Humanitarian action is guided by the following principle: Humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.
In humanitarian situations, the majority of texts are informative, to ensure that the relevant information reaches the communities who need it. Examples are a brochure to inform a community about hygiene measures to prevent the spread of cholera or information about asylum’s seekers rights.
According to Translators Without Borders (TWB), Interpreters and cultural mediators are key allies for humanitarian actors sensitive to the needs of those affected by disaster to receive and share information in their own language. Communication is aid and words build trust. Recognizing these essential principles of a people-centered humanitarian intervention, it is essential to build effective language bridges between people in need and those providing aid and services. Whenever humanitarian responders do not speak or understand the mother tongue of the person they serve, the risk of miscommunication, loss of critical information or misinformation is high, potentially leading to unnecessary suffering or loss of life.
Also, on moral grounds and for reasons of effectiveness, it is very important for translators and interpreters to provide the most professional and ethical services. That is why, in order to ensure professionalism, humanitarian translators and interpreters should adhere to professional codes of conduct such as:
Humanitarian interpreting and translation require the following:
Two-way proficiency, in target and source languages
Cultural competence
Accuracy
Neutrality
Confidentiality
Use of resources.
Interpreters and translators may be putting themselves while working on the field, most of the time in a dangerous environment that is psychologically difficult to handle, protection and assistance are necessary for them.
If you are a humanitarian /human rights NGO or international organization seeking professional language experts with humanitarian experience, you can count on us. Please contact us without obligation to discuss your requirements.
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