Humanitarian expeditions focus on enhancing access to education, healthcare and basic human needs. These travel projects improve overall well-being and promote a more sustainable future.
Tier 1 humanitarian NGOs are renowned within the industry for their principled, top-quality humanitarian programming. They treat their staff well (all but MSF), and offer excellent salaries.
Safe Harbors
In the world of travel management, Safe Harbors is one of the top agencies specializing in humanitarian travel. They have a large team of highly trained travel professionals who are Duty of Care experts. They work closely with organizations to develop a travel strategy that is integrated into overall organizational, project or proposal strategies.
A safe harbor is a provision of a statute or regulation that specifies certain conduct that will not violate the given rule, in contrast with more-vague standards such as “reckless driving.” In the world of travel, a safe harbor is a contractual arrangement that provides NGOs (non-governmental organizations) with reduced travel costs and other benefits in exchange for complying with certain specified requirements.
Safe Harbors Travel Group was founded in 1984 and has offices around the globe. Their recent merger with Tennessee based Wright Travel doubled their footprint and allowed them to offer even more competitive rates and services to NGOs.
Travel for Good
Travel for Good is a non-profit that strives to transform travel’s impact on nature and local culture while providing sustainable jobs. Their mission is to safeguard the world’s most iconic destinations and promote responsible tourism practices. They work closely with destination leaders and global organizations, including the United Nations and the Eco-Skies CarbonChoice program of United Airlines.
They offer a variety of programs for individuals and groups, from kindergarten teaching and construction to environmental initiatives and animal care. They also offer a number of specialized itineraries that combine volunteer service with cultural activities, making them an excellent choice for families and students.
Humanitarian trips offer travelers the opportunity to learn from the world around them, experience a new perspective and give back to those who need it most. In addition to the positive effects these trips have on their communities, they can inspire travelers to make lasting changes by promoting responsible travel practices at home and abroad.
World Relief
While NGOs and aid workers are common participants in humanitarian travel, trips can be open to anyone willing to make a difference. Humanitarian travel is a way to see the world, connect with other cultures, and learn new skills while making an impact that lasts long after your trip is over.
Founded in 1944—just a year before World War II’s end—World Relief is an international Christian organization that focuses on empowering local churches to serve the most vulnerable. They address the global problems of extreme poverty, violence and oppression, and refugee resettlement.
They have a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and have earned the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency. Whether they’re providing food to struggling families or teaching refugees English language and citizenship preparation, they empower their communities to live more productive lives. You can make a monetary donation to World Relief through their website. They also have a variety of internship and volunteer opportunities available.
Life for Relief and Development
In times of disaster, Life for Relief and Development responds quickly to provide food, water, emergency medicine, and temporary shelter. They also focus on preparedness and long-term recovery efforts to help communities return to self-sustainability.
This charity has a four-star rating, meaning it is highly trustworthy and efficient. It uses donors’ money wisely to accomplish its mission.
The charity provides orphan sponsorship, which gives vulnerable children the security they need to grow and develop into adults who can meet their full potential. Additionally, their project Here to Hear helps those with hearing impairments. Lastly, they offer a variety of other projects that help people across the globe, including providing clean drinking water and improving agricultural techniques. They are headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, and operate globally. The charity offers pretravel evaluation for medical, dental and obstetric conditions to reduce the likelihood of illness while on assignment. This prevents staff from having to be repatriated, which diverts organizational resources away from responding to the community’s needs.
World Vision
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization that works with children, families and their communities worldwide to tackle the root causes of poverty and injustice. The organization has a strong emphasis on child protection, clean water, economic development, education, faith in action, food and agriculture, health and U.S. work.
In times of crisis, they take a far-reaching approach to offering relief, including preparedness by monitoring signs and indicators and risk reduction. They also prepare stocks and supplies, train local teams and volunteers, and rely on extensive partnerships. They continue a long-term recovery process to help communities reclaim self-sufficiency after disaster.
The organization has a high percentage of donated funds used for programs and low administrative expenses, earning it a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and the GuideStar Platinum seal of transparency. However, it has received some negative press with serious allegations. One concern is that the organization promotes a politicized agenda and places sole blame for the continuing conflict in Gaza on Israel, failing to address legitimate Israeli security concerns or Palestinian terrorism against Israeli civilians.
International Rescue Committee
The IRC is dedicated to helping people forced to flee from war or disaster. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC helps refugees survive and rebuild their lives.
The IRC begins a health care program in Poland, partnering with the Polish trade union movement Solidarity. Eight years later, the IRC is working to assist Mozambican refugees in Malawi and launching community rehabilitation programs in Afghanistan. After the first Gulf War, the IRC comes to the aid of hundreds of thousands of Kurdish refugees who fled Saddam Hussein’s regime. The IRC also launches community development programs in the former Yugoslavia, dealing with the consequences of ethnic cleansing and subsequently launching comprehensive community rehabilitation programs in Bosnia.
When the worst Ebola outbreak in history hit West Africa, the IRC helped to keep healthcare workers safe and protect communities by educating thousands. As a long-time supporter of the organization, Phoenix native Debra Rosenberg chose to preserve her connection with the IRC through a legacy gift in her estate plan.
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a UN agency that deals with global health issues and sets standards for disease control, health care, and medicines. It also conducts research and education programs, with a primary goal of improving access to health care for underserved populations.
When major disease outbreaks occur, the WHO takes the lead in coordinating the international response, as it did with the 2014 Ebola crisis and the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. However, it has faced criticism over slow and mishandled responses to other crises such as the SARS outbreak in 2003.
The WHO is funded primarily through mandatory dues paid by member nations and through voluntary donations from governments and private partners. Voluntary contributions are often earmarked, limiting the WHO’s ability to set its own course of action. The agency’s director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has introduced reforms to increase the speed of its response and improve accountability in the face of criticism.
CRS
The organization provides a variety of programs that focus on aiding those in need. They offer an array of experiences, ranging from teaching in Nepal to sustainable development projects. These trips are a way to immerse yourself in a new culture and make an impact on the lives of those around you.
They help communities address their social problems and learn self-sustaining development strategies. They also assist individuals affected by conflict based on their real or perceived race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, disability, and more.
Many people choose to travel for humanitarian reasons in order to support the causes they believe in. Travel agencies specializing in humanitarian travel can help you organize a trip that will be both meaningful and safe. They can provide you with expert advice and assistance with visa requirements, as well as local laws and customs. They can even help you find a project that fits your specific skillset and interests.
Intersos
INTERSOS, founded in 1992, intervenes with immediate relief to people whose lives are threatened by war or natural disasters. They are committed to a set of values and principles: solidarity, justice, equality of opportunity and respect for diversity and coexistence.
Among the main projects of INTERSOS, in the field of human rights, there are women’s empowerment programmes and the protection of children from sexual abuse or trafficking. Community engagement is also an important area of activity, with the organisation holding awareness-raising sessions and campaigns to promote human rights.
Generally, positions require a minimum of previous international experience and a high level of technical professionalism and adherence to INTERSOS’ humanitarian principles and mission. A number of specific competencies are needed to be successful in different areas of the organisation, and these depend on the type of position. Those with the right skills and motivation can find themselves in very rewarding jobs in conflict zones.