What is Humanitarian Response?
Humanitarian response is the external assistance to people affected by a crisis such as a natural disaster or a man-made disaster such as war or armed conflict.
The Silent Heroes of Humanitarian Response
In the face of natural disasters, armed conflicts, and other crises, humanitarian organizations work tirelessly to provide aid and relief to those in need. While the efforts of doctors, aid workers, and logisticians are often celebrated, a crucial yet often overlooked role is played by translators. These linguistic experts bridge the communication gap, ensuring that vital information reaches affected populations in their native languages. Translators are the silent heroes of humanitarian response, facilitating effective communication and enabling essential services to be delivered.
How Translators Can Help Humanitarian Actions
- Facilitating communication: Translators help ensure vital information is accurately communicated to affected populations in their native languages.
- Providing cultural context: Translators can help to bridge cultural gaps by providing context and explanations that may be necessary for effective communication.
- Assisting in needs assessments: Translators can help aid organizations to assess the needs of affected populations by conducting interviews, surveys, and focus groups.
- Supporting medical care: Translators can assist in providing medical care by interpreting for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
What Are the Humanitarian Principles?
Humanitarian principles dictate how humanitarian response should be carried out. The humanitarian principles were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly under the resolution AG 46/182. Here are the four guiding principles:
- Humanity: Human suffering must be prevented and alleviated wherever it is found. The purpose of humanitarian action is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for humans.
- Neutrality: To be neutral means not taking sides in a conflict or engaging in controversies of political, racial, religious or ideological nature.
- Impartiality: Humanitarian action must be carried out without any discrimination. Human suffering is universal and no one can be deprived of the assistance they need.
- Independence: Humanitarian action must be independent from any political, financial, or or any other objections the actors may hold.
These principles were created to guide the work of humanitarian actors who work directly with the affected population. Unlike interpreters, translators may not work in the field, but they still need to make sure their translation upholds these four principles.
How The Humanitarian Principles Apply to a Translator’s Work:
1. Uphold Humanity:
As a translator ensure that the translated documents do not violate human rights or human dignity. Avoid language that is discriminatory, offensive, or harmful. Make sure the translation should accurately convey the intended meaning of the original document while maintaining a compassionate tone, especially when dealing with sensitive topics. Make sure you avoid language that could be harmful or stigmatizing.
2. Be Impartial:
Make your translation impartial and avoid bias or favoritism towards any particular group or viewpoint. Use neutral language. When translating a document with different perspectives, you should try to represent each side fairly and accurately.
3. Remain Neutral:
When translating, avoid adding personal opinions or political statements to the document. Focus on accurately conveying the original or intended message. The translation should be objective and avoid taking sides in any conflicts or disputes presented in the original document.
4. Be Independent:
You should adhere to professional ethics and avoid being influenced by any personal bias or external pressure.
These principles are essential for ensuring that humanitarian assistance is provided effectively and ethically.
Translation: A Vital Role in Saving Lives
Translators are indispensable assets in humanitarian response, serving as the linguistic bridge between aid organizations and affected populations. By ensuring accurate and culturally appropriate communication, translators contribute significantly to the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian efforts. Their work is vital in saving lives, alleviating suffering, and promoting human dignity. As the world continues to face complex humanitarian challenges, the importance of translation in facilitating effective response cannot be overstated.
