Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The role of humanitarian organizations in the world's troubled and violent regions has never been so vital, or so debated. Over the course of this collection's 17 essays (written by scholars, journalists and humanitarian relief workers), 11 of the world's greatest humanitarian crises of the past five years are scrutinized for their successes and failures. From the moderately successful U.N. intervention in East Timor, to the U.N.'s absence in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, humanitarian action has often failed to live up to its exalted ideals, suggests this volume. With a clear, and often critical eye, the essays in this collection not only expose the shortcomings of the various humanitarian organizations, particularly the U.N., but also succeed in illuminating the complex moral and political debate that surrounds even the most basic relief operations. Saving lives is the ultimate purpose of any humanitarian action, and yet, according to the authors, that seemingly simple purpose is inevitably shrouded in a host of complicating, and often conflicting, values. The humanitarian ideal "is peaceful by nature but not pacifist," and therefore must inevitably contend with the specter of violence that comes with every relief operation. By focusing on the particular details of each intervention, the essays in this book succeed in going beyond the conventional stereotypes and myths of rebel atrocities and hapless governments. As such, they are an excellent resource for scholars and professionals in the field. Editor, Roger Haydon. (Apr.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Review by Library Journal Review
Medecins sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999 for its medical relief work. These essays, by MSF participants and by regional specialists, offer an overview of 13 conflicts in which the organization has provided relief. Each chapter provides background on the conflict, approximate numbers of refugees or internally displaced persons needing care, and attempts to provide relief. Four theoretical essays attempt to provide a framework for the others. Most of the authors are strongly critical of UN humanitarian relief efforts, because the UN staff often casually accepts the word of local authorities that relief is truly reaching the needy claims that medical works, often MSF teams, tend to doubt. Unfortunately, this collection as a whole is disappointing; none of the contributors really addresses questions of "just war." Readers who want a nuanced discussion of humanitarian issues should try David Kennedy's recent The Dark Sides of Virtue; a similar collection of essay on medical relief is Humanitarian Crises: the Medical and Public Health Response. Only for specialized collections. Marcia L. Sprules, Council on Foreign Relations Lib., New York (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Review by Library Journal Review
