The League's Humanitarian Work

The League's humanitarian efforts

Successful humanitarian work:

How did the Refugees Committee help refugees?

• It provided humanitarian aid (e.g. food, clothing, and shelter) to refugees displaced by war, persecution, or other crises.

• It facilitated the repatriation of refugees and helped them return home when it was safe to do so. For those unable to return, the committee helped to find new homes and communities in other countries willing to accept refugees.

• The committee advocated for the legal rights and protection of refugees to ensure they got adequate support and fair treatment.

• The committee often provided medical assistance, including access to inoculations and further healthcare.

• The League helped over 500,000 refugees and former prisoners of war to return home after the First World War by providing them with a 'Nansen Passport', which was the first internationally recognised identity card for stateless refugees. They also provided refugee camps and prevented diseases from spreading.

How did the Slavery Commission help people?

• The Slavery Commission conducted thorough investigations into slave trade in various regions of the world and publicised its findings. This raised awareness for slavery and the need to work together to eradicate it. This advocacy helped shape public opinion and garner political support for anti-slavery work.

• The Slavery Commission was involved in developing and adopting various conventions and treaties that aimed at banning slavery and related practices, such as the forced labour of indigenous peoples and human trafficking.

• The Slavery Commission provided support to abolitionist movements and organizations working to combat slavery and advocate for the rights of enslaved people.

• The Slavery Commission organised raids against slave traders in Africa and Burma and around 200,000 were freed.

How did the Health Committee help people?

• The Health Committee funded research into developing vaccines for infectious diseases and carried out work to prevent the spread of disease.

• The Health Committee facilitated international cooperation among member states to address common health challenges and prevent the spread of diseases.  

• It promoted health education and awareness campaigns to inform the public about important health issues, such as sanitation, hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention. 

• The Health Committee supported efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in member states, including the development of healthcare systems, training of healthcare professionals, and provision of essential medical supplies and equipment.

• The League of Nations helped to expand and aid the distribution of vaccinations, such as the smallpox vaccine.

How did the International Labour Organisation help people?

• The League improved working conditions by banning lead from paint and limiting the hours that small children were allowed to work.

• The ILO established international labour standards, including minimum wage, working hours, occupational safety and health, child labour, and freedom of association. By setting minimum standards, the ILO aimed to ensure that workers were treated fairly and had decent working conditions.

• It sought to eliminate discrimination in the workplace and promote the principle of equal pay for equal work.

• The ILO provided technical assistance and expertise to member states to help them improve labour laws, policies, and practices. 

• The ILO supported the right of workers to engage in collective bargaining and form trade unions.

• The ILO facilitated international cooperation among governments, employers, and workers' organizations to address common labour challenges and promote solidarity among the global labour movement.

How else did the League help people?

• The League recommended marking international shipping lanes and produced an international highway code for road users.

• The League fairly governed former German territories during the 1920s. 

• The League sent economic experts to Austria and Hungary to help them recover from the economic crisis caused by the First World War.

Unsuccessful humanitarian work:

What troubles did the Refugees Committee face?

• The committee struggled with limited financial resources and manpower preventing it from providing extensive aid to the swathes of refugees and displaced people in need.

• Political rivalries and the lack of a general agreement among the League's member states meant that effective responses to the refugee crisis, like coordinated action, were not taken and the League's work proved ineffective.

• The League lacked the legal power to protect refugees' rights and ensure their safety. Therefore, refugees remained vulnerable to persecution and exploitation.

• The committee primarily focused on providing immediate relief to refugees rather than addressing the underlying causes of displacement, such as armed conflict, persecution, and economic instability. Without efforts to resolve these root causes, the refugee crisis persisted.

What were the issues with the Slavery Commission?

• The League of Nations lacked its own enforcement mechanisms, so its ability to enforce anti-slavery measures relied heavily on member states being willing to comply with recommendations and treaties. 

• It relied on voluntary contributions from member states, the lack of which hampered its ability to fund significant anti-slavery initiatives worldwide.

• Member states sometimes prioritized their own economic or strategic interests over the Commission's anti-slavery objectives.

• While the commission aimed to prevent future abuses, its work failed to address the perspectives and concerns of those disproportionately affected by slavery. 

What troubles did the Health Committee face?

• The Health Committee operated with limited financial and human resources.

• Politics often influenced decision-making, which lead to disagreements and delays in implementing health policies and programs.

• Coordination among member states and other international organizations involved in public health efforts was often poor, so it was difficult to respond to new and emerging health crises. 

What troubles did the International Labour Organisation face?

• While the ILO was established as part of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, not all countries became members initially. 

• Disagreements over labour policies, including issues such as the bargaining powers of workers, trade unions, and the role of government in regulating labour markets, sometimes hindered the organization's ability to reach consensus on key issues.

• The ILO was unable to ensure compliance with its conventions and recommendations. While member states were encouraged to ratify and implement ILO standards, there were no penalties for non-compliance, which limited the organisation's effectiveness.

• The International Labour Organisation tried to persuade members to adopt a maximum 48-hour week, but only a few members adopted it. 

• Economic challenges, such as the Great Depression, hampered the ILO's efforts to improve worker's rights.