World Humanitarian Day 2010
19th August is World Humanitarian Day, a day set aside not only to remember the lives of humanitarian workers lost in the performance of their duties, but also to reflect on what it means to be ‘a humanitarian worker’.
I invite you to take a moment to honour all our colleagues working in the humanitarian sector and to remember especially those who gave their lives while carrying out their humanitarian mission.
Also, check out the quiz I created from UN docs to test your knowledge and to learn more about humanitarian work and this day! More info about World Read moreHumanitarian Day can be found at www. Worldhumanitarianday. Info and https://ochaonline. Un. Org/whd/.
Good luck!
~Mary Beth
Questions and Answers
- 1.
QUESTION #1: Man-made and natural disasters cause immense suffering for millions of people every year, very often among the world’s poorest, most marginalized and vulnerable individuals. Of these millions of people, how many are known to be internally displaced?Villagers fleeing gunfire in a camp for internally displaced persons during the 2008 Nord-Kivu War
- A.
3 million
- B.
12 million
- C.
20 million
- D.
27 million
- E.
50 million
Correct Answer
D. 27 millionExplanation
According to UN records, 27 million persons are known to be internally displaced, although given the constant fluctuation of IDPs, it is difficult to determine accurate figures.
Internally displaced persons are persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized violence, violations of human rights or natural or human-made disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognized State border.Rate this question:
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- 2.
QUESTION #2: The HQ of the United Nations in Baghdad was bombed on 19th August 2003. 22 people lost their lives, including the Special representative of the UN Secretary-General, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Is World Humanitarian Day intentionally celebrated on the anniversary of the Canal Hotel bombing?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R54BpQalwDc
- A.
Yes, World Humanitarian Day was inaugurated on this day in 2009 day six years after the attack.
- B.
No, the attack purposely occurred on World Humanitarian Day, in order to tarnish and halt the celebration at the UN and to protest the influence & dominance of the Western world.
Correct Answer
A. Yes, World Humanitarian Day was inaugurated on this day in 2009 day six years after the attack.Explanation
In 2008, World Humanitarian Day was designated in memory of those who died in the bombing in 2003, but also in memory of the many aid workers who have lost their lives in the humanitarian cause. The day is also held to emphasize current humanitarian needs and challenges worldwide, such as threats to humanitarian aid workers by conflicting parties, challenges in reaching the people we try to assist, and the increasing complexity of the humanitarian environment due to food price shocks, global market turbulence, water shortages and climate change. Particular focus will be placed on the people on whose behalf we work.
Watch a video on the 2003 Canal Hotel bombing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R54BpQalwDcRate this question:
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- 3.
QUESTION #3: Which of the following principles represent the foundation of humanitarian action?
- A.
Neutrality and Impartiality
- B.
Humanity
- C.
Operational Independence
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the aboveExplanation
The humanitarian field relies on four primary principles:
Neutrality and Impartiality: Humanitarian actors must not take sides in hostilities or engage in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature. Humanitarian action must be carried out on the basis of need alone, giving priority to the most urgent cases of distress and making no distinctions on the basis of nationality, race, gender, religious belief, class or political opinion.
Humanity: Human suffering must be addressed wherever it is found. The purpose of humanitarian action is to protect life and health and ensure respect for human beings.
Operational Independence: Humanitarian action must be autonomous from the political, economic, military or other objectives that any actor may hold with regard to areas where humanitarian action is being implemented.Rate this question:
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- 4.
QUESTION #4: How many known refugees currently are in the world?
- A.
100,000
- B.
500,000
- C.
1 million
- D.
5 million
- E.
10 million
Correct Answer
E. 10 millionExplanation
Under the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees from 1951, a refugee is a person who (according to the formal definition in article 1A of this Convention), "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country".
The concept of a refugee was expanded by the Convention's 1967 Protocol and by regional conventions in Africa and Latin America to include persons who had fled war or other violence in their home country.
As of December 31, 2005, the largest source countries of refugees are Afghanistan, Iraq, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Palestinian Territories.Rate this question:
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- 5.
QUESTION #5: True or false? Humanitarian aid primarily is delivered by Western organizations and agencies.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Over many years, humanitarian aid workers have relied on acceptance that they need to be protected by all parties to ensure they can work wherever they are needed. Increasingly, however, a perception is spreading that humanitarian aid is delivered exclusively by Western organizations or agencies, or somehow represents one ideological or religious world view. This is entirely wrong, yet is increasingly virulent in many regions of the world. The worst manifestation of this false perception is the increasing number of targeted attacks on humanitarian personnel, killing and injuring more humanitarian aid workers every year. This situation harms the poorest, most vulnerable people the most.Rate this question:
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- 6.
QUESTION #6: What is the focus of this year’s World Humanitarian Day?
- A.
To draw attention to humanitarian needs worldwide
- B.
To explain in simple, visual terms what humanitarian aid work entails
- C.
