In an increasingly polarized global landscape, civil society organizations face a crucial ethical and operational dilemma: how to intervene effectively in conflicts where political narratives overshadow human suffering?
Selectivity, while inevitable, requires a methodological framework that stands firm against the pressure of political debates, prioritizing a coherent and seamless humanitarian approach. The VISIBLES project, in its annual edition, has developed a protocol for territory selection based on principles that seek to transcend geopolitics to focus on the direct impact on the population.
The VISIBLES selection methodology is based on a single, non-partisan principle: humanitarianism above politics. While it is undeniable that politics is the root cause of most conflicts, this initiative’s mandate is to address their direct consequences on the civilian population. This approach avoids evaluating the justifications or motivations of the actors in conflict, concentrating exclusively on one objective criterion: the direct, disproportionate, or prolonged impact on civilians in a territory.
The eligibility criteria for a territory in a given year are not based on the moral condemnation of a state or the validation of a political group. Instead, the process is guided by a rigorous investigation of the following factors:
- Direct Impact on the Civilian Population: Priority is given to regions where the non-combatant population is a target or victim of violence, the destruction of basic infrastructure, and forced displacement. The magnitude of this impact is the main factor, regardless of the nature or scale of the conflict.
- Inequitable Vulnerability: The protocol recognizes that, in any confrontation, human suffering may not be equivalent. It analyzes the disproportionate impact that a conflict has on the civilian population of one territory compared to others. This analysis seeks to identify the most vulnerable population directly affected by the hostilities.
- Humanitarianism over Causes: The project adheres to the premise that human suffering is a fact, not an opinion. The existence of significant civilian suffering, caused by an attack or an escalation of hostilities in a territory, is sufficient to consider its inclusion. This approach separates the act of the victim from the perpetrator and commits to a principle of universal support for the affected population.
The implementation of this protocol is complex and often generates internal debate, as demonstrated by the discussions surrounding the MMXXV edition of the project VISIBLES. In deciding to include a territory, it is recognized that the complexity of suffering cannot be minimized. The impact on a population in its territory, whether from the actions of a non-state group or the response of a state, represents a direct challenge to human well-being. The decision to intervene does not imply approval of an act or a minimization of the suffering of others; it simply reaffirms that humanitarianism must be the main driver of action.
Ultimately, the VISIBLES framework represents an attempt to reorient the focus of public discussion from the geopolitical to the human. By basing its decisions on the suffering of civilians and not on the narratives of states, the initiative seeks to maintain its credibility, objectivity, and, most importantly, its ability to continue fulfilling its fundamental mission: to serve the population beyond politics.
Mercedes Carolina DURAN | Founder ONG Pim Pam Pum
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