5 Human Rights NGOs Making The World A Better Place
Working to make the world safer, fairer, and more just is a mission that many organizations are dedicated to. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are among those leading the charge in defending human rights around the globe. Here are five remarkable NGOs that are doing extraordinary work on behalf of those who cannot always defend themselves:
Amnesty International
Founded in 1961, London-based Amnesty International is one of the most recognizable names in human rights advocacy. Over seven million members and supporters in 150 countries make this non-profit organization one of the largest civil societies worldwide. Amnesty works by investigating and researching abuses of human rights around the world, then developing strategies to prevent them from happening again. It has had widespread success tackling issues such as homophobic discrimination, oppressive military rule, unjust incarceration without trial, access to healthcare, and economic exploitation.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
One of the most renowned healthcare charities in the world, MSF was founded in 1971 by a group of committed doctors and journalists who were determined to provide essential medical care to people living in conflict zones or regions suffering from natural disasters or disease outbreaks. In 2020 alone MSF teams provided emergency aid across 60 countries worldwide with projects focusing on treating patients with HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis; providing reproductive health care; helping refugees affected by conflict; fighting malnutrition; preventing outbreaks like Ebola; and addressing maternal mortality rates.
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch (HRW) is an international non-governmental organization based out of New York City that focuses on collecting evidence about human rights violations around the globe and then using litigation, policy development, and public pressure campaigns to advocate for change. Key areas tackled by HRW include LGBTIQA+ rights; women’s empowerment; justice for victims of genocide; reforms within detention centers; safeguarding children from violence or abuse; improving international humanitarian law compliance among armed forces as well as strengthening global freedom of expression laws.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Established after WWII as part of The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 319(IV), UNHCR works tirelessly to tackle displacement crises affecting millions globally due to war and persecution (apart from supporting those displaced through natural disasters). To address this it provides sheltering solutions such as refugee camps or host communities; secures legal protection and assistance in acquiring vital documents like identity papers or birth certificates; helps facilitate safe repatriation where possible while maintaining ongoing relief operations during times of crisis.
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Founded initially back in 1933 at Albert Einstein’s personal request IRC is an NGO dedicated to supporting clients – particularly families – uprooted due to forced migration situations typically occurring because governments have either failed or refused t take necessary steps towards protecting citizens’ safety or livelihoods e.g. escaping famine/persecution/violence, etc. To this end it runs programs across 40 countries including Greece & Serbia offering food & medicine provisions; water & sanitation services alongside mental health support initiatives plus employment opportunities catered specifically towards refugees’ needs – all while making sure they can acquire legal documentation necessary for their future security in new host countries