Written by Juhandi Dwi Putra Lyana, Content Writer Intern at Project Child Indonesia
In 2021, 235 million people need humanitarian assistance and protection. According to Global Humanitarian Overview 2021, the percentage has climbed to 1 in 33 persons around the world, up from 1 in 45 at the time of the launch of the Global Humanitarian Overview 2020, which was already the highest in decades. The United Nations and its partners want to help 160 million people in need in 56 countries, and they will need $35 billion to do so. What a big number, isn’t it?
Let’s take a look back, a year ago. 2020 is the worst year for some of us, even The Global Humanitarian Overview also agrees with it, 2020 has been a year like no other. We could see this from the pandemic which continues to have an impact until the present. Moreover, Several issues, such as violent conflict, rising hunger and the effects of climate change also need to be concerned. The crises become more complex and protracted. The health and non-health effects of Covid-19 merged with other crises make us overwhelmed, including the humanitarian workers. Tens of thousands of international humanitarian workers are sent each year around the world. The humanitarian workers are deployed to help people in need as a result of conflicts, natural disasters, diseases, or a general lack of healthcare or infrastructure. Humanitarian aid workers could span from weeks to years, and during that time, they could encounter dangerous environments, or face emotional stress. Exposure to infectious diseases, safety and security threats, and mental health issues are the risks of humanitarian aid workers out there.
We can imagine how risky the situation is. Nevertheless, there would always be crises across the world wherever or whenever it is. The number of people who need help will exist. As I have said, the humanitarian workers are overwhelmed. Due to wreaking havoc around the world, people on the front lines and in the humanitarian community are unable to cope.
In that case, on this World Humanitarian Day, it is time for us to be the humanitarian workers in our communities. A large leap has to be preceded by a little step.
What Can We Do?
Why don’t we take a look at our surroundings? As a youth, education is the closest thing in our daily life, so let’s start from there. Referring to Global Humanitarian Overview, when Covid-19 struck, governments around the world responded by temporarily closing schools, affecting 91% (1.6 billion) of students. During school closures, at least 463 million were unable to access any remote learning, and it has been occurring until the present. Unfortunately, there are lots of students out there who still don’t have access to remote learning or are still confused about how to effectively do remote learning. As we know, the loss of educational opportunities has undermined productivity, reduced lifetime earnings and widened inequalities. In that case, we can help those in need of education, assisting them in online learning. Therefore, the widened inequalities in society would be suppressed.
It is a little step that you can do, maybe started in our own neighborhoods, or by joining an organization. We cannot let the Covid-19 pandemic steal their chances to learn and study. “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela said it. From our little step, by assisting the online learning, we could help someone to reach their dreams, maybe to be a teacher, police, or just simply make their future better. In this pandemic, Project Child Indonesia gives a chance for you who want to be involved in the little steps to be humanitarian workers. Online Learning Assistance, it is a program initiated by Project Child Indonesia to solve the problems that arise due to the online learning process system at school. Through your participation and donation, you have been a part of humanitarian aid workers.
We live in a race against conflict, climate emergency, and global pandemic. In this race, no one will be left behind. No one will suffer alone. The act of solidarity could help us win this race. For us, #theHumanRace.
References:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, April 8). Retrieved from Humanitarian Aid Workers: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/humanitarian-aid-workers
Global Humanitarian Overview 2021. (n.d.). Retrieved from Youth Movements are Shaping Global Trends: https://gho.unocha.org/global-trends/youth-movements-are-shaping-global-trends
United Nations. (n.d.). Retrieved from Humanitarian Day: https://www.un.org/en/observances/humanitarian-day
