Opinion

In a humanitarian emergency, it is necessary to listen to communities, respect their dignity and trust the organisations that know the territory and work on the ground.

As governments around the world increase their investments in humanitarian assistance, they are recognising a simple reality: today's crises are becoming more frequent, more complex, and more interconnected.

"Not necessarily a space with swings and goals, but places where you don't have to produce, compete, buy or demonstrate anything. A bench in the square. A library. A neighborhood association." 

On 17 January, a new global treaty entered into force that finally allows countries to establish marine protected areas on the high seas—ocean regions that lie beyond the jurisdiction of any single nation.

Despite the importance of physical distance, which can mean health these days, volunteering has shown different, beautiful, and in many aspects, new colours of social connection and solidarity. 

All are worried about their organisations, their staff and their beneficiaries, but let’s not be afraid to be human and acknowledge that we are juggling other concerns too.

We are facing an unknown situation, in which uncertainty, the lack of information regarding the virus itself, can arouse feelings such as fear, frustration and even symptoms compatible with anxiety and depression.

It is time to do what it takes, to be relentless in protecting the elderly, the vulnerable, those without a home to stay in, undocumented migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.  

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