The notion of humanitarian aid is based on human beings’ universal right to integrity and protection from pain and violence. But when trying to help victims of catastrophes in various regions, many aid workers are faced with insurmountable challenges and psychological dilemmas. We spoke to Claus Sorensen, the director general of European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO), about the most pressing issues humanitarian agencies are forced to tackle today and about the ways they find to overcome these difficulties.
 

For 26 years now, Claus Sorensen has been working for the European Union. After studying economics at the University of Copenhagen, he joined the Danish diplomatic service. From 1981 to 1985 he was part of Danish Mission to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and from 1988 to 1989 – to the European Union. 

I.L.: You have been involved in humanitarian aid work for many years. What drove you to join the cause? 

C.S.: All public service is supposed to benefit people. However, in the humanitarian aid milieu the link between your actions and the survival and safety of your fellow human beings is so direct and dramatic that you never doubt the meaning and purpose of what you do. You just have to do more, better and faster. What better motivation is there?

I.L.: What are the basic principles of humanitarian aid and how does it get planned and evaluated? 

C.S.: Humanitarian aid is a profound reflection of the principle that every human life has intrinsic value, irrespective of age, ethnicity, nationality or gender, and that this life is entitled to protection and support. 

This is not a truism but a very politicized point of view that is not generally accepted in all parts of the world. This view has to be defended over and over again, particularly in the face of oppression, violence or conflict. 

Thus while humanitarian aid is indeed apolitical and must remain neutral and independent to ensure access in the most difficult circumstances, it is in fact a powerful and concrete manifestation of every human being’s fundamental rights, particularly the rights of those who have no access whatsoever to the corridors of power and are deprived of the most essential means of survival.

I.L.: Have the conditions in which humanitarian aid is provided changed in recent years? Is delivering humanitarian aid today easier than before? 

C.S.: Today we are faced with ever more restrictions and limitations on humanitarian work. The word “humanitarian,” the flag of the Red Cross or Red Crescent or indeed the blue flag of the UN no longer offer the protection they did ten years ago. Governments are using hunger as a weapon of war. Hospitals are being bombed. Access to prisons is being denied. Medicine and surgical instruments are being stolen from humanitarian consignments. It is not that problems were in short supply before: think Pol Pot, the Tamils, discrimination of the Royhingas or the hunger in Biafra, not to speak of the horrors of World War II. But unfortunately, history has a way of repeating itself, so we need to remain vigilant and active.

In fact, it is an important task for humanitarians who are delivering assistance to also bear witness to human suffering, to act as humanity’s conscience and to either convince or shame governments and leaders into providing political solutions to conflicts or man-made disasters. 

However, this kind of advocacy should not put aid delivery at risk. This is a difficult balancing act that requires specific knowledge, experience and good judgement.

I.L.: What challenges do you personally face in your work?

C.S.: The main challenge has been dealing with the "hooligans" of this world: the governments or rebel groups who assault innocent civilians in the name of whichever doctrine or religious belief, disrespecting their rights to life and protection. Some are motivated by sheer greed, others do not allow convoys to pass and prevent vaccines from getting administered. Not to mention the stalemate in the United Nations Security Council, which is a disgrace when it comes to ending conflict. 

Another challenge are the limited budgets that do not measure up to the tasks in front of us and that keep coming under attack. We must get better at taking preventive measures while still saving lives. There is also a myriad of other dilemmas: how do we speak out against atrocities when humanitarian aid workers are in the line of fire? How do we stop aid from getting diverted, which can be cause for prolonged conflict in itself?

I.L.: Many atrocities against humanity were condemned internationally. Unfortunately, human rights are still getting systematically violated today. What are some effective mechanisms you see to stop this from happening? Is international pressure enough? 

C.S.: It is not enough to speak up, but it remains essential to do so. Even the most evil government has some reputation to defend. At the same time, it is equally important to maintain dialogue and to build trust. 

We have to be prepared to negotiate with the devil to save lives. 

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an essential venue in terms of its symbolism and the verdicts it issues. But automatic referral to the ICC is not the answer. The ultimate aim is to save lives, and to have cases pending that cannot be prosecuted yet end up creating obstacles for humanitarian workers is not a solution, either. Often, a division of labor is in order: those engaged in the field stay away from shaming and naming and leave that job to others, whose activities are in less danger of being taken hostage or closed down. But let's be clear: the balance is difficult to achieve!

I.L.: What do you consider the special humanitarian mission of the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO)? 

C.S.: ECHO fulfils the aspiration of all Europeans to be represented and show solidarity and unity when fellow human beings’ rights are being trampled on or when lives and wellbeing are threatened by man-made or natural disasters. This reflects the fundamental values of the European Union treaties and is a powerful political statement to all individuals that they shall not be forgotten and to governments that they must take care of the people in their jurisdiction. Moreover, ECHO is the custodian of good practice and collective action by the Union and its member states. It brings scale, coordination and effectiveness to humanitarian action.

I.L.: Last year the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity was launched to honor courageous individuals and to help humanitarian organizations financially. What do you make of it? 

C.S.: I believe humanitarian aid workers, particularly those delivering aid in the most challenging circumstances, often at a risk to their own lives, deserve respect and recognition. The Aurora Prize expresses gratitude to those on the front lines.

On behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors, the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity will be granted annually to an individual whose actions have had an exceptional impact on preserving human life and advancing humanitarian causes. The Aurora Prize Laureate will be honored with a $100,000 grant. In addition, that individual will have the unique opportunity to continue the cycle of giving by selecting an organization that inspired their work to receive a $1,000,000 award. The inaugural Aurora Prize ceremony will take place in Yerevan, Armenia, on April 24, 2016.