Keyword Archives: humanitarian action
The Use of Evidence in Humanitarian Decision Making
This paper reports the results of a study undertaken during 2012 by Tufts University for the Assessment Capacities Project (ACAPS), as part of the latter’s “Operational Learning” strand of work. This study is designed to complement the work of ACAPS … Read More
Posted in Briefing Papers, Publications
Keywords: evidence-based practice, humanitarian action
Afghanistan: Humanitarianism in Uncertain Times
The Afghan crisis, now well into its fourth decade, has many layers. The military and political dimensions of the crisis grab the headlines. But the structural violence and poor governance that underpin it—grinding poverty, rampant abuse of power, criminalized economy, … Read More
Posted in Publications, Reports
Keywords: humanitarian action
The Golden Fleece
The Golden Fleece delves into questions that are rarely asked and seldom answered. It examines the impact of manipulation on the effectiveness of humanitarian action. The tension between fundamental humanitarian values – the prioritization of life-saving over all other considerations – and political or economic agendas is not new. Relief work has long been subject to manipulation by governments, warlords, public opinion, disembodied realpolitik, and to the calculations of humanitarians themselves. As Lt. Gen. Romeo Dallaire notes in his Foreward, “the sacrosanct principles of neutrality and humanitarian space have been used and abused by many in ways which ultimately benefit killers rather than the victims of armed conflict.”
Posted in Books, Publications
Keywords: humanitarian action
Corruption in Humanitarian Assistance: Perceptions, Gaps and Challenges
By Daniel Maxwell, Sarah Bailey, Paul Harvey, Peter Walker, Cheyanne Church and Kevin Savage (2012). Disasters , Vol. 36(1), pp. 140-160.
Posted in Peer-Reviewed Articles, Publications
Keywords: corruption, humanitarian action
Sex and Age Matter
Humanitarian aid is largely guided by anecdotes rather than evidence. Currently, the humanitarian system shows significant weaknesses in data collection, analysis and response in all stages of a crisis or emergency. As a result, the present humanitarian system is much less evidence-driven than it should be and than it would like to be.
Posted in Publications, Reports
Keywords: children, data collection, evidence-based practice, humanitarian action, women
Humanitarian Action in Pakistan 2005-2010
Over the past five years, Pakistan has witnessed three major crises affecting up to 18 million people.
Posted in Briefing Papers, Publications
Keywords: humanitarian action, politics
State-building, Counterterrorism, and Licensing Humanitarianism in Somalia
This new briefing paper explores the policy and operational implications of the current crises and the challenges to humanitarian action in Somalia. It examines how international state-building and counterterrorism objectives in Somalia have compromised the ability of international humanitarian actors to assist and protect vulnerable populations.
Posted in Briefing Papers, Publications
Keywords: humanitarian action, politics, terrorism
Humanitarianism in Sri Lanka: Lessons Learned?
This briefing paper summarizes the key issues and dynamics that have shaped the humanitarian experience in Sri Lanka and draws lessons that, if learned, may help inform humanitarian engagement in other international contexts.
Posted in Briefing Papers, Publications
Keywords: HA2015 Update, humanitarian action, Humanitarian Agenda 2015, politics
Afghanistan: Humanitarianism Unraveled?
Researchers at the Feinstein International Center (FIC) at Tufts University have embarked on a major two-year research project on Humanitarian Action and Politics. This project builds upon and expands on the earlier research on Humanitarian Agenda 2015 -- Principles, Power and Perceptions (HA2015) which involved 13 country case studies of local perceptions of humanitarian action and a synthesis report.
Posted in Briefing Papers, Publications
Keywords: HA2015 Update, humanitarian action, Humanitarian Action and Politics, politics
Professionalising the Humanitarian Sector
This study, commissioned by the UK’s Enhancing Learning and Research for Humanitarian Assistance project (ELRHA) and carried out by the Feinstein International Center in collaboration with RedR, comes after a decade in which the humanitarian enterprise has sought to develop global standards, codes and representative bodies, and amid increasing momentum for creating a global system for professional development, accreditation and association. The study explores the nature of professionalism today and sets out key recommendations which, if implemented, could increase accountability, raise the quality and consistency of humanitarian service, open up the profession to talented new recruits, and raise the status of the humanitarian service provider to a level on a par with other professional groups.
Posted in Publications, Reports
Keywords: evidence-based practice, humanitarian action, professionalization