Why small humanitarian organizations matter more than ever
by: Julia Aitken, Program Director
In a world plagued by economic, social, and environmental crises, small humanitarian organizations are the bridge between good intentions and real impact. Their agility and human connection often mean the difference between delay and decisive action — between despair and hope.
Across the globe, we’ve seen this truth play out time and again. In Sudan, for example, grassroots networks — unrestrained by bureaucracy and rooted in lived experience — are leading the humanitarian response after the collapse of state systems. Local professionals, students, and volunteers who know the language, the risks and the realities are saving lives where larger institutions cannot.
This effectiveness is not a coincidence; it’s by design.
Smaller organizations thrive because they are close to the communities they serve. They move quickly, adapt constantly, and listen deeply — to those in need, to those who give, and to the moment in front of them. Their strength lies not in scale, but in connection.
Aman Lara was born from this very truth. In August 2021, as the world watched the rapid collapse of Afghanistan’s government, a group of serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans, and dedicated Canadian volunteers refused to stand by.
They knew that the people who had risked everything to support Canada’s mission were now in grave danger — and that only a nimble, coordinated effort could reach them in time.What began as an urgent call to action became a lasting mission: to enable safe passage, protection, and pathways to opportunity for refugees, displaced individuals, and those at risk.
Agility in Action: Local Knowledge, Swift Response, Lasting Impact
Since its inception in August 2021, Aman Lara has helped more than 7700 people escape conflict zones in Afghanistan and Ukraine — with 6,100 now safely rebuilding their lives with hope, dignity, and freedom in Canada.
Our impact lies not only in numbers but in how we work.
We act fast because we stay close — close to the realities on the ground, to our trusted networks, and to the people we serve. Our local partners provide real-time intelligence and context in places too dangerous or complex for others to reach, while our person-centred approach ensures that every decision begins with dignity and ends with safety.
When a young woman faced forced marriage to a Taliban member, our team mobilized swiftly but carefully — coordinating on-the-ground resources, assessing risk, and waiting for the right moment to act. When the time was right, we established safe corridors and brought her home to Canada.
When a brother and sister from a persecuted ethnic group were separated as children, our local networks helped them reunite — restoring not just their family but their future.
When the Shah family, targeted for assisting Canadian missions, needed urgent evacuation, we secured their safe passage and supported their resettlement in Canada so their daughters could attend school and dream freely once again.
Each of these stories began with a single act of trust — from someone who believed that small organizations can deliver significant impact.
”The people at Aman Lara and their partners on the ground are the true heroes. I asked for their help —and they showed up. They are incredibly resourceful, agile, professional, knowledgeable, careful, and can act where government entities cannot.”
—Consular Management Officer, Global Affairs Canada.
These stories also represent the type of giving that resonates deeply with Canadians— the assurance that donations are used efficiently, compassionately, and with direct, visible impact on those who need it most.
Why supporting small humanitarian organizations matters
Small humanitarian organizations are not the “alternative” to large-scale aid; they are its complement and conscience. We reach where others cannot, stay when others leave, and operate with the accountability that comes from being close to both donors and those we serve.
For donors, this means confidence that their contributions translate quickly into tangible, measurable change: a family reunited, a child returned to safety, a life rebuilt.
For the people we help, it means being seen, understood, and supported by those who know the path to safety is not just physical — but deeply human.
But sustaining this kind of impact takes more than courage — it takes commitment.
Behind every evacuation, every family resettled, and every story of hope restored is a network of dedicated staff, volunteers, and local partners who make it possible. Their work depends on the generosity of people like you. Without your support, this life-saving network simply cannot continue to operate at the scale and speed that crises demand.
Your donation doesn’t just change lives — it keeps the engine of compassion running. It ensures we can stay ready to respond the moment a call for help comes in.
Giving Tuesday: A chance to
make your impact count
Philanthropy, at its heart, is not about wealth; it’s about will —the quiet resolve to act when it matters most, to turn empathy into agency.
As global crises grow more complex, the quiet determination of individual givers across Canada reminds us that change begins with choice. Each donation, no matter the size, fuels a network of care that restores lives and reaffirms shared humanity.
This Giving Tuesday, December 2, join the global movement for good.
Ask yourself: What kind of impact do I want my compassion to have?
If your answer is long-term, life-saving, and deeply human, then your values already align with Aman Lara’s mission.
We invite you to stand with us — to help close the gaps between crisis and recovery, between danger and dignity.
