Minds On

The importance of NGOs

Consider the importance of NGOs.

Press ‘Hint’ to reveal what an NGO is.

NGO: Non-governmental organizations are non-profit organizations that do not receive funding from any government and operate from donations.
  • How do NGOs respond to concerns focusing on economic, environmental, political, and/or social topics? How do they offer support or take action?
  • How might this be similar or different from government support?

Complete the Ways NGOs Respond activity in your notebook or using the following fillable activity document. You may also record your thoughts using another method of your choice.

Press the Activity button to access the Ways NGOs Respond.

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Action

Roles of NGOs

Non-governmental organizations or NGOs are non-profit organizations that do not receive funding from any government and operate from donations. These types of organizations focus on addressing various environmental, social, and political areas of concern.

NGOs strive to make the world a better place and are not limited to one aspect of human rights, development, or humanitarian actions. They seek to cover a wide range of concerns or areas of need.

Record some examples of various NGOs using a method of your choice.

Press ‘Possible Responses’ to reveal a list of examples of NGOs.

Some examples of NGOs include:

CARE Canada

WaterAid

World Vision

The Canadian Red Cross

Greenpeace

Oxfam International

World Animal Protection Canada

One Acre Fund

Water First

World Wildlife Fund

Save the Children

Transparent Hands

Animal Alliance Canada

Doctors Without Borders

Helping others around the world

Working together as a global community and supporting all nations is an important component of developing strong international relations.

Four hands, each holding an item. Items are a globe, a growing plant in a pile of soil, a first aid kit and a water droplet.

When issues arise, the global response to support one another either through governmental support or NGO support, is significant.

These supports may be in response to environmental, economic, social, or political issues.

Consider what types of support might be required by a region impacted by a natural disaster.

Press ‘Hint’ to reveal guidelines that would inform your response.

What would a region require if there was an earthquake, flood, or other natural disaster? What supports might they need from other countries or NGOs?

Complete the Supporting the Global Community activity in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. You may also record your thoughts using another method of your choice.

Press the Activity button to access the Supporting the Global Community.

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Press ‘Possible Responses’ to reveal examples of supports.

Water, first aid supplies, food, clothing, generators for electricity, building materials for infrastructure, etc.

Press the following tabs to access the different types of responses.

When a natural disaster occurs, the government of the impacted country or region begins to provide support and assistance. They are the first to provide care and support. The global community is mindful of the efforts taken internally by a country in order to address the concern.

If and when the needs of the impacted communities increase and require additional support, such assistance may be provided through an established international humanitarian response system. This response system is made up of organizations that include the United Nations, the Red Cross, and other non-governmental organizations.

In order to address various areas of need, many efforts come from international governments and NGOs. When providing such supports, it is important to consult local partners and work with local governments. This relationship helps to ensure that proper care is provided in a coordinated and focused manner. This also helps to ensure that specific areas of need are being addressed in an adequate way.

Student Success

Think-Pair-Share

Consider how the Canadian government and some NGOs attempt to address these needs. Why are these efforts important? If possible, share your thoughts with a partner. You can also record your thoughts using a method of your choice.

Press the following tabs to access more information about the supports offered by the different entities.

For example, the Canadian Red Cross relies on donations, partnerships, public grants, and program revenue to deliver primary health care programs, relief supplies, water and sanitation, and shelter.

In collaboration with the government of Canada, the Emergency Disaster Assistance Fund (EDAF) is a fund administered by the Canadian Red Cross Society, which provides support to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) emergency operations.

The Government of Canada provides assistance on the basis of what the most urgent needs are. This may include safe drinking water, sanitation services, health care, food, and shelter. This usually means providing financial support to humanitarian organizations who are responding to the concern, such as United Nations agencies, the Red Cross Movement, or non-governmental organizations.

Such financial supports and programs include:

  • Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements, which provide financial assistance to provincial and territorial governments
  • Humanitarian projects like Global Affairs Canada’s international humanitarian assistance projects
  • Central Emergency Response Fund - Canada provides funding to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund to support UN response efforts
  • Emergency Disaster Assistance Fund - Canada makes allocations through the Canadian Red Cross in support of its operations
  • Canadian Foodgrains Bank Food Assistance Fund - Canada makes allocations through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, which provides food assistance
  • Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund - Canada makes allocations through the Humanitarian Coalition, which provides food, shelter, health, and sanitation services

Additional supports may include:

  • providing items from an emergency relief stockpile managed by the Canadian Red Cross
  • providing Emergency Health Response Units (ERUs) managed by the Canadian Red Cross
  • deploying the Disaster Assistance Response Team to help support civilian-led humanitarian options

Source: Information is provided by the Government of Canada website.

Complete the following true or false questions. If the answer is false, consider the reason why.

Select the correct answer.

Press ‘Corrections’ to reveal why some statements were false.

  • Multiple Choice #3: When a natural disaster occurs, it is not important to consult with the local government to promote a coordinated effort which is organized and meaningful.

This is a false statement. When a natural disaster occurs, it is important to consult with the local government to promote a coordinated effort that is organized and meaningful. The local government is the first point of contact and needs to be valued and respected.

  • Multiple Choice #4: International governments are the first to provide assistance after a natural weather incident occurs.

This is a false statement. Governments from the impacted nation are the first to provide assistance if a natural disaster occurs. If/when the government requires assistance, then international governments and NGOs may offer assistance.

Consolidation

Needed responses

Consider the following example of a natural weather occurrence and the outcomes which followed.

Press ‘A Natural Weather Occurrence’ to reveal its details.

Freezing rain primarily occurs during the winter months and develops as snow. Then, as it falls, it encounters warmer air, causing it to melt, and as it hits the ground, it freezes instantly. This natural occurrence can happen regularly in cold climates but has the potential to become problematic, as the weight of the layers of ice can damage trees and hydro lines. As a result, prolonged power outages could occur and/or damage from falling branches.

Consider what responses might be needed and how these concerns might be addressed.

Respond to the following questions about the event and the resources which may need to be provided. Use your own ideas and information from the Action section and, if possible, additional research to answer the questions.

  • Explore how this issue might be addressed. What levels of government might offer assistance? What type of assistance could be offered? Could any international organizations offer assistance if needed?
  • How can NGOs support the impacted area?
  • What resources might be needed?
  • What can be done to ensure a response is effective and long-lasting?
  • In what ways does the support directed to the affected region attempt to address the issue? What else do you think needs to be done?

Complete the Responses to a Natural Occurrence activity in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. You may also use a method of your choice.

Press the Activity button to access the Responses to a Natural Occurrence.

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Thinking about what we have learned

Respond to the following questions and record your ideas using a method of your choice.

  • How do international governments, NGOs, and governments of impacted regions respond to an issue such as a natural disaster?
  • What are some ways in which the Canadian government responds to different disasters and emergencies around the world?
  • Are all responses the same regardless of what type of issue has occurred? Why or why not?

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel...

Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.