Humanitarian action is perceived by many as a laudable endeavor, and as a duty to the less privileged, the politically forgotten, and the most vulnerable. Traditionally, humanitarian response has been characterised as a Western, "morally untouchable", and minimally reflective field. "Humanitarian Action and Ethics" powerfully explores the ethical dilemmas faced by humanitarian actors in today's complex operational environment, with contributions in Ahmad and Smith's edited anthology deconstructing the illusion of "doing it right".
An expert dissection of the moral and ethical dilemmas inherent in the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Featuring interdisciplinary contributions from humanitarian practitioners, health professionals and scientists, this new reference text explores the question of ethics in modern humanitarian work. Case studies drawing from the lived experience of over thirty contributors covers humanitarian work in France, Haiti, South Sudan, Syria, Iraq, and a number of other countries, and addresses issues such as gender based violence, migration, and the political economy of humanitarianism. This anthology offers new perspectives on humanitarian ethics, as well as insights into how such ethical considerations might inform more effective approaches to humanitarian work.
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