Aid and relief programmes Books

Book SynopsisHeart-breaking, hopeful and horrifying, I Shall Not Hate is a Palestinian doctor''s inspiring account of his extraordinary life, growing up in poverty but determined to treat his patients in Gaza and Israel regardless of their ethnic origin. A London University- and Harvard-trained Palestinian doctor who was born and raised in the Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza Strip and who has devoted his life to medicine and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians'' (New York Times), Abuelaish is an infertility specialist who lives in Gaza but works in Israel. On the strip of land he calls home (where 1.5 million Gazan refugees are crammed into a few square miles) the Gaza doctor has been crossing the lines in the sand that divide Israelis and Palestinians for most of his life - as a physician who treats patients on both sides of the line, as a humanitarian who sees the need for improved health and education for women as the way forward in the Middle East. AnTrade Review'This story is a necessary lesson against hatred and revenge.' * Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize laureate *'In this book, Doctor Abuelaish has expressed a remarkable commitment to forgiveness and reconciliation that describes the foundation for a permanent peace in the Holy Land.' * President Jimmy Carter *‘A remarkable study of compassion, and of daily life in the Gaza Strip' * Sunday Times *If there is to be peace in the Middle East, it will come through men and women of his giant moral stature and epic capacity for forgiveness. I urge everybody to read this wonderful book.' * Peter Oborne, Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisWhat does Japan's 2011 nuclear accident have in common with the 2005 flooding of New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina? This thought-provoking book presents a compelling account of recent and historical disasters, both natural and human-caused, drawing out common themes and providing a holistic understanding of hazards, disasters and mitigation, for anyone interested in this important and topical subject. Based on his on-the-ground experience with several major recent disasters, Timothy H. Dixon explores the science, politics and economics behind a variety of disasters and environmental issues, arguing that many of the worst effects are avoidable. He describes examples of planning and safety failures, provides forecasts of future disasters and proposes solutions for hazard mitigation. The book shows how billions of dollars and countless lives could be saved by adopting longer-term thinking for infrastructure planning and building, and argues that better communication is vital in reducing Trade Review'In Curbing Catastrophe, Timothy H. Dixon, a leading natural hazard scientist, gives a clear, calm, and thoughtful discussion of natural hazards facing societies around the world. The book nicely explains the science of hazards including earthquakes, tsunamis, coastal flooding, and other effects of global warming. It looks at specific cases, and generalizes them to make sensible suggestions of how to reduce the risk they pose to people and property. Dixon draws on his personal experiences and research results to make an easily readable and insightful book. Anyone interested in natural hazard science and policy will enjoy reading the book - and will gain new insights, even on topics with which they are familiar.' Seth Stein, President of the American Geophysical Union Natural Hazards Focus Group, William Deering Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Institute for Policy Studies Associate, Northwestern University, Illinois'Timothy H. Dixon provides a cogent and practical presentation of the risks we face with both natural and human-contributed disasters that kill, harm and cost us, especially if we do nothing. The takeaway message is: if you love this Earth and want to continue to rely on it, get to know it better and learn what we can do to protect ourselves from future calamities. Dixon explains in understandable fashion how the Earth works geologically; how, historically, we have taken the easy and convenient path to occupy it; and why we are so unprepared for its physical upheavals. Most significantly he provides solutions that make sense for now and for the future. The Earth will never stand still; should we not learn to work with it instead of against it? Our resistance to accommodating physical reality is our own self-destructing problem. Dixon helps us see this without shaming, and provides solutions that can help ourselves and our progeny.' John Hofmeister, Former President of Shell Oil Company and Founder and CEO of Citizens for Affordable Energy'This book covers risk theory, the basics of natural disasters, uncertainty, and vulnerability of humans. Dixon looks specifically at Fukushima and the more general problem of untoward geological events and nuclear power plants, and other aspects of tsunamis … He makes the point, correctly, that for various reasons the increase in price of fossil fuels that would ultimately drive, through market forces, the development of non-fossil fuel sources of electricity and motion is not going to happen for a very long time on its own. Environmentalists who assume there will be a huge increase in fossil fuel costs any time now are almost certainly mistaken. … [the author] makes valid and important points about science communication, time lags and long-term thinking …' Greg Laden , Greg Laden's Blog, Science Blogs (www.scienceblogs.com)'This book was written more for the general reader than the specialist. As such, it is a most useful book … [Dixon's] practical experience supplements his scientific knowledge in demonstrating how better communication about pending threats could have greatly mitigated the dire consequences of natural disasters …[the] book proceeds methodically, structured as a primer, and with due scientific detachment. He is demonstrating, not lecturing. He begins by defining long-term risks and their real-world impacts (e.g., on markets), sets out the practical implications of the differences between natural and man-made disasters, underlines the role scientific uncertainty plays … Th[e] concluding chapter is packed with practical solutions (helpfully summarized on pages 268-69), aimed at demonstrating to the recalcitrant how it would be to their interests in the here-and-now to heed expert advice … As an examination of our own problems at home and their solutions through better communication, this book is the model.' G. T. Dempsey, GeoLounge (www.geolounge.com)'Dixon covers a wide range of natural (and a few man-made) hazards with recent examples of major disasters as the vehicle to provide context and consequences. The examples are carefully chosen to allow Dixon to explore how societal behaviour did or can make the hazards catastrophic … I see this book serving several important roles. First … it is a recommended read for most geoscientists, and others who have an interest in how the Earth works on human timescales. Second … as a thought provoking read for graduate students, helping them develop a good understanding of the broader impacts of their science. The combination of rigorous science, intriguing perspective, and societal relevance make Curbing Catastrophe a valued addition to the literature of natural hazards.' Kevin P. Furlong, International Geology ReviewTable of ContentsPreface; 1. Black and white swans, evolution, and markets; 2. What is a natural disaster? Where do they occur, and why? Are they different from human-made disasters?; 3. If we know so much about natural disasters, why are we so vulnerable?; 4. Japanese earthquakes and nuclear power plant failures; 5. Future earthquake disasters in Seattle and Istanbul; 6. Nuclear power, coal, and tuna: the concept of relative risk; 7. Past and future coastal flooding: Galveston, New Orleans, Bangladesh, and the specter of sea level rise; 8. What's all the fuss about global warming?; 9. Solutions; References and further reading; Index; Online appendices: Appendix 1. Additional background material and exercises for students; Appendix 2. Colour figures.

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Book SynopsisDark Star Safari is Paul Theroux''s now classic account of a journey from Cairo to Cape Town.Travelling across bush and desert, down rivers and across lakes, and through country after country, Theroux visits some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth, and some of the most dangerous. It is a journey of discovery and of rediscovery -- of the unknown and the unexpected, but also of people and places he knew as a young and optimistic teacher forty years before.Safari in Swahili simply means journey, and this is the ultimate safari. It is Theroux in his element -- a trip where chance encounter is everything, where departure and arrival times are an irrelevance, and where contentment can be found balancing on the top of a truck in the middle of nowhere.Praise for Paul Theroux:''Theroux''s work remains the standard by which other travel writing must be judged'' Observer''One needs energy to keep up with the extraordinary,

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Book SynopsisDambisa Moyo''s Dead Aid reveals why millions are actually poorer because of aid, unable to escape corruption and reduced, in the West''s eyes, to a childlike state of beggary. We all want to help. Over the past fifty years $1 trillion of development aid has flowed from Western governments to Africa, with rock stars and actors campaigning for more. But this has not helped Africa. It has ruined it. Dead Aid shows us another way. Using hard evidence to illustrate her case, Moyo shows how, with access to capital and with the right policies, even the poorest nations can turn themselves around. First we must destroy the myth that aid works - and make charity history. ''Articulate, self-confident and angry ... this book marks a turning point''  Spectator ''A damning assessment of the failures of sixty years of western development''  Financial Times ''Kicks over the traditional pTrade ReviewA damning assessment of the failures of sixty years of western development * Financial Times *Kicks over the traditional piety that Western aid benefits the third world -- Books of the Year * Sunday Herald *Dambisa Moyo makes a compelling case for a new approach -- Kofi AnnanProvocative ... incendiary ... a double-barrelled shotgun of a book * Daily Mail *This reader was left wanting a lot more Moyo, a lot less Bono -- Niall Ferguson

