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This new cluster of work analyses the evolving role of humanitarian action in conflict related emergencies, with a particular focus on addressing civilian insecurity.
The nature and impact of wars and conflicts have changed since the end of the Cold War. Previously fought over borders and between states, conflict is now primarily intra-state, creating unprecedented humanitarian crises, with direct and indirect catastrophic effects on the civilian populations. The continuing tragedies of Dar Fur, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Northern Uganda and other armed conflicts in Africa and beyond remain the most pressing humanitarian priorities today. These so-called ‘humanitarian crises' are marked by large numbers of civilian casualties, massive population displacement, widespread food insecurity, the breakdown of traditional political and economic structures, warlordism, widespread insecurity and human rights abuses and conflict over natural resources.
Building on earlier work by HPG on conflict and humanitarian aid, this cluster focuses on the political economy of conflict and humanitarian emergencies and the interplay between politics, civilian security and emergency aid programmes. It also seeks to analyse the impact that the ‘War on Terror' has on humanitarian action, including conditionality of aid, limitations in the engagement of humanitarian actors with certain armed opposition groups and the politicisation of the aid agenda.
The lack of effective protection for civilians caught in conflict is a crucial area of humanitarian concern. In this regard, current work on the protection of civilians, both in legal/normative terms (work on changing forms of protected status) and in terms of approaches to protection in policy and practice (concepts of protection and protection in practice) will be built upon, with particular attention to the protection role of humanitarian agencies. The implications of the increased use of advocacy in conflict related crises will also be explored, including issues such as the politicisation of humanitarianism, the impact of advocacy on humanitarian operations and programmatic and personnel risk.
The cluster will also focus on key consequences of conflict on civilian populations, such as displacement, with an emphasis on the evolution of international responses to protect and assist categories of dislocated persons and facilitate their return in post-conflict environments. This work includes ongoing research on the role of land tenure in conflict and post-conflict situations and the interrelation between DDR and other transitional assistance programming.
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The research team
Research Fellow: Sara Pantuliano (team leader)
Research Officer: Samir Elhawary
Research Fellow: Sorcha O'Callaghan
Completed work
Protection in practice |
