This World Humanitarian Day, Declare That Civilians are #NotATarget
By Annie Rosenthal, +SocialGood Community Manager
Every day, millions of people are trapped in wars that aren’t of their own making. Children’s days are spent hiding from bombs instead of engaging in schoolwork, doctors face death instead of saving lives, and civilians walk through their homes and streets in fear. It is time that we step up and let it be known that we will not stand for this type of horrific conflict.
Join us, the United Nations, and people around the world in declaring that civilians are #NotATarget. Sign the petition here.
Technology is enabling us to connect and respond to these types of conflicts like never before. Read on to find out some of the solutions helping to protect civilians and end crises.
- Technologies of the future. Some of the solutions being used throughout global conflicts seem like they are out of a science fiction novel. Drones are being used to assess the needs of people fleeing conflicts, deliver medical, food, and other supplies, and to provide mobile connectivity that can save lives. Blockchain and mFinance tools are being used to enable refugees and other endangered civilians to make faster, cheaper, and more secure cash-based electronic transfers. The World Food Programme is even exploring how self-driving trucks could be used to get food supplies into the most dangerous regions.
- Global connections. While some of these solutions highlight the newest technologies, one tool is as old as humanity itself — social connections. Many successful programs use communications tools like radio, video games, and television programming to bring people together in support of peacebuilding. Other tools, like WhatsApp, have been used to enable civilians to share information about attacks, to connect after disasters, and to warn about potential danger.
- Protecting people and resources. Once civilians have been through a crisis, it is important to help them find homes, jobs, schools, and other essential resources. Innovators are supplying refugees and migrants with new types of sturdy shelters, from IKEA/UNHCR units to bottled sand houses and cutting-edge instant refuge sites. Open sourced, cross-platform e-reading systems, like eKitabu, have allowed students to access educational programming in hard to reach areas, including refugee camps. The United Nations and other organizations have stepped in to protect water plants in Mosul and to empower civilians to find decent jobs through training and mentorship.
We have many of the solutions we need to protect civilians worldwide. Now we need the political will to support an end to civilian violence. Add your voice to put pressure on our leaders to take action. Sign the World Humanitarian Day petition here.