To remember those who have lost their lives in humanitarian service
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the aboveExplanation
In honor of World Humanitarian Day, consider taking one or more of these actions:
+ Ensure colleagues and the general public are aware of WHD through the dissemination of the one-minute film and WHD handouts and via professional & personal networks, such as Facebook and Twitter
+ Use WHD Key Messages as points for senior political figures and officials to use in media interviews or encounters organized specifically for the day
+Lobby major international & national broadcast networks to show the version of the film that incorporates the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's statement
+ Where possible, encourage human aid workers to speak to the media regarding their work
+ Organize public events featuring humanitarian work
See http://ochaonline.un.org/whd/ for materials.Rate this question:
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- 7.
QUESTION #7: What is the significance of the World Humanitarian Day logo?
- A.
The WHD letters embedded on a map of the world show how World Humanitarian Day celebrates the global nature of humanitarian work while the two olive branches holding up the world symbolizes how essential peace is to sustaining humanity.
- B.
Each of the images (a drop of water, a red ribbon, a handshake, a gavel, a rice bowl, a schoolbook, and a tree) reflect the variety of sectors of the humanitarian field.
- C.
The multi-color flag flying from a solid-colored post celebrates how diversity and unity can co-exist, as we come together to honor those served by the humanitarian field and remember those who have given their lives in the name of serving those in need.
- D.
All of the above.
- E.
None of the above.
Correct Answer
E. None of the above.Explanation
In fact, while World Humanitarian Day does celebrate all of the above values and ideas, a WHD logo intentionally does NOT exist because the day is not about individual agencies, but rather about humanitarian aid work. Humananitarian organizations have agreed that this day is an opportunity to explain why and how we do the work we do, and to talk about the principles of humanitarianism and how they are reflected in our joint endeavours.Rate this question:
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- 8.
QUESTION #8: What percentage of people in the world is chronically hungry?
- A.
1%
- B.
8%
- C.
16%
- D.
25%
- E.
50%
Correct Answer
C. 16%Explanation
One out of every six people in the world is chronically hungry. Humanitarian aid workers strive to ensure that all those who have experienced a traumatic event and need life-saving assistance receive it, regardless of where they are in the world, and regardless of their religious or social group or nationality.Rate this question:
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- 9.
QUESTION #9: True or false? The majority of humanitarian aid workers leave their homes, families, and culture to assist the poor and marginalized in foreign countries.
- A.
True.
- B.
False.
Correct Answer
B. False.Explanation
This statement is false, since the majority of humanitarian aid workers come from the countries in which they work. Strong professional and independent local partners are fully involved in all humanitarian responses. Humanitarian aid workers are national and international, male and female, and reflect all culture, ideologies and backgrounds. Their motivations for humanitarian work are diverse, but all aid workers are united by their commitment to humanitarianism.Rate this question:
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- 10.
QUESTION #10: How many countries officially marked World Humanitarian Day in 2009?
- A.
5
- B.
17
- C.
41
- D.
74
- E.
None of the above.
Correct Answer
C. 41Explanation
41 countries commemorated this day last year. Some examples of events from World Humanitarian Day 2009:
· The European Commission used the day to focus attention on forgotten crises.
· In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, commemorative events were held in Kinshasa, Bukava, Goma, and Bunia.
· In Ethiopia, the World Humanitarian Day film played in the main square in Addis Ababa.
· An OpEd written by the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator appeared in 41 newspapers around the world.
· In Nepal, the Minister of Home Affairs presided over a ceremony to commemorate World Humanitarian Day.Rate this question:
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- 11.
QUESTION #11: Which country has the largest number of internally displaced persons (IDPs)?
- A.
Sudan
- B.
Niger
- C.
Somalia
- D.
Afghanistan
- E.
Turkey
Correct Answer
A. SudanExplanation
As of December 31, 2005, the country with the largest number of IDPs is Sudan with over 5 million.
Also, with 800,000 refugees and IDPs, Azerbaijan had the highest per capita IDP population in the world.Rate this question:
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- 12.
QUESTION #12:True or false. According to UN records, 278 humanitarians were victims of 139 serious security incidents in 2009, compared with 1999 when 65 humanitarians were involved in 34 such incidents. In 2009, 205 of these victims were national staff members of humanitarian organizations, while 73 were international. In 1999, 40 victims were national staff and 25 were international.http://ochaonline.un.org/whd/docs/SecuritySheet/whd_2010_security_sheet_en.pdf
- A.
True.
- B.
False.
Correct Answer
A. True.Explanation
True.
"By definition, the people who are working trying to tackle humanitarian need are working in places which are often remote, usually difficult, and very often dangerous as well, because that's where the conflicts are and that’s where the natural disasters happen."
-- John Holmes
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs
As humanitarians, we go to places of conflict and danger bearing no arms or weapons while working for peace and to alleviate hunger, poverty and suffering. Today we honor our colleagues who knowingly and willingly risk their lives in order to serve others and remember those who have lost their lives doing so. While 278 humanitarian victims in 2009 are recognized and documented, we also remember the many victims who have not been officially recognized, but who have lost their lives while attempting to live in dignity and to help others to do the same.
http://ochaonline.un.org/whd/docs/SecuritySheet/whd_2010_security_sheet_en.pdfRate this question:
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Mar 16, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Aug 19, 2010Quiz Created by
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