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Humanitarian aid is assistance given to people in distress by individuals, organisations, or governments to relieve suffering. The term often carries an international connotation, but this is not always the case. Many full time, professional humanitarian aid organisations exist, both within government (USAID, DFID), and as private voluntary organizations (or non-governmental organisations, e.g. Oxfam, Mercy Corps). The International Committee of the Red Cross is unique in being mandated by international treaty to uphold the Geneva Conventions.
It is often distinguished from non-refoulement.