Archive:
The humanitarian principles — humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence — are under increased scrutiny and pressure. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to an increased understanding of the perceived and actual challenges humanitarians face in operational contexts as…
This article by Antonio Donini and Daniel Maxwell (2014) provides a first attempt at analysing the complex set of issues around remote management practices in insecure environments and their increased use. It looks at definitions and reviews existing published and…
As humanitarian actors increasingly operate in situations of internal armed conflict, the importance of negotiating with armed non-state actors (ANSAs) to ensure access has come to the forefront. Yet humanitarians on the ground and the broader international humanitarian community often…
At least sixteen hospitals were bombed in Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen over the past few weeks. Powerful nations carried out the aerial bombing campaigns that damaged infrastructure and killed humanitarian staff and civilians. However, the circumstances are usually disputed. Perhaps it is time the humanitarian community installed black boxes to record such events? This article presents a device that records forensic evidence of what happened where, when and who did it. It is a call to the humanitarian community to take part in generating the evidence that will force states to take their responsibilities in protecting humanitarian work seriously.
Humanitarian action has never before reached so many people in so many places. Humanitarians around the world are undertaking extraordinary work. However, the system is under strain. Funding cannot keep pace with growing needs as conflict, insecurity and displacement have…
Information communication technologies (ICTs) are increasingly becoming a defining component of twenty-first century humanitarian response operations during both natural disasters and armed conflict. ICTs have changed how information is communicated and received during crises. It may even be changing how…
“Saving Lives Together”: A Review of existing NGO and United Nations Security Coordination Practices in the Field is a new report by the SLT framework that presents findings highlighting a range of practical experiences, successes, challenges and good practice of security…
Issue 64 of the Humanitarian Exchange Magazine, published by the Humanitarian Practice Network (Overseas Development Institute, ODI), focuses on the Ebola crisis in West Africa. In their article for the magazine, GISF Executive Coordinator Lisa Reilly and GISF Researcher Raquel…
The Harvard University Advanced Training Program on Humanitarian Action (ATHA) is launching a month-long 'Innovation Series'. This is a series of short podcast discussions with professionals and experts on areas of innovative thinking and development in the humanitarian sector. In the first episode of the series ATHA's Julia Brooks speaks with Raquel Vazquez Llorente, Researcher at the European Interagency Security Forum (GISF).
GISF Researcher Raquel Vazquez Llorente writes for the Harvard University Advanced Training Program on Humanitarian Action (ATHA). In her post, Raquel explores the increased reliance on local partners to deliver aid in high risk emergencies and the role that international NGOs play in protecting national humanitarian staff.