By A. Donini, L. Minear, and P. Walker. Journal of Refugee Studies.
The Iraq crisis has contributed to a deep malaise in the humanitarian community. With humanitarian agencies confronted with major policy and institutional survival issues, the future of humanitarianism may well hinge on how these issues are addressed. This article explores the malaise at the intersection of politics, principles, and pragmatism. It argues that unless urgent action is taken by the humanitarian community itself, principled and independent humanitarian action may become a thing of the past, especially in high profile crises where the superpower and its allies have political or security interests at stake. The article concludes with some specific suggestions regarding a process for the redress of humanitarianism.