Non-governmental organisations

• What NGOs are:

  • Independent from governments.
  • Include charities like Oxfam, Save the Children.
  • Not profit-making, often work with governments, and don’t take sides.

  NGO characteristics:

  • Have experience and humanitarian aims.
  • Raise money from public appeals.
  • Work in difficult global situations (e.g. crises, development).
• What NGOs do:

  1. Natural disasters – Provide emergency relief (e.g. food, water).
  2. Disease – Tackle outbreaks (e.g. Ebola in Sierra Leone).
  3. Refugees – Help with resettlement and support.
  4. Human rights – Campaign and raise awareness (e.g. Amnesty International).
  5. Improving conditions – Help with clean water, sanitation, tech.
• Resources impact on NGOs:

  Governments:

  • Can send peacekeepers, impose sanctions.

  NGOs

  
  

  Rely on public support, can lose funds after scandals.

  
  

  
  

  Governments:

  Work via UN, NATO.

  
  

  NGOs:

  Difficult if cause is unpopular or scandals arise.

  
  

  Example: Oxfam faced backlash after some workers in Haiti were accused of misconduct post-2010 earthquake.