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Book Synopsis''A profound memoir'' Daily Telegraph''As revealing as the writing of Oliver Sacks'' Mark CousinsOutside the Asylum is Lynne Jones''s personal and highly acclaimed exploration of humanitarian psychiatry and the changing world of international relief. Her memoir graphically describes her experiences in war zones and disasters around the world, from the Balkans and ''mission-accomplished'' Iraq, to tsunami-affected Indonesia, post-earthquake Haiti and ''the Jungle'' in Calais.Trade ReviewLynne Jones is a world expert on the psychiatric consequences of the trauma of war. She has not shied away from providing care to people in the heart of conflict zones, where such mental health resources are virtually non-existent. Her first hand observations will open readers' eyes to the awful connections between the neglected relationship of war and mental illness, and of what can be provided at relatively low cost, with the right planning and vision. This is essential reading for those training in mental health, to consider the broader picture of the causes of mental illness that one may not see in the routine hospital clinic. An outstanding piece of work -- Professor Simon Baron-CohenAs revealing as the writing of Oliver Sacks. Outside the Asylum joins the dots of mental health and conflict of the last four decades, resulting in a moving frontline account of geographical and mental borders. Jones's quest is lucid and questioning. She introduces us to a gallery of astonishing and brave people, and her work has surely made the world a better place. Inspiring -- Mark CousinsHer blazingly frank account is as enlightening on shifts in psychiatric treatment as it is on local implications of humanitarian-aid policy. Brilliantly insightful -- Barbara Kiser * NATURE *A profound memoir ... Her compassion is clear sighted, and she explains complex geopolitical and psychological issues in plain prose -- Helen Brown * DAILY TELEGRAPH *A passionate account ... Her portrayal of human suffering and the human response is vividly described -- Emma Williams * THE SPECTATOR *It will fill you with soaring admiration for those who dedicate their lives to help those who need it, fired by a strong belief in humanity -- Caroline Sanderson * THE BOOKSELLER *[Jones'] beautifully weft stories of a lone psychiatrist bearing children's unbearable burdens are beacons of hope to their bomb-shattered childhoods and to our broken world. -- Sabina Dosani * BJPsych Bulletin *

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Book SynopsisIn 2004, the UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan called Darfur the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. A comprehensive food aid programme soon followed, at the time the largest in the world. Yet by 2014, while the crisis continued, international agencies found they had limited access to much of the population, with the Sudanese regime effectively controlling who received aid. As a result, acute malnutrition remains persistently high. Food Aid in Sudan argues that the situation in Sudan is emblematic of a far wider problem. Analysing the history of food aid in the country over fifty years, Jaspars shows that such aid often serves to enrich local regimes and the private sector while leaving war-torn populations in a state of permanent emergency. Drawing on her decades of experience as an aid worker and researcher in the region, and extensive interviews with workers in the food aid process, Jaspars brings together two key topics of our time: the failure of the humanitarian system to respond to today’s crises, and the crisis in the global food system. Essential reading for students and researchers across the social sciences studying the nature and effectiveness of contemporary humanitarianism, development and international aid.Trade ReviewA superb account of the intertwining of nutritional science, politics and humanitarian crisis in Sudan over fifty years. This is an essential book for all students of humanitarianism. * Alex de Waal, co-author of Darfur: A Short History of a Long War *Brilliantly and disturbingly demonstrates how a range of self-interests and shifting orthodoxies have combined to create the virtual abandonment of a highly distressed population in Darfur. * David Keen, London School of Economics *Jaspers has written a singular, important and challenging book. Indeed, I cannot speak too highly of this major work. This book deserves to become a classic within the humanitarian field and demands to be widely read. * Mark Duffield, author of Global Governance and the New Wars *Provides crucial insights into how food aid has shaped power relations in Sudan. A timely and meticulous contribution towards understanding the politics of food insecurity and the processes of aid provision. * Zoë Marriage, SOAS, University of London *Table of ContentsPreface 1. Introduction: Food Aid and Power The Crisis in Sudan What is Food Aid? Analysing Food Aid, Power and Governance Food Aid in Sudan The Challenges of Fieldwork in Sudan 2. From Managing States and Supporting Livelihoods to Abandoning Populations Managing States: Food Aid to Strengthen States and Benefit Donors Managing Lives: Food Aid to Save Lives and Protect Livelihoods Abandoning Populations: Food Aid, Global Instability and Resilience Conclusions 3. Food Aid in Sudan: Government and Private Sector Response Sudan’s Protracted Crisis: Food, Governance and Inequality The Early Years of Food Aid in Sudan: Urban Food Subsidies, Uneven Development and Refugees Changes in Quantities and Types of International Food Aid in Sudan The Famines of the 1980s and the Manipulation of Food Aid Islamism, Self-sufficiency and War Control over International Agencies and the Sudanisation of Food Aid Conclusions 4. The Effects of Food Aid Practices in North Darfur An Overview of Drought, Famine and Conflict in North Darfur Food Aid in Response to Drought and Famine (the 1980s and 1990s) The Darfur Crisis: Food Aid in the Early Years (2003–07) The Later Years (2008–14): Reduced Food Aid and Access Restrictions Indirect Effects of Reduced Food Aid Are People Still Coping? Conclusions 5. Perceptions of Food Aid: Politics, Dependency and Denial of Permanent Emergency A Country of Food Aid Experts The Government View of Food Aid International Agencies: De-politicisation and Abandonment International Agencies: The Denial of Permanent Emergency Alternative Perceptions of Food Aid: Politics, War and Economic Benefits Conclusions 6. Conclusions What Brought about Change? Continuities? Impact of Food Aid Practices in Sudan’s Protracted Emergency Implications for Humanitarian and Food Aid Operations Appendix 1: Chronology of Key Political Events in Sudan

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Book SynopsisJames Maskalyk set out for the contested border town of Abyei, Sudan, in 2007. The newest Médicins Sans Frontières' doctor in the field, he arrived with only his training, full of desire to understand this most desperate part of the world. He returned home six months later profoundly affected by the experience. Six Months in Sudan is an illuminating and affecting account of saving lives in one of the most harrowing and dangerous places on Earth.Trade ReviewGripping and humane . . . brave and intelligent. -- Ned Denny * * Daily Mail * *Honest and fluently written . . . An absorbing insight into international medicine. * * Financial Times * *Carefully crafted, often poetic, always deliberate . . . a visceral account. -- Mary Crockett * * The Scotsman * *A moving, sometimes beautifully written, account of a young doctor's time in the Sudanese town of Abeyi . . . The book is very well written and consequently easy to read, despite the subject matter. Thejuxtaposition of the blog entries and the text works particularly well . . . The book serves as a timely reminder that saving people's lives is worth doing, even in a recession. We are also saving ourselves. -- Padraig Carmody * * Irish Times * *Six Months is Sudan is a wrenchingly heartbreaking account of distant agonies almost too pointed to grasp. Learning about Maskalyk's work there is stirring, but the real miracle is this book paints a picture so precisely and vividly that it becomes impossible to look away. This is Maskalyk's accomplishment, and his gift to the Sudanese and to us. The shame of our indifference retreats before his exhortation: 'learn, and understand,' and perhaps a more bearable future becomes possible for all of us. -- Kevin PattersonThis journey is beautifully told in sharp beats, and lyrical notes. It is the voyage of a young doctor out into a hard world, and deep within his own heart. -- Vincent LamMaskalyk's soft prose is beautiful and invites with the right intimate details. He offers a rare window on the inner life of an aid worker, on what it means to be a humanitarian around the hard edges of war, and on the certain drive to go on. Why? Because in his words, `hope not only meets despair in equal measure, it drowns it.' -- James OrbinskiVisceral and immediate . . . As medical literature this book excels; as an insight into that exhilarating, life changing step into chaos his account can hardly be bettered. -- Jonathan Kaplan * * British Medical Journal * *Through a narrative both personal and provocative, Maskalyk succeeds in animating the quotidien struggles of life in Sudan in ways news reports never will - 'for those who think life is too short, come to Abyei.' -- Peter Geoghegan * * Sunday Business Post * *Searingly unwrapped the truth about serving as a medecin sans frontiers. I quote from it almost every week, for its profound truthfulness. -- Sheena McDonald * * Sunday Herald * *Heartbreaking scenes are recounted with searing honesty and without a trace of self-satisfaction or self-congratulation . . . although the situation was depressingly sad, and at times he despaired, it was also a privilege for him to be involved, he says. It is a privilege for us to read about that involvement. * * Irish Times * *

