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Growing the Sheltering Tree: Protecting Rights Through Humanitarian Action

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Those of us born in the twentieth century – the information age – cannot claim we did not know of genocide, of atrocities committed in war, of the oppression of peoples, of the exploitation of innocents. We cannot pretend ignorance of an epidemic linked to poverty and discrimination; we have seen the growing gap between rich and poor in a time of overwhelming prosperity for a few. Humanitarian workers of all nationalities consistently responded to cries for help. They found themselves on the front lines, and as they struggled to safeguard basic rights to food, water, shelter, and medical care, they witnessed the deliberate starvation of civilians; abductions and slavery; the imprisonment and execution of those of the ‘wrong’ ethnicity or religion; the humiliation of older people once revered; and the destruction of culture and tradition. They came to realize that humanitarian assistance involves far more than saving lives through the provision of material aid. It includes saving lives in other ways: by helping people to realise rights not yet achieved, by empowering people to regain rights that have been taken away – and by protecting people to the best of one’s ability from suffering directly caused by armed conflict, repression and exploitation. Protection is now understood as encompassing all activities aimed at obtaining full respect for the rights of the individual in accordance with human rights, humanitarian and refugee law. This book describes some practical methods developed – often against overwhelming odds – to promote respect for fundamental rights and human dignity. It is a testament to the ingenuity and courage of humanitarians, the majority of whom don’t fly in on jet planes but are members of affected societies. Humanitarians have begun to recognize that the impact of protection is many times greater when joined with that of others, and that suffering people are not helpless victims but are fellow travellers who often know the way but lack the means to get to their destination. Growing the Sheltering Tree: Protecting Rights Through Humanitarian Action is not meant to sit on the shelf as a one-time publication – it is intended to provide a way to exchange, test and create new information on the promotion and protection of rights through humanitarian work. With our care and tending, the roots of these small seeds will intertwine and a mighty tree will grow; one that will offer sustenance to those in need and refuge from the winds of war. A sheltering tree. Let’s grow it together

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Availability

KP.VI.4.00012

KP.VI.4 SAL g

My Library (Perpustakaan)

Available

Detail Information

Series Title

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Call Number

KP.VI.4 SAL g

Publisher

Swiss : UNICEF., 2010

Collation

xvii, 219p. : ill. ; 23cm

Language

English

ISBN/ISSN

92-806-3762-2

Classification

KP.VI.4

Content Type

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Media Type

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Carrier Type

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Edition

2010

Subject(s)

Wounded Person
Kosovo war
Children victim

Specific Detail Info

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Statement of Responsibility

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