{"id":1977,"date":"2026-03-03T16:56:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T15:56:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/helpinghands.fr\/?p=1977"},"modified":"2026-05-07T20:02:44","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T18:02:44","slug":"differences-between-ngos-and-humanitarian-associations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/helpinghands.fr\/en\/differences-entre-ong-association-humanitaire\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the difference between an NGO and a humanitarian association?"},"content":{"rendered":"

We often hear NGOs and humanitarian associations referred to as if they were the same thing. But while their missions may be similar, there are important differences between the two.<\/p>\n

Understanding these nuances gives us a better grasp of how the world of solidarity and commitment<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What is an NGO?<\/h2>\n

An NGO, or Non-Governmental Organisation, is a structure that is independent of governments. It acts without being directly dependent on a government, even though it may receive public funding.<\/p>\n

\u00a0The term NGO has no precise legal definition in French law. It is a common name, often used to designate an association with international or humanitarian activities. They operate in a variety of fields, including human rights, the environment, health, education and economic development.<\/div>\n

M\u00e9decins Sans Fronti\u00e8res, for example, provides emergency medical care in war zones and during natural disasters. Greenpeace, for its part, works to protect the environment through worldwide campaigns.<\/p>\n

What is a humanitarian association?<\/h2>\n

One humanitarian association<\/a> is a not-for-profit organisation whose aim is to help people in difficulty. It can operate at local, national or international level.<\/p>\n

In France, an association is generally governed by the law of 1901. It can be made up entirely of volunteers or operate with a small salaried team.<\/p>\n

An association of general interest is an association under the 1901 law that :<\/div>\n