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Book SynopsisWe are all aware of the extreme hunger and poverty that afflict the world''s poor. We hear the facts, see the images on television, buy the T-shirt and are moved as individuals and governments to dig deep into our pockets. Yet what happens to all this aid? Why after 50 years and $2.3 trillion are there still children dying for lack of twelve cents medicine? Why are there so many people still living on less than $1 a day without clean water, food, sanitation, shelter, education or medicine?In The White Man''s Burden William Easterly, acclaimed author and former economist at the World Bank, addresses these twin tragedies head on. While recognising the energy and compassion behind the campaign to make poverty history he argues urgently and powerfully that grand plans and good intentions are a part of the problem not the solution. Giving aid is not enough, we must ensure that it reaches the people who need it most and the only way to make this happens is through accountability and by learning from past experiences. Without claiming to have all the answers, William Easterly chastises the complacent and patronising attitude of the West that attempts to impose solutions from above. In this book, which is by turns angry, moving, irreverent but always rigorous, he calls on each and everyone of us to take responsibility, whether donors, aid workers or ordinary citizens, so that more aid reaches the people it is supposed to help, the mother who cannot feed her children, the little girl who has to collect firewood rather than go to school, the father who cannot work because he has been crippled by war.Trade ReviewCompelling reading...Easterly's book is an important one, and the arguments he raises cannot and should not be ignored. * London Book Review.com *Table of ContentsWHY PLANNERS CANNOT BRING PROSPERITY; ACTING OUT THE BURDEN; THE WHITE MAN'S ARMY; THE FUTURE

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Book SynopsisOn 21 October 1966, 116 children and 28 adults died when a mountainside coal tip collapsed, engulfing homes and part of a school in the village of Aberfan below. It is a moment that will be forever etched in the memories of many people in Wales and beyond. Aberfan - Government & Disaster is widely recognised as the definitive study of the disaster. Following meticulous research of public records - kept confidential by the UK Government’s 30-year rule - the authors, in this revised second edition, explain how and why the disaster happened and why nobody was held responsible. Iain McLean and Martin Johnes reveal how the National Coal Board, civil servants, and government ministers, who should have protected the public interest, and specifically the interests of the people of Aberfan, failed to do so. The authors also consider what has been learned or ignored from Aberfan such as the understanding of psychological trauma and the law concerning ‘corporate manslaughter’. Aberfan - Government & Disaster is the revised and updated second edition of Iain McLean and Martin Johnes’ acclaimed study published in 2000, which now solely focuses on Aberfan.Trade Review'The full truth about Aberfan' The Guardian; 'The research is outstanding...the investigation is substantial, balanced and authoritative...this is certainly the definitive book on the subject...Meticulous.' John R. Davis, Journal of Contemporary British History; 'Excellent...thorough and sympathetic.' Headway 2000 (Aberfan's Community Newspaper); 'Definitive...authoritative...anyone who wants to understand the process of government and its obsession with secrecy should read this book.' Ron Davies, Secretary of State for Wales 1997-1998; 'Intelligent and moving' PlanetTable of ContentsForeword Preface 1. The Last Day before Half-term 2. On Moles and the Habits of Birds: The Unpolitics of Aberfan 3. Uneasy Relationships: The Aberfan Disaster, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and Local Politics 4. The Management of Trauma 5. Regulating and Raiding Gifts of Generosity: The Aberfan Disaster Fund 6. Aberfan Then and Now Bibliography

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Book SynopsisThe spate of disaster events ranging from major to catastrophic that have occurred in recent years raises a lot of questions about where and why they happened. Understanding the history of emergency management policies and practice is important to an understanding of current and future policies and practice. Continuing in the footsteps of its popular predecessors, the new edition of Emergency Management: The American Experience provides the background to understand the key political and policy underpinnings of emergency management, exploring how major focusing events have shaped the field of emergency management. This edition builds on the original theoretical framework and chronological approach of previous editions, while enhancing the discussions through the addition of fresh information about the effects and outcomes of older events, such as Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill. The final chapters offer insightful discussion of the public administration concepts Trade Review"Claire Rubin’s third edition is essential reading for students and scholars in emergency management and an excellent introduction to the history of American emergency management for other interested readers. The earlier editions have served as core texts in introductory and advanced classes and the new edition brings the history of the field up to date with new chapters by leading scholars." —William L. Waugh, Jr., Professor Emeritus, Georgia State University"Emergency Management: The American Experience is an essential book in the field. The updated third edition adds important analyses of recent disasters and policy trends. This book continues to be essential reading for scholars of disaster policy as well as for anyone who wishes to understand the historical and political contexts of emergency management and disaster policy in the United States." —Thomas Birkland, Department of Public Administration, North Carolina State University"The third edition of Emergency Management: The American Experience provides a rich account of disaster policy, to include important historical, social, and administrative issues that underpin our largely reactionary approach to emergency management. Claire Rubin and her colleagues adroitly describe the multitude of lessons learned and not learned following seminal disasters over time across the United States. This book provides crucial insights for both seasoned emergency managers seeking to develop more informed, proactive policy as well as educators who strive to teach the next generation of emergency managers how to more effectively plan for a more resilient future. Given the continued rise in disaster losses, including those exacerbated by a changing climate, the lessons derived from this text are more prescient than ever before and I look forward to further lessons drawn from the compendium book The U.S. Emergency Management System in the Twenty-first Century: From Disaster to Catastrophe." —Gavin Smith, PhD, AICP, Professor, North Carolina State UniversityTable of ContentsPreface 1. Introduction: 110 Years of Disaster Response and Emergency Management in the United States 2. Focusing Events in the Early Twentieth Century: A Hurricane, Two Earthquakes, and a Pandemic 3. The Expanding Role of the Federal Government: 1927–1950 4. The Formative Years: 1950–1978 5. Federal Emergency Management Comes of Age: 1979–2001 6. Emergency Management Restructured: Intended and Unintended Outcomes of Actions taken since 9/11 7. 2005 Events and Outcomes: Hurricane Katrina and Beyond 8. The System Is Tested: Response to the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill 9. From a Painful Past to an Uncertain Future 10. The Evolving Federal Role in Emergency Management: Policies and Processes

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Book SynopsisBased on a popular course for the FEMA Higher Education project, Preparedness and Response for Catastrophic Disasters provides important insight into plans to mitigate and respond to the devastation caused by large-scale catastrophic events. Hurricane Katrina provided clear evidence that these occurrences are both qualitatively and quantitatively different from other disasters. Recent tragedies, like the 2004 South Asia tsunami, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, and the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and resulting nuclear plant meltdown in Japan further illustrate that we are not prepared for such events. Written by top disaster scholars and practitioners, the book defines what constitutes a catastrophic event, outlining both the factors that can lead to catastrophes and the unique logistical, planning, and response challenges posed by them. Distinct from general disasters, these events are termed catastrophic due to the regional impact, impacts to logisTable of ContentsWhat Is a Catastrophe, and Why Is This Important? Understanding Catastrophes: A Discussion of Causation, Impacts, Policy Approaches, and Organizational Structures. Ethics in Catastrophe Readiness and Response. Political and Legal Issues. Economics of Catastrophes and Disasters. Logistics and the Management of Critical Supplies Following Catastrophes. Overview of Critical Infrastructure in Catastrophes. Public Health Role in Catastrophes. Catastrophes, Mass Displacement, and Population Resettlement. Emergent Organizations and Networks in Catastrophic Environments. Methods of Planning and Response Coordination. Catastrophic Disaster Recovery: An Institutional Network Perspective. Pandemic Scenario. Training and Exercises for Catastrophes. Catastrophes in Haiti and Japan. Summary and Call to Action. Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides fresh perspectives on a key period in the history of humanitarianism. Drawing on economic, cultural, social and diplomatic perspectives, it explores the scale and meaning of humanitarianism in the era of the Great War. Foregrounding the local and global dimensions of the humanitarian responses, it interrogates the entanglement of humanitarian and political interests and uncovers the motivations and agency of aid donors, relief workers and recipients. The chapters probe the limits of humanitarian engagement in a period of unprecedented violence and suffering and evaluate its long-term impact on humanitarian action.Table of ContentsIntroduction: humanitarianism and the Greater War – Elisabeth Piller and Neville WyliePART I: GLOBAL WAR, GLOBAL AID 1 Humanitarian aid across the ocean: Argentine contributions to the relief of Europe during the Great War – María Inés Tato2 Sagas of swords, scrolls, and dolls: Japanese humanitarian aid to Belgium –Hanne Deleu3 Geographies of humanitarian mobilisation: Portuguese Africa and the Great War – Ana Paula Pires4 Philanthropy in time of war: Paul Nathan and the Hilfsverein der deutschen Juden –Christoph JahrPART II: THE POLITICS AND POWER OF AID 5 The neutrals at war: humanitarian competition in the Great War – Cédric Cotter6 Neutrality and the politics of protection: the United States as a protecting power, 1914–17 – Neville Wylie7 Blockaders as humanitarians? Connecting the Allied blockade of Germany and post-warHumanitarianism – Phillip Dehne8 Better fed than red: international famine relief, 1921–22 – Kimberly LowePART III: THE LEGACIES AND LIMITS OF GREAT WAR-ERA RELIEF9 Abandoning Poland: Great War humanitarianism as a history of failure – Elisabeth Piller10 Children and the ‘hunger politics’ of 1919-20: food aid to German children and thefounding of the international Save the Children Movement – Tatjana Eichert and Rebecca Gill11 ‘The most deplorable victims’? The language of humanitarianism and relief to intellectuals in the era of the Great War –Tomás Irish 12 The imperial ‘guardians’ of slavery: international humanitarianism, colonial labour policies, and the crisis of imperial governance under the League of Nations, 1919–26 – Christian Mueller Afterword – Branden LittleIndex

