Key Moments
Finding PEACE in UNUSUAL Things | FAHAD RAHMAN AJHOR | TEDxKhulna University
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Key Moments
Humanitarian aid workers must remain neutral even when helping those involved in conflict, a principle that is both challenging and deeply flawed, leading to immense personal toll.
Key Insights
A humanitarian must remain impartial and neutral, even if it means providing aid to those who have caused harm, such as assisting a police officer who has been attacked by students they were policing.
The seven core principles of humanitarianism, including humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality, are aspirational but incredibly difficult to uphold in practice.
Humanitarian aid workers are at high risk, with hundreds dying annually while on duty, as evidenced by a list of deceased colleagues from various global crisis zones.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, aid workers faced profound ethical dilemmas, such as prioritizing aid distribution while dealing with the personal grief of losing colleagues and friends.
Finding peace is not about waiting for ideal circumstances but about actively seeking small positive moments and maintaining hope, even in the face of overwhelming hardship, by remembering 'everything will be fine in the end'.
Despite the immense personal sacrifice and emotional toll, humanitarian work is framed not as a heroic act but as a fundamental responsibility, a lifestyle choice driven by a commitment to humanity.
The difficult ethics of humanitarian impartiality
The speaker, a full-time humanitarian, introduces the concept of finding peace amidst chaos, often in unexpected places. He highlights the core principles of humanitarianism, such as impartiality and neutrality, which are essential but incredibly challenging to implement. An example is given of a situation where students attacked police officers, and both groups were injured. As a humanitarian, the speaker is faced with the dilemma of treating the most injured, regardless of their role in the conflict. This principle of neutrality means providing aid without considering the background or actions of the recipient, a standard that is deeply distressing and ethically complex when confronted with the reality of suffering caused by those involved in conflict. The speaker admits to struggling with this principle, often feeling biased and failing to live up to the ideal, yet emphasizing that it's a lifestyle and a responsibility rather than a heroic endeavor.
The personal cost of humanitarian service
The demanding nature of humanitarian work is underscored by the personal sacrifices involved. The speaker shares a slide listing hundreds of colleagues lost worldwide due to their work, including those from Algeria, Ethiopia, Iran, Palestine, Sudan, and Afghanistan. This stark reality illustrates the inherent dangers faced by aid workers. The talk emphasizes that this commitment is not about a savior complex but a profound sense of responsibility that transcends personal safety. It's a chosen lifestyle where the mission—serving humanity—is prioritized, even above the individual's well-being.
Navigating neutrality in practice
The challenge of neutrality is further illustrated with the example of aid distribution during a natural disaster. When relief supplies arrive, a humanitarian must ensure they reach everyone in need, regardless of their political affiliation or involvement in the conflict. This means providing aid to individuals who might belong to a regime that caused suffering, or to a political faction that has been part of a crisis. The speaker describes the internal conflict of having to help someone you might instinctively want to withhold aid from, highlighting the emotional and psychological toll this impartiality takes. It requires setting aside personal feelings and biases to adhere to the principle of universal service.
The blurred lines of conflict and care
The speaker poses a thought-provoking question about the mourning process for fallen humanitarian workers, especially when they are caught in the crossfire of conflicts they are trying to alleviate. He recounts the loss of colleagues from both the Palestinian Red Crescent and Israeli organizations who died while serving humanity. This duality highlights the impossible position humanitarians are often placed in, where their efforts to save lives can tragically lead to their own demise. The question of who to mourn and how becomes incredibly complex when the lines between conflict and aid become so intertwined, emphasizing the radical and difficult nature of the humanitarian identity.
Humanity amidst pandemic despair
During the COVID-19 pandemic, aid workers faced unprecedented challenges. The speaker shares two poignant stories. The first involves volunteers driving a hearse with a deceased COVID-19 victim, who, despite the somber task, were distracted by the price of goats at a market. This moment of seeming indifference led the speaker to question his own humanity. The second story recounts a situation where an ICU patient's family, unable to keep them in the hospital due to long waiting lists, requested to take the patient home for final moments, which tragically resulted in the patient's death shortly after leaving the hospital. The aid workers involved were overcome with grief and guilt, feeling like murderers despite the complex circumstances and the family's wishes, demonstrating the profound emotional burden of their work.
Finding peace in unexpected moments
These intense experiences, far from crushing the human spirit, paradoxically foster a deeper sense of humanity. The speaker posits that unilateral trauma can make individuals more compassionate and understanding of universal suffering. Peace, in this context, is found not in the absence of hardship, but in the recognition that 'we are not alone' in our struggles. This shared experience and mutual reliance, even in the darkest times, can lead to a profound sense of peace and connection.
The pursuit of small joys
The speaker encourages focusing on small, everyday positive experiences as a source of peace. Instead of searching for a singular, grand solution to life's problems, he suggests appreciating simple moments like sharing tea with a friend or finding humor in everyday situations, even amidst global crises. This practice of seeking out and cherishing these small joys can provide solace and perspective, preventing one from being entirely consumed by hardship. It’s about finding pockets of happiness and connection in unexpected places.
Maintaining hope: a commitment to peace
The talk concludes with a message of resilience and hope, drawing from the philosophy that 'everything will be fine in the end, and if it's not fine, it's not the end.' This mantra, combined with the practice of seeking small joys, is presented as a pathway to peace. The speaker acknowledges that life is full of challenges, personal struggles, and societal upheavals, but by consistently trying to find the good and maintaining hope, individuals can navigate these difficulties. The core message is that peace is an active pursuit, found not in the absence of problems, but in the mindset and actions taken to face them.
Mentioned in This Episode
●Organizations
Finding Peace Amidst Chaos
Practical takeaways from this episode
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Common Questions
Being a humanitarian is not just a title or a job, but a lifestyle and a set of core principles. It involves dedicating oneself to helping others, regardless of their background or affiliation, and often requires operating with impartiality and neutrality even in the most challenging circumstances.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
Mentioned as a location where humanitarian workers have lost their lives while serving.
Mentioned as a location where humanitarian workers have lost their lives while serving.
Mentioned as a location where humanitarian workers have lost their lives while serving.
Mentioned as a location where humanitarian workers have lost their lives while serving.
Mentioned in the context of Magen David Adom and the complexity of humanitarian work in conflict zones, where their personnel also die serving.
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