Disaster Relief.
Fragmentation a Threat to Civilization
With so much intense fragmentation taking shape throughout the world, it is difficult to remain neutral in humanitarian work. However, we must make space for staying neutral to preserve our own humanity.
It is a natural human impulse to want to take a side, however if LIFE did this it would make our work impossible. Providing humanitarian assistance would become selective and how would we possibly have the authority to decide which human being is more valuable than the next?
It is impossible to condemn a person based on their religion or country or origin because often individuals feel and act differently than the state or a sect of their religion that they subscribe to. As it turns out, you really can’t judge a book by its cover.
The Origins of Neutrality in Humanitarian Work
The atrocities of World War II prompted the global community to adopt the Geneva Conventions, which built on centuries-old rules of warfare aimed at reducing human suffering. These conventions prohibit acts such as rape, torture, and the execution of prisoners of war.
The laws of war serve to curb humanity's worst tendencies, providing essential barriers against brutality and helping to maintain pathways to peace. Neutrality is a value that is inherent in upholding the Geneva Conventions and ensuring that every human being receives the essential care that they require.
Modern Application of Neutrality
So how does being neutral and embodying neutrality serve innocent civilians?
It allows organizations to visit and aid prisoners of war and civilians on both sides of a conflict. If an organization were to take one side, they would likely not be able to provide aid to other.
They are also able to create humanitarian corridors in which aid can reach suffering individuals. These corridors also act as an exit point for civilians. This is the case during LIFE’s work in Ukraine. There were several orphans and their care providers who needed to safely exit from the country. We were able to facilitate this due to our internal network and provide them with basic living essentials.
LIFE’s impartiality encourages constructive dialogue with everyone involved, which can lead to peacemaking and coordination. This principle has been applied in the direst of situations including Gaza, Yemen, Syria, and many more.
Impartial aid respects and upholds the dignity of all individuals, providing support based on their inherent worth and needs rather than external affiliations.
Neutrality Does Not Mean Turning a Blind Eye to Injustice
Neutrality can often be misunderstood. It's about providing aid based on need, not ignoring suffering from war crimes and legal violations. We do not condone any war crimes or legal violations of any kind.
We share our views on these violations and their harmful effects with organizations that are designed and capable of taking action in an effective and productive manner. This approach is more likely to lead to an eventual positive outcome while preserving access to those in need.
Not everyone needs to be neutral, but everyone must respect the necessity for humanitarian neutrality. When conflicts arise and sides are taken, LIFE chooses humanity.
Photo of LIFE team members with a woman who received hearing aids from our Here to Hear Program.
Photo of LIFE team members distributing winter boots to children in need in Michigan.
Photo of a woman receiving fresh meat during a LIFE Udhiya distribution in the Gambia.
Photo of a boy in Afghanistan enjoying fresh clean water from a water well built by LIFE.
Photo of LIFE team member distributing fresh food to a young boy in Gaza.
Photo of a girl receiving food assistance in Afghanistan.