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Book SynopsisSince 2006, international relief organisation Friends of Waldorf Education (FWE) has partnered with Steiner-Waldorf doctors, psychologists and therapists to carry out emergency education crisis interventions around the world. They've worked with traumatised children and young people in war zones and disaster areas in many countries, including Lebanon, China, the Gaza Strip, Indonesia, Haiti, Kyrgyzstan and most recently Japan, following the tsunami and nuclear disaster there.In this important book, FWE head Bernd Ruf explains what the organisation does, and how the principles of Rudolf Steiner's anthroposophy are put into practice in such challenging situations. He focuses especially on their work in Japan, exploring processes and experiences, including the anthroposophical understanding of trauma itself.Educating Traumatized Children offers much-needed insight into their little-known area of education and healing for traumatised children. This book will be valuable not only for those working in disaster and conflict areas, but for any teacher or parent who is caring for a traumatised child.

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Book SynopsisBroadcasting is now an important part of the international aid effort, and as such communication for development has ambitious aims: to save lives, improve livelihoods and end corruption. In order to achieve this, specialist innovative production techniques and formats are required. This book provides a practical and thorough guide to the production of effective broadcasting for development. It covers four key areas of communication: humanitarian broadcasting in emergencies; distance learning; empowerment, good governance and human rights; broadcasting for behaviour and social change. Tuckey takes us through each stage from project design, to selecting and training a production team and developing formats, with key emphasis on the inclusion of local communities.Trade ReviewThis is an important, in fact, essential book for both new and experienced workers in communication in international development. In six sections it presents and discusses: issues common to all development projects; humanitarian communication; distance learning; empowerment; and communication for social change; and it includes a major section on preparing training plans and materials for journalism and also for those writing drama series. * Michael Brophy OBE, former Director of The Africa Education Trust *A masterpiece by a firsthand professional, presenting insights of communication development from every angle, supported by a variety of examples that empowers readers to build resilience flexibly in different situations. This is really an unmissable read. * Mohammed Abdillahi Gaas, Deputy Country Director for Somaliland and Somalia, BBC Media Action *John Tuckey really has produced a "Practical" Handbook. He deftly takes the many questions about the concept of Communication for Development that so often arise and carefully addresses them with the honesty that can only arise from a deep and wide experience - which he has. The reader can feel confidence in this book which has been honed from many years in the field where clearly the author has learned these lessons and approaches for himself. It's a really good read with straightforward guidance that arrives just at the point when it's needed and with a veracity that gives the reader confidence. Importantly, there are examples that are explored, lists of ideas, dos and don'ts in reference to formalities i.e. no stone is un-turned but the book is not laborious, it gives sufficient information about complex issues in a simple and enabling way. I think and hope this book will become the best friend of many practitioners and so it should! * Karen Merkel, Partner, New Media Networks, UK *John Tuckey has written a must-read guide for anyone using or planning to use communication as a tool for stimulating awareness, participation and actions for social change. * Mwendalubi Maumb, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Quadripoint Communications *Communication for development is layered with complexities in all its aspects from understanding the context, to knowing the audience and their culture, determining the content, choosing an effective format and deciding which medium to use to reach the audiences... John Tuckey patiently brings years of experience, discussion and research together and provides practical and detailed guidance as to how to approach each aspect. Communication for Development is exactly what media for development practitioners and projects have been waiting for. * Shirazuddin Siddiqi, former editor of the Afghan radio drama, ‘New Home, New Life; and former Afghanistan Country Director, BBC Media Action *

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Book SynopsisFrom natural disaster areas to conflict zones, humanitarian workers today find themselves operating in diverse and difficult environments. While humanitarian work has always presented unique ethical challenges, such efforts are now further complicated by the impact of globalization, the escalating refugee crisis, and mounting criticisms of established humanitarian practice. Featuring contributions from humanitarian practitioners, health professionals, and social and political scientists, this book explores the question of ethics in modern humanitarian work, drawing on the lived experience of humanitarian workers themselves. Its essential case studies cover humanitarian work in countries ranging from Haiti and South Sudan to Syria and Iraq, and address issues such as gender based violence, migration, and the growing phenomenon of ‘volunteer tourism’. Together, these contributions offer new perspectives on humanitarian ethics, as well as insight into how such ethical considerations might inform more effective approaches to humanitarian work.Trade ReviewNobody is under the illusion that humanitarian work is easy or convenient. What Ayesha Ahmad and James Smith have achieved in this volume, moreover, is a powerful challenge to the idea that it is unquestionably "right". * Encylopedia Geopolitica *An important and valuable book on the ethical challenges arising in humanitarian action. It highlights the complex range of challenges, while also presenting practical and constructive recommendations from authors who have worked on the front line of humanitarian crises. * Bayard Roberts, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine *Powerfully depicts the ethical challenges pervading a world which deliberately generates so much human suffering through disasters and conflict. The chapters demonstrate what we can do to help, despite the moral entanglements of today's humanitarian labyrinth. * Ilan Kelman, Institute for Risk & Disaster Reduction, University College London *Remarkably interdisciplinary, deeply thought-provoking, and relentlessly practical, Humanitarian Action and Ethics will be instructive to scholars, practitioners and the interested public alike. * Janina Dill, University of Oxford *Ahmad and Smith expertly dissect the moral and ethical dilemmas inherent in the delivery of humanitarian assistance, helping aid workers develop the practical approaches needed for effective responses. * Unni Karunakara, Yale School of Public Health, and former International President of MSF *Table of ContentsForeword: Humanitarian Action and Ethics - Hugo Slim Foreword: On the Front Lines of Humanitarian Medical Ethics - Vickie Hawkins and Paul McMaster Introduction: Narrating Humanitarian Action and Ethics - Ayesha Ahmad 1. Difficult Decision-making, Compromise, and Moral Distress in Medical Humanitarian Response - James Smith 2. Moral Entanglement and the Ethics of Closing Humanitarian Projects - Matthew Hunt and Jingru Miao 3. The Outsider’s Role: Ethical Reflections from the Study of International–National Staff Relations in Development and Humanitarian Organisations - Maëlle Noé 4. The Moral Motivation of Humanitarian Actors - Katarína Komenská 5. Makeshift Humanitarians: Informal Humanitarian Aid Across European Close(d) Borders - Elisa Sandri and Fosco Bugoni 6. Amateur Humanitarianism, Social Solidarity and ‘Volunteer Tourism’ in the EU Refugee ‘Crisis’ - Jane Freedman 7. La Nouvelle France: Institutionalised Abuse, ‘Exception’ and Spectacle in the Exiled/Volunteer Relationship at the Franco–British Border - Celeste Cantor-Stephens 8. Ethical Challenges Among Humanitarian Organisations: Insights from the Response to the Syrian Conflict* - Kory L Funk, Diana Rayes, Leonard S Rubenstein, Nermin R Diab, Namrita S Singh, Matthew DeCamp, Wasim Maziak, Lara S Ho and W Courtland Robinson 9. Home and Away: Ethical Issues in Humanitarian Aid to Syrians in Israel - Schlomit Zuckerman, Morshid Farhat and Salman Zarka 10. The Emergence of Humanitarian Failure: The Case of Haiti - Jan Wörlein 11. Ethical Encounters as a Humanitarian Psychiatrist - Peter Hughes 12. One for All, or All for One: The Ethical Implications of Individual Human Rights-based and Public Good-based Frameworks in Emergency Mental Health - Liyam Eloul and Claire F O’Reilly 13. Ethics of Cultural Concepts and Conflicts Surrounding Disclosure of Gender-based Violence in Humanitarian Settings - Ayesha Ahmad 14. The Invisible Man: The Shrouding of Ethical Issues Related to Sexual Violence Against Men in the Humanitarian Response in the Democratic Republic of Congo - Vanessa Okito Wedi 15. Humanitarian Ethics in Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders: Discussing Dilemmas and Mitigating Moral Distress - Rachel Kiddell-Monroe, Carol Devine, John Pringle, Sidney Wong and Philippe Calain 16. Stop Missing the Point: Managing Humanitarian Action Well - Caroline Clarinval 17. An Ethic of Refusal: The Political Economy of Humanitarianism Under Neoliberal Globalisation - John Pringle and Toby Leon Moorsom Afterword: The Ethics of Compiling a Book on Humanitarian Ethics - James Smith *The chapter ‘Ethical Challenges Among Humanitarian Organisations: Insights from the Response to the Syrian Conflict’ is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0). You can view the downloadable PDF here.

