Humanitarian Assistance in the Middle East By: Jamie Morgan

What is the issue? Humanitarian assistance is material or logistical aid provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises including natural disaster and man-made disaster. The primary objective of humanitarian assistance is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity. It may therefore be distinguished from development aid, which seeks to address the underlying socioeconomic factors which may have led to a crisis or emergency.

What is happening with Humanitarian Assistance in the Middle East The Middle East District has completed six projects in Lebanon, including construction of two dual-purpose fire station and community centers in Dmit and Ehmej, reconstruction of an emergency room and renovation of the operating and recovery rooms at Badero Hospital, and developing a sanitary sewer collection system in Rimat. There was a construction of a new three-story school that houses a conference hall, library, computer lab, and multi-purpose room. The medical clinics constructed in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, located in Madaba and Shuna. Each clinic – approximately 920-square-meters each and designed to accommodate future expansion, if needed – includes a lab, lobby area, pharmacy, X-ray room, offices, changing rooms and bathrooms, and obstetrics and gynecology facilities. They also house designated treatment areas for surgical procedures, pediatrics, ophthalmology, and dental care. These are only a few of the Humanitarian Assistance projects that have occurred recently in the Middle East.

How does the UN impact on the Middle East concerning Humanitarian Assistance Relief work for Palestine refugees has been carried out since 1949 by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Today, the Agency provides essential health, education, relief and social services to more than 3.6 million registered Palestine refugees in the Middle East. A UN Coordinator oversees all development assistance provided by the UN system to the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank.

What does the future look like for your issue in the Middle East? Will any issues be resolved? In general, it can be predicted that the humanitarians will use new technologies in new ways, including using cell phones to monitor refugees, using GPS in conflict areas, using new developments in medical sciences, and using social media to warn people. The Middle East will continue to be renovated and modernized as the century continues, upgrading buildings, schools, technologies, etc. This will not only benefit the country as a whole, but the people who live in it and need it to survive.

Humanitarian Assistance in Iraq…

Humanitarian Aid in Syria…

One of two medical clinics completed in Jordan…

Renovation of the Almat School in Lebanon…

Reconstruction at the Haret Sakher School in Lebanon…