The Politics and Everyday Practice of International Humanitarianism

Abstract

Through a combination of eleven in-depth case studies of humanitarian emergencies and thematic chapters which cover key concepts, actors, and activities, this book explores the work of the largest international humanitarian agencies. Its central argument is that politics plays a fundamental role in determining humanitarian needs, practices, and outcomes. In making this argument, the book highlights the many challenges and dilemmas facing humanitarian agencies in the contemporary world. It covers significant ground—temporally, geographically, and thematically. The case study chapters range from the late 1960s to the present and include emergencies in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Europe. The thematic chapters are divided into three sections: the first explains key concepts and trends in international humanitarianism; the second discusses how the work of international humanitarian agencies interacts with a range of other actors—including media, celebrities, donors, states, civil society, military forces, and armed groups—who have significant impacts on humanitarian response and outcomes; and the third turns to the operations and activities undertaken by aid agencies on a day-to-day basis.