Lions Clubs and World Humanitarian Day

Dr N. Munal Meitei,
Environmentalist, email- nmunall@yahoo.in

World Humanitarian Day is commemorated on August 19 since 2009 to pay tribute to those 22 humanitarian workers who lost their lives and injured in the Canal Hotel Baghdad bombings while on sacrificing duties. This day also honor to all the workers across the world who support and protect the people most in need. The day aims to promote the well-being, dignity, safety and security for both the victims and aid workers. The theme for 2024 is “Act For Humanity.”

Lions Clubs International is the largest International nonprofit Organisation founded by Melvin Jones since 1917. Melvin Jones idea was selfless service to others would create a better and beautiful community – and a peaceful world – for all and working together could do much more than individual acting alone. Now, it’s nearly 107 years after the founding, the Lions Clubs International – has 1.4 million Lion members in 49,000 clubs over 200 countries across the world to act for sacrificing service for humanity.

Humanitarian action are being; to save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity during and aftermath the disasters and strengthen preparedness during the future occurrence of such situations. Quick response humanitarian aids may be for earthquakes, floods, cyclones and hurricanes. Road accidents, collapsed buildings, mines and industrial disasters are also quick responses whereas drought, famine, pandemics and food shortages etc. are slow humanitarians.

Today, ‘humanitarian aid’ refers to logistical and material help like food, shelter, medicine and education. It’s often deployed to meet immediate short-term needs until institutions like the government can step in. Humanitarian interventions do not focus only on immediate requirements, but also address long-term issues. They can only be addressed through the efforts of the entire human race. In the 21st century, health is shared as the indispensable human right.

Where there’s a need, there’s a Lion. Whatever the situation it may be, Lions stand ready to rush in emergencies and eventualities to help. The humanitarian efforts of Lions are notable. Lions humanitarian service and grants that impart lives globally, and encourage peace and international understanding. Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) supports with humanitarian aid where it’s needed most.

Hunger is linked to heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. It can also cause premature births, low birth weights and stunted infant development. Food-focused humanitarian aids immediately save lives, improve health and protect livelihood. WASH stands for water, sanitation and hygiene. Without proper WASH, people are at risk for thirst-related issues and water-borne diseases. Globally over 2 billion people don’t have access to safe drinking water. Nearly half of the world’s population can’t access safely-managed sanitation, either.

The World Bank predicts over 140 million people will migrate within their countries due to climate change by 2050, unless action is taken. In the race against the climate crisis, we can’t leave anyone behind. Natural disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity, resulting in more people becoming victims. Also, multifarious environmental challenges are forcing the global communities in a pernicious ways needing humanitarian aids.

Disasters like floods, earthquakes and hurricanes often destroy homes or force people to flee. Refugees traveling to new places need shelters. Most humanitarian organizations including the Lions Clubs International give priority on shelter by providing plastic sheeting and matting to build their temporary homes.

There are eight Lions global service causes such as Childhood cancer, Diabetes, Disaster relief, Environment, Humanitarian, Hunger, Vision and Youth. From July 2023 to June 2024, LCIF has awarded 765 humanitarian related grants totaling Rs. 130 crore. On July 30, the devastating monsoon rains caused landslides in the district of Wayanad in Kerala. These massive landslides claimed more than 400 lives with 150 still missing. LCIF is responding immediately by mobilizing Disaster Relief Grants, including Rs. 83.60 lakh as a Major Catastrophe Grant, through the District 318D to assist the victims.

On 25 April, 2015, a devastating earthquake in Nepal took the lives of nearly 9,000 people, injuring almost 23,000 and destroyed about 500,000 homes. LCIF’s $ 4.7 million grants were sanctioned to MD325 to rebuild Nepal again.

The goal of humanitarian aid is to save lives and reduce suffering. If assistance only focuses on the short-term issues, it leaves communities in the lurch for the more challenging, long-term concerns. According to UN Strategy for Disaster Reduction, storms, floods and droughts have increased threefold over the last three decades. Because of population growth and urbanization, more people are affected by climate-related issues like temperature, food security, unsafe water, increased migration and diseases.

The 2024 Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO) calculate Rs. 4,555 billion requirement to assist 187 million people in need across 71 countries through 43 coordinated response plans. As of July 2024, funding amounts was to Rs. 1,025 billion only with a gap of more than Rs. 3,530 billion.

The golden rule for humanitarians is neutrality, impartiality and independence to provide the aids. Humanitarian aid meets physical needs like hunger and thirst, but it should fulfill their personal dignity that effect their emotion and mental health. Humanitarian action must be given on priority to the needs of distress without distinctions on basis of nationality, race, caste or creed, religious or political opinions.

Humanitarian spirit is at the core of every Lion. Helping Lions take this spirit of kindness to their communities through LCIF to provide Clubs and Districts to create a healthier, peaceful and happier world. LCIF supports the humanitarian work to improve health, education, environment and all-inclusiveness for people.

India having 1.42 billion is world’s most populous country with maximum people below poverty line. The country ranked 111 of 125 countries in Global Hunger Index with 6.7 million children going bed without proper food. A third of global burden of under nutrition are in India and around 74% of our people could not afford a healthy diet. Less than 20% of rural Indians have access to clean water and India had the fourth most fatalities from natural calamities during 2018.

The first Lions Clubs in India was opened in 1956 at Mumbai. Slowly it spread to all over the country. In Manipur, Lions Clubs of Imphal was officially inaugurated on March 14 and chartered on 22 June 1968. Since its inception, Lions of Manipur under District 322D are continuing to render with various humanitarian services to many needy peoples. Our District distributes essential relief items to various camps of the internally displaced people after the May 3rd crisis. We also contributed assistance to May 5 hailstorm victims with GI roofing sheets as to mention among many others.

Lions Clubs and Lion members are a good servicing force in nearly every corner of the world, always getting ready to act in all disasters and emergencies with our motto, “We Serve”. Long live Lionism.