This meeting assessed the nature and composition of the humanitarian system and the impacts these have on humanitarian space. It also questioned if, how and why the objectives, activities and coverage of key aid agencies (NGOs, UN and Red Cross/Red Crescent) have changed or expanded over time.
Amongst other subjects, articles in the latest issue explore crime, continuity and social change following Hurricane Katrina, disaster risk reduction and 'built in' resilience, and information technology and emergency management. For the full table of contents, or to subscribe or submit an article, please visit wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/disa
This meeting assessed the challenges humanitarian agencies have faced in Sri Lanka over the last two decades so as to inform current and future responses.
Women in IDP camp
License: ODI given rights
Credit: REUTERS/Finbarr O' Reilly, courtesy www.alertnet.org.
Source: Reuters
This series undertook a critical examination of the evolving dynamics and challenges related to different aspects of humanitarian space and associated trends of politicisation and securitisation of assistance. The meetings addressed a number of key questions and issues that have important implications for the nature and conditions of humanitarian action in contexts where humanitarian space is deemed to be restricted or contracting.
This meeting explored the various meanings and uses of humanitarian space and initiated a dialogue on how best to understand and apply the term and discuss the implications these have for understanding wider trends and challenges and developing appropriate responses.
The humanitarian sector has been under scrutiny, with criticism of its supposed lack of self examination. This Background Note points out that many of the critiques aimed at the sector were first identified by the sector itself more than a decade ago. It asks why, therefore, such critiques continue to have traction, ten years later.