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Book SynopsisHumanitarians are required to be impartial, independent, professionally competent and focused only on preventing and alleviating human suffering. It can be hard living up to these principles when others do not share them, while persuading political and military authorities and non-state actors to let an agency assist on the ground requires savvy ethical skills. Getting first to a conflict or natural catastrophe is only the beginning, as aid workers are usually and immediately presented with practical and moral questions about what to do next. For example, when does working closely with a warring party or an immoral regime move from practical cooperation to complicity in human rights violations? Should one operate in camps for displaced people and refugees if they are effectively places of internment? Do humanitarian agencies inadvertently encourage ethnic cleansing by always being ready to 'mop-up' the consequences of scorched earth warfare? This book has been written to help humanitarians assess and respond to these and other ethical dilemmas.Trade ReviewSlim writes in a very engaging manner that is both erudite and easy to read, professional and personal at the same time, as humanitarianism must be. One really feels he himself has struggled with many of the dilemmas he describes and is eager to share his experience. * International Affairs *Few fields of human enterprise are as morally challenging as humanitarian aid, especially in wartime. Hugo Slim has written the essential handbook of ethical expertise for aid workers, aid organizations and students of ethics and humanitarianism. It is comprehensive, passionate and has the special gift of lucidly exploring moral complexities. -- Alex de Waal, Executive Director, World Peace Foundation at the Fletcher School, Tufts UniversitySlim writes in a very engaging manner that is both erudite and easy to read, professional and personal at the same time, as humanitarianism must be. One really feels he himself has struggled with many of the dilemmas he describes and is eager to share his experience. * The Jordan Times *Humanitarian workers confront desperately difficult ethical choices every day as they struggle to provide aid in war and disasters. In a field where theory and practice are too seldom aligned Hugo Slim has pulled off a rare feat -- a book that is as useful to the thoughtful aid practitioner as it is to the applied scholar. His analysis is fascinating and his refreshingly frank and practical approaches for navigating the ethical minefields of work in the world’s toughest places will appeal to the frontline aid worker and global humanitarian executive alike. -- Neal Keny-Guyer, Chief Executive Officer at Mercy CorpsThis book gets to the heart of the often impossible moral dilemmas and persistent ethical problems which confront, challenge and haunt humanitarians. As the sector professionalises and bureaucratises, it will help aid workers, managers and leaders to understand why principles matter more than ever and how they can be used to make better choices. Importantly, it is written from the perspective of someone who cares deeply about humanitarian action and who wants to help those who help others do so with care, compassion and to the highest possible standards. -- Sorcha O’Callaghan, Head of Humanitarian Policy, British Red CrossA fascinating and important book that unpack the ethics of the humanitarian enterprise, a critical question at a time when the fundamental values and principles of humanitarianism are being contested by the participation of southern actors. Few books penetrate the fundamental moral and ethical questions of humanitarianism, and even fewer in a language that is accessible to both scholars and practitioners -- a must-read. -- Urvashi Aneja, Director, Centre for Global Governance & Policy, Jindal School of International Affairs, Jindal Global University, IndiaIn this brilliant and incisive work, Hugo Slim develops a much needed moral compass that helps aid workers, both seasoned and novice, to navigate the tensions between principle and practice -- as well as the shoals of political manipulation in humanitarian action. An invaluable tool that should be in every humanitarian’s grab bag. -- Antonio Donini, editor of 'The Golden Fleece: Manipulation and Independence in Humanitarian Action''Important and eminently readable . . . masterful . . . a powerful message delivered with brio. His book should be required reading for all frontline aid workers - and even more so for their bosses.'An informative text worth the attention of academics and professionals, and also those considering volunteering in places where governments and large NGOs have been found wanting. * Socialist Review *

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Book SynopsisEngineering in Emergencies is a hugely successful practical handbook for all relief workers involved in giving humanitarian assistance. It provides the information needed to implement an effective engineering response in the aftermath of an emergency. The second edition of Engineering in Emergencies maintains the practical content of the first edition but has been revised and updated to reflect developments in humanitarian relief in recent years. The combination of ''hard'' topics, such as water and sanitation, and ''soft'' topics, such as managerial skills and personal effectiveness, has been retained from the original edition and the book expanded to include two new chapters on security and telecommunications. The new second edition will be available both as a book and as a handy CD-ROM, especially designed to be light and easily portable for relief workers in the field. Engineering in Emergencies is developed in collaboration with the agency RedR - Engineers for Disaster Relief, based in Westminster.

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Book SynopsisDavid Alexander provides a concise yet comprehensive and systematic primer on how to prepare for a disaster. The book introduces the methods, procedures, protocols and strategies of emergency planning, with an emphasis on situations within industrialized countries. It is designed to be a reference source and manual from which emergency mangers can extract ideas, suggestions and pro-forma methodologies to help them design and implement emergency plans.Table of ContentsPreface. Acknowledgements. 1 Aims, purpose and scope of emergency planning; 2 Methodology: making and using maps; 3 Methodology: analytical techniques; 4 The emergency plan and its activation; 5 The plan in practice: emergency management; 6 Specialized planning; 7 Reconstructive planning; 8 Emergency-management training; 9 Concluding thoughts. Glossary. Bibliography. Index

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Book SynopsisAs disasters become more commonplace, we need to think of alternatives for reliefTrade Review'Supremely accomplished. A major step forward in the theory of anarchist practice and deserves our urgent attention as the collapse of capitalism unfolds' -- Uri Gordon, author of 'Anarchy Alive!''Commendable - a book that prepares us to think about and react to the kinds of system failures, collapses, and other disasters that will become increasingly more common over the next decades. Firth complicates the important concept of mutual aid, examining the danger of neoliberal recuperation while emphasising the subversive possibilities at its heart’ -- Peter Gelderloos, activist and author of 'The Solutions Are Already Here: Strategies for Ecological Revolution From Below'‘A clear, timely and rigorous account of anarchist responses to catastrophes. It avoids romanticisation, as Rhiannon Firth incisively unpicks state and corporate strategies of co-option’ -- Benjamin Franks, Senior Lecturer in Social and Political Philosophy, University of Glasgow'Disrupts disaster studies using an anarchist epistemology to question widely held assumptions about the state, businesses and social capital in recovery. Firth finds anarchist practices underlie everyday actions in disasters. This ground-breaking book shows how imagination, radical pedagogy, and social movements are living components of disaster anarchy' -- John Preston, Professor of Sociology, University of Essex'Unpacking the beautiful possibilities of mutual aid, Firth reveals a glimmer of hope in this era of darkness and dismay. Anarchy is affirmed as the dawn light of our collective capacity to transform disaster into grace as we create a new day beyond the failings of capitalism and the state.' -- Simon Springer, Professor of Human Geography at the University of Newcastle, Australia''Disaster Anarchy' makes an exceptional contribution to the existing literature. Highly original and beautifully written, it is a must read for any activist or scholar interested in exploring utopian alternatives to the status quo, and creating a new society in the shell of the old.' -- Richard J. White, Reader in Human Geography, Sheffield Hallam University, Britain‘Firth bridges the theories and methodologies in the continuing development of anarchist and liberatory frameworks of decentralised disaster responses, first articulated after Hurricane Katrina. They demonstrate through personal histories and analysis deeper paths forward in anarchist processes and practices that allow our liberatory imaginations to resist the collapse while creating viable alternatives without state coercion or interference' -- scott crow, author of 'Black Flags and Windmills: Hope , Anarchy and the Common Ground Collective'Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Abbreviations Interviewees 1. Introduction 2. Backdrop: Mainstream Disaster Studies 3. Critical Approaches: Precarity, Securitisation and Disaster Capitalism 4. Towards an Anarchist Approach to Disaster 5. Occupy Sandy Mutual Aid, New York, 2012 6. Covid-19 Mutual Aid, London, 2020 7. Conclusion Notes Index

