What Does Humanitarian Mean?

We often hear the term “humanitarian” used in order to describe crises, types of aid, organizations, or even an individual person. But what does humanitarian mean? In this article, we’ll explain what humanitarian means, and why those who embody the word are so important.

What Is a Humanitarian?

The dictionary definition of humanitarian is “a person promoting human welfare and social reform.” This definition explains that a humanitarian is someone who cares for others, especially those who are under-resourced and struggling. However, the word encompasses more than that.

While the definition states that an individual person can be a humanitarian, there are also things like humanitarian issues, humanitarian aid, humanitarian acts, humanitarian movements, and more. These all boil down to helping individuals to protect their rights, ensuring their basic human needs—like having shelter, water, and food—are met, and providing them with the tools they need to build a sustainable, free life where they are not exploited.

The humanitarian work and assistance that both individuals and organizations provide for those in need is crucial to helping these individuals and, ultimately, making the world a better place.

The 2022 United Nations’ Global Humanitarian Overview states that there are 274 million individuals around the world in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. The overview also estimates it will cost $41 billion in order to provide the help necessary.

The International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) advocates for the rights of all uprooted people, including refugees, internally displaced persons, and migrants. Our efforts include protecting internally displaced children in Burkina Faso, providing assistance to Afghan refugees with our partner agencies, taking part in activism against gender-based violence towards Syrian refugees in Jordan, aiding Ukrainian refugees, and more.

We rely on donations to fund our critical humanitarian work and continue changing lives. Find out how you can make a difference and help migrants, internally displaced persons, and refugees in need today!

About the International Catholic Migration Commission

The International Catholic Migration Commission is a nonprofit organization that protects, serves, and advocates for displaced people throughout the world. We help refugees, asylum-seekers, victims of human trafficking, and migrants of all faiths, races, and ethnicities forge lives in safety and dignity.

With support from people like you, ICMC delivers humanitarian aid and social development, protects vulnerable migrants, contributes to refugee resettlement efforts, advocates before governments, and partners with civic leaders. We seek a sustainable solution to dangerous migration and refugee crises.

Find out more by visiting our website.