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Book SynopsisA heroic doctor's unflinchingly honest and visceral tale of impossible choices in emergency medicine.A brilliant insight into the forgotten heroes at the sharp end of humanitarian emergencies.' Jon Snow, Channel 4 NewsWinner of a Pride of Manchester Lifetime Achievement AwardThis is a story of tireless hard work and astonishing bravery.Tony Redmond has deployed to wars, refugee crises, air crashes, earthquakes, typhoons, volcanoes, and disease outbreaks for over thirty years. Featuring tales of hope and redemption, as well as untold suffering and mismanagement, this raw, honest account could only have been written by someone who has for decades performed incredible feats of altruism.Frontline takes the reader from the wards of Manchester's Nightingale hospital to Kosovo, from Sierra Leone's Ebola outbreak to Lockerbie, and from Haiti to the Philippines. We find its author risking life and limb to help those affected by events beyond their control.But while humanitarian work and medicine require an innate goodness, not all those involved have benign motives. And saving lives requires difficult choices: between the desire to relieve suffering and the need to weigh up the context. Too often medical aid is found wanting, doing more harm than good.How are life-or-death choices made in the heat of the moment? What are the consequences of your action, or inaction? Is it better at times to do nothing? How do you live with yourself if you want to help but can't?This is a frank account of the personal toll physical, mental and social emergency medicine levies on those who choose to do it. But ultimately, Frontline offers a tale of optimism, persistence and triumph over adversity, speaking to the resilience and fortitude of those who help and those whose lives they save.Trade Review‘A stunning example of humanity in action.’ Kate Adie CBE ‘A true Humanitarian.’ David Nott, author of War Doctor 'A brilliant book by a courageous medic at the perilous forefront of disaster medicine.' Professor Stephen Westaby, author of Fragile Lives ‘Redmond displays a dogged determination. … The impetus for his career in catastrophe has always been the desire to care and to make a difference.’ The Guardian ‘Redmond has been shot at, spent months sleeping on floors, seen countless children die and often lived in fear for his own life and that of his team.’ The Independent ‘An impressive story of courage and compassion, at great personal risk — and cost.' Gavin Francis, author of Adventures in Human Being ‘The vividly told story of a remarkable man. An inspiring book, full of humanity and goodness.’ Martin Sixsmith, author of Philomena and The Litvinenko File ‘Tony Redmond’s story of extraordinary bravery and compassion is devastating and inspiring in equal measure. A book of rare insight and candour.’ Dan Jarvis MP, author of Long Way Home: Love, life, death, and everything in between 'This is the extraordinary story of an inspiring humanitarian. Dr Redmond has shown over decades that with the determination to save and change lives there is no limit to giving and altruism.' Dr Waheed Arian, author of In the Wars

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Book SynopsisAt turns surprising, funny, and gut-wrenching, this is the hopeful story of the ordinary yet extraordinary people who have figured out how to build lasting peace in their communitiesThe word peacebuilding evokes a story we''ve all heard over and over: violence breaks out, foreign nations are scandalized, peacekeepers and million-dollar donors come rushing in, warring parties sign a peace agreement and, sadly, within months the situation is back to where it started--sometimes worse. But what strategies have worked to build lasting peace in conflict zones, particularly for ordinary citizens on the ground? And why should other ordinary citizens, thousands of miles away, care? In The Frontlines of Peace, Severine Autesserre, award-winning researcher and peacebuilder, examines the well-intentioned but inherently flawed peace industry. With examples drawn from across the globe, she reveals that peace can grow in the most unlikely circumstances. Contrary to what most politicians preach, building peace doesn''t require billions in aid or massive international interventions. Real, lasting peace requires giving power to local citizens.The Frontlines of Peace tells the stories of the ordinary yet extraordinary individuals and organizations that are confronting violence in their communities effectively. One thing is clear: successful examples of peacebuilding around the world, in countries at war or at peace, have involved innovative grassroots initiatives led by local people, at times supported by foreigners, often employing methods shunned by the international elite. By narrating success stories of this kind, Autesserre shows the radical changes we must take in our approach if we hope to build lasting peace around us--whether we live in Congo, the United States, or elsewhere.Trade ReviewHaving worked as an international aid worker in 12 different conflict zones, Autesserre, through her memoir and reporting, lays down a compelling account advocating for the need for grassroots initiatives for peacebuilding. The book comes as another addition to the authors extensive work addressing the failure of international interventions in building sustainable peace. * India Quarterly *[Autesserre] offers a crucial contribution to the growing body of literature which seeks to challenge the common assumptions, narratives, methodologies and strategies that have dominated the aid and peacemaking industry thus far. ... [The book] provides a great introductory insight into the world of peacebuilding, both theoretically, in terms of both mainstream and critical strategies and discourses, and practically, in terms of working with (or rather to ameliorate) international peacebuilding organizations. * The International Spectator *Autesserre's contrast of Peace, Inc., with local, creative initiatives that can build peace (in the United States as well as around the globe) offers a clear picture of two very different approaches, and it provides a compelling argument for why ordinary people can have outsized effects on violence. * African Conflict & Peacebuilding Review *Autesserre's book provides some fascinating insights into how localised peace approaches can work, and some of the paths that have not worked. The book represents an excellent introduction for students, as well as an important step forward in providing greater clarity around localized peace for both academics and peacebuilders. * The Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding *For anyone who really cares about improving the work of this flawed but still all too necessary field, Autesserres book makes for essential and uncomfortable reading. * Gordon Peake, Devpolicy Blog *Autesserre is the rare breed of academic who writes with passion, clarity, and a storyteller's eye for detail... she brings to the table nuance, rigor, passion, and firsthand knowledge, having previously cut her teeth as a peacebuilder herself... her contribution to this discussion, given the enormity of the stakes, is a much needed one. The UN is in dire need of critics like Autesserre—thoughtful observers to assess its shortcomings and hold it accountable. This is a bone worth picking. * Lionel Beehner, Political Science Quarterly *Séverine Autesserre has persistently made noteworthy and invaluable contributions to the literature on peacebuilding and conflict management, and The Frontlines of Peace is no exception to this trend... Séverine Autesserre has provided her readers with a roadmap for changing the world of peacebuilding; such change, however, will take time, as well as willingness and collaboration from both insiders and outsiders engaging in conflict management withinconflict zones. * Sven Botha, South African Journal of International Affairs *...the book is worth mining for serious scholars of peacekeeping. * Paul F. Diehl, International Peacekeeping *Severine Autesserre's The Frontlines of Peace is a story above anything else. It is a story that encompasses other mini-stories from different areas in the world that have suffered different kinds of conflict and violence... While providing well-thought but yet simply structured answers... Autesserres book also contains her witty and sharp sense of humor... What makes this page-turner even more worth reading is the fact that Severine Autesserre not only criticizes what doesn't work, but she also gives readers and practitioners great examples of what works. * Shadi Rouhshahbaz, Peacemaker 360 *A fascinating book. * Colette Braeckman, Le Soir *Severine Autesserre tells the story of ordinary women and men who manage to reduce violence in their communities every day, whether in the Congo, Colombia, or the United States. It's a captivating and inspiring story that invites readers to act. I hope it will encourage you to get more involved in the fight against violence and impunity, and to build peace at home and for our common humanity. * Denis Mukwege, 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate *Peace is possible but difficult. No one is omniscient about what turns swords into ploughshares, and it's essential that we always question our assumptions, learn from experience, and listen to experts who know both the big ideas and the facts on the ground. The Frontlines of Peace offers new insights into one of humanity's most noble endeavors. * Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and the author of The Better Angels of Our Nature and Enlightenment Now *Severine Autesserre combines a scholar's rigor and an activist's passion. With authority gained from hard experience, she shows how true peace must be built from the ground up and the inside out. A world in flames should heed her message. * Gideon Rose, Editor, Foreign Affairs *Peacebuilding rests on the courage and wisdom of those people closest to conflict, and we must invest in them in ways that dignify their work and commitment. Severine Autesserre's book makes clear how to do this. The Frontlines of Peace is a must-read. * John Paul Lederach, Professor Emeritus of International Peacebuilding, University of Notre Dame *In this remarkable book, Severine Autesserre draws on decades of experience in conflict zones and offices of international organizations to show how meaningful peace depends on local peacebuilding initiatives. Building on her inspiring and sometimes heart-breaking encounters with local activists about their work to address violence, redress suffering, and manage emergent conflict, it offers compelling recommendations for how to effectively support the necessary work of activists on the ground. * Elisabeth Jean Wood, Crosby Professor of the Human Environment, Yale University *Not just another book about international politics. It will change the way you see the world around you. * Leymah Gbowee, 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate *A seamless blend of autobiography, research reports from zones of peace, and Auteserre's scholarly discussion of how peacebuilding actually works in places that have suffered from violent conflict, The Frontlines of Peace will reward specialists, students, and general readers. * Ronald Edsforth, Peace & Change *[A] fascinating and insightful book. * Dr Anurug Chakma, Australian Outlook *Table of ContentsForeword by Leymah Gbowee, 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Preface - War, Hope, and Peace PART I - PEACE POSSIBLE Chapter 1 - Island of Peace Chapter 2 - Role Models PART II - PEACE, INC. Chapter 3 - Insiders and Outsiders Chapter 4 - Designed Intervention PART III - THE NEW PEACE MANIFESTO Chapter 5 - Peace by Piece Chapter 6 - Recasting Roles Chapter 7 - The Home Front Appendix - Sources Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisMany agree that the foreign aid system - which today involves virtually every nation on earth - needs drastic change. But there is much conflict as to what should be done. In Aid on the Edge of Chaos, Ben Ramalingam argues that what is most needed is the creative and innovative transformation of how aid works. Foreign aid today is dominated by linear, mechanistic ideas that emerged from early twentieth century industry, and are ill-suited to the world we face today. The problems and systems aid agencies deal with on a daily basis have more in common with ecosystems than machines: they are interconnected, diverse, and dynamic; they cannot be just simply re-engineered or fixed. Outside of aid, social scientists, economists, business leaders, and policy makers have started applying innovative and scientific approaches to such problems, informed by ideas from the ''new science'' of complex adaptive systems. Inspired by these efforts, aid practitioners and researchers have started experimenting with such approaches in their own work. This book showcases the experiences, insights, and often remarkable results of innovative thinkers and practitioners who are working to bring these approaches into the mainstream of aid. From transforming child malnutrition to rethinking economic growth, from building peace to reversing desertification, from rural Vietnam to urban Kenya, the ideas of complex systems thinking are starting to be used to make foreign aid more relevant, more appropriate, and more catalytic. Aid on the Edge of Chaos argues that such ideas and approaches should play a vital part of the transformation of aid. Aid should move from being an imperfect post-World War II global resource transfer system, to a new form of global cooperation that is truly fit for the twenty-first century.Trade ReviewThe examples presented in this work should prompt a reconsideration of how one thinks of foreign aid. * S. Paul, Choice *An exhaustive tour of the complex systems research landscape, including how it is used to understand phenomena as diverse as climate change, food price rises, ethnic segregation and the Arab spring ... Important and relevant for the aid world. * Amy Kazmin, Financial Times *The most interesting part of Mr Ramalingam's book is his discussion of how some agencies are beginning to learn from the way poor people can successfully do difficult things... [and that] experimenting repeatedly and quickly has much to offer the world of aid. * The Economist *Sets a new milestone in the aid debate... an impressive interdisciplinary tour * The Guardian Global Development Professionals Network *This book explains an important global activity few outsiders understand, and important scientific ideas that might yet turn it around. * Debora MacKenzie, New Scientist *Masterful. An important step towards changing our institutions and organizations Ramalingam skilfully draws upon a diverse body of ideas and research to deliver a vital message for aid and beyond. * Philip Ball, author of Critical Mass, Winner of the Aventis Royal Society Book of the Year *Aid on the Edge of Chaos will change the way you think... One of the most important books you will read about development. * Owen Barder, Senior Fellow, Center for Global Development *The accolades on the cover are well-founded; this is a great read, engagingly written, and full of vivid examples, poignantly-funny cartoons and a reflective humility that suits its subject matter. * Melissa Leach, Knowledge, Technology and Society *Many see international development aid as in thrall to linear, mechanized thinking, and champion approaches in which local people solve their own challenges with intelligently tailored backing. Ben Ramalingam offers a scientific model for that path... and fosters a new aid paradigm: an open innovation network, catalysing and leveraging change in countries around the world. * Nature *Breathtaking . . . catapults development thinking into the 21st century . . . read this book and be changed. * Andrew Zolli, Executive Director, Pop Tech and author of Resilience: Why Things Bounce Back *Ben Ramalingam's thought provoking and highly readable book re-frames the debate on aid and development challenges the existing aid paradigm and points the way towards a genuinely new approach - a new approach that is urgently needed. * Eric Beinhocker, Executive Director, Institute for New Economic Thinking at the Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford and author of The Origin of Wealth *Ben Ramalingam's tour de force of a book provides an unorthodox and fascinating insight into today's global aid sector: its current practices and sometimes faulty theories of action. This book is a vital source of inspiration. * Yves Daccord, Director General, ICRC *Marrying science, policy and practice with a deep moral conscience, this important book points to a future that that we should all be working towards. * Peter Doherty, Nobel Laureate, Medicine *Challenging... Much needed. Ramalingam pushes his reader to question traditional wisdoms, navigate different disciplines, and value the import of local experience. * Noreena Hertz, author of 'Eyes Wide Open: How to Make Smart Decisions in a Confusing World' *Ramalingam sets out a challenge to everyone working in international cooperation, to rethink our basic assumptions and to think and act in ways that are more attuned to the real world in all its complexities. This is one to read and re-read. * Sir Richard Jolly, Assistant Secretary General, United Nations *Ben Ramalingam convincingly shows why transformational change is so badly needed in foreign aid, and where it might come from. * Lynda Gratton, Professor of Management, London Business School, Author of Hot Spots *This well-written and thought-provoking book is an important contribution to redesigning aid for a messy, complex world. * Duncan Green, Senior Strategic Advisor, Oxfam *Ben Ramalingam is a leading champion of the adaptive, scientific, trial-and-error thinking that the aid industry badly needs. * Tim Harford, author of The Undercover Economist Strikes Back and Adapt *This excellent book [is] a must-read for anyone interested in development, its current discontents, and its future potential. * Ricardo Haussmann, former Chief Economist, Inter-American Development Bank and Director of the Centre for International Development, Harvard University *This is a superb book, boldly facing in this age of globalization the complexity of aid to developing countries. Impressive and inspiring, this work is destined to become a 21st century classic. * Dudley Herschbach, Nobel Laureate, Chemistry *With beautifully clear writing and stories, Ben Ramalingam uses complexity concepts to reveal the deep reasons for why aid sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. * Thomas Homer-Dixon, Director, Waterloo Institute for Complexity and Innovation, Author of The Upside of Down *Far from being a pessimistic funeral march, Ramalingam's wide-ranging discourse provides many inspiring examples of how complexity theory can be put to practical and meaningful use, and lays out a hopeful path forward. * Simon Levin, Moffat Professor of Ecology, Princeton University *Well-intentioned aid agencies sometimes oversimplify the problems they need to solve. [this] book makes the good case that the growing field of complex adaptive systems can help prevent such errors from being repeated. * Eric Maskin, Nobel Laureate, Economics *This brilliant book will energise the struggle to make big government, big money and big aid sensitive to contexts, humble about what they can achieve, and sophisticated about the connectedness of things. * Geoff Mulgan, Chief Executive, National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts, and former Director of UK Prime Minister's Strategy Unit *Ben Ramalingam seamlessly combines practical experience, policy relevance and scientific expertise. Aid on the Edge of Chaos deserves a very wide audience. * Paul Ormerod, author of Death of Economics and Positive Linking *A terrific, stimulating book. Ramalingam clearly and engagingly shows how the use of complex adaptive systems thinking can significantly strengthen and enhance the impacts and effectiveness of global foreign aid. * Jerry Sabloff, President, Santa Fe Institute *A magnificent piece of work a major contribution to the debate about how to rethink and improve the way we deliver aid worldwide. * Sir Nick Young, Chief Executive Officer, British Red Cross *Table of ContentsPART 1: THE WAY AID WORKS; PART 2: THE WAY THE WORLD WORKS; PART 3: THE WAY AID COULD WORK

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978-0309267809

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Book SynopsisOffering a comprehensive, accessible analysis, this handbook outlines how humanitarian organizations can implement personal data protection law to uphold the rights and dignity of the most vulnerable. It explores legal principles and requirements, new technologies, and humanitarian programming. Available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

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Book SynopsisThis volume of The Official History of Australian Peacekeeping, Humanitarian and Post-Cold War Operations recounts the activities of Australia's military forces in response to overseas natural disasters. The military's involvement in overseas emergency management is focused primarily on the period immediately after disaster strikes: transporting relief supplies, providing medical assistance, restoring basic services and communications and other logistical support. Beginning with the 1917â18 influenza epidemic that ravaged the Pacific and culminating with the 2005 Pakistan earthquake, this book covers Australia's response to some of the most catastrophic natural events of the twentieth century. In their Time of Need is richly detailed, as Steven Bullard weaves together official government records and archival images with the personal narratives and photographs of those who served. This volume is an authoritative and compelling history of Australia's efforts to help their neighbours.Table of ContentsPart I. Australia's Disaster Policies: 1. From arbitrary assistance to organised chaos: the history of international disaster relief; 2. Capable, available and willing to respond: Australia's overseas disaster policies; 3. 'A plurality of mandates': the context of overseas disaster policy; Part II. Australia's Disaster Relief Operations: 4. Combatting the Spanish lady: Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji influenza pandemic, 1918–19; 5. A tale of two mountains: volcanoes at Rabaul in 1937 and Mount Lamington in 1951; 6. A sustained relief effort: new Hebrides cyclone, 1959–60; 7. Goodwill in a time of tension: Indonesia, 1960–63; 8. Help for the highlands: influenza and famine relief, 1969–72; 9. Back to Bali: earthquakes in Irian Jaya and Bali, 1976; 10. Regional assistance: disasters in the Solomon Islands and Tonga, 1977–82; 11. Disaster relief in post-independence PNG, 1975–94: earthquakes, famine, floods, cyclones and volcanoes; 12. 'The unleashed fury of Mother Nature': cyclones in Fiji and Vanuatu, 1979–88; 13. 'An outstanding overall effort': Cyclone Namu in the Solomon Islands, 1986; 14. Cyclone relief in the Pacific, 1990–93: Cyclones Ofa, Betsy and Kina; 15. El Niño drought relief: Operation Sierra/Ples Drai, Papua New Guinea, 1997-98; 16. Famine relief in the midst of chaos: Operation AusIndo Jaya, Indonesia, 1998; 17. Ples bagarap: Operation Shaddock, Papua New Guinea, 1998; 18. 'The worst in living memory': Operation Niue Assist and disasters in the Pacific, 1998–2004; 19. Waves of destruction: Indian Ocean tsunami and the international response, 2004-05; 20. The road to Banda Aceh: ADF planning, deployment and airlift mission; 21. 'We saw the worst of it': medical and engineering support in Operation Sumatra Assist; 22. Getting the job done: enabling Operation Sumatra Assist, threats and withdrawal; 23. 'Here is your loved one back and this is their name': Operation Cawdor and Operation Thai Assist, Thailand, 2004–06; 24. 'In their time of need': Operation Sumatra Assist II, 2005; 25. The 'Day of Judgement': deploying on Operation Pakistan Assist, 2005–06; 26. 'They have won our hearts forever': operation Pakistan Assist, 2005–06; 27. Conclusion: Australia's overseas emergency relief operations, 1918–2006.

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Book SynopsisFrom international NGOs to UN agencies, from donors to observers of humanitarianism, opinion is unanimous: in a context of the alleged 'clash of civilizations', our 'humanitarian space' is shrinking. Put in another way, the freedom of action and of speech of humanitarians is being eroded due to the radicalization of conflicts and to the reaffirmation of state sovereignty over aid actors and policies. The purpose of this book is to challenge this assumption through the analysis of the events that have marked MSF's history since 2003 (when MSF published its first general work on humanitarian action and its relationships with governments). It addresses the evolution of humanitarian goals, the resistance to these goals and the political arrangements that overcame this resistance (or that failed to do so). The contributors seek to analyze the political transactions and balances of power and interests that allow aid activities to move forward, but that are usually masked by the lofty rhetoric of 'humanitarian principles'. They focus on one key question: what is an acceptable compromise for MSF. This book seeks to puncture a number of the myths that have grown up over the last forty years since MSF was founded and describes in detail how the ideals of humanitarian principles and 'humanitarian space' to operate in conflict zones are in reality illusory. How in fact it is the grubby negotiations with varying parties, each of whom have their own vested interests, that may allow organisations such as MSF to operate in a given crisis situation -- or notTrade ReviewThis book challenges the perception that humanitarian organisations cannot speak or act freely and that their influence is on the wane. * Law Society Journal *Thank goodness for MSF. Where else would we find such candour and self-criticism? Laid out here are unblinking accounts of the dilemmas facing the humanitarian agencies in a chaotic world, and clear-eyed appraisals of how MSF tries, and sometimes fails, to respond with its principles intact. Let's hope the other relief agencies are paying attention. -- Peter Gill, journalist and author of 'Famine and Foreigners: Ethiopia since Live Aid'These stories and reflections illustrate the tragic humanitarian paradox: to act morally, one can't always be principled. Neutrality and impartiality disappear into the pantheon of defunct ideals, as MSF defends a robust opportunism in the best sense of the word: reality-based situational ethics. -- Dirk Salomons, director of the Program for Humanitarian Affairs at the School of International Public Affairs, Columbia UniversityThis is a book about realism: the art of doing what's possible in impossible situations, and preserving reputation and skills to provide relief in the next crisis, in the next country. Through seven case studies and an insightful history of modern humanitarian action, this collection of essays represents a maturing of MSF's view of the world. Gone is the fundamentalist rant of 'our principles at any price' and in its place is a more nuanced pragmatic approach which keeps its eye firmly on the goal of alleviating suffering but understands the need to compromise and invent, choosing the best possible path to reach the goal. -- Dr. Peter Walker, Director, Feinstein International Center, Tufts University'Humanitarian Negotiations Revealed' is a very good and extremely useful book. It brings important new information and candid discussions of ethical and operational decision-making to important parts of humanitarian studies and international relations. ... Clear, practical, and easy to read, this book is exceptional for its frank and public self-scrutiny. In this respect, it breaks new ground, demonstrating a truly reflective NGO that is not afraid to learn in public. A rare text in humanitarian and organizational studies. -- Hugo Slim, author of 'Killing Civilians: Method, Madness and Morality in War'For many commentators, the 'golden age' of humanitarian intervention is over. The War on Terror and the rise of strong states in the global South has reduced the room for manoeuvre for humanitarian agencies. Western governments are once again constructing value-blind international alliances as a cornerstone of their own national security. Drawing on its own history and recent experiences, in this important and timely book MSF unflinchingly surveys this new operational terrain. The result is highly readable and challenging appraisal of what it means to be a humanitarian actor in today’s rebalancing world. With a refreshing honesty, it explores the thin line that humanitarian agencies tread between saving lives and supporting oppressors. This brave and informative book reconfirms MSF as an organisation that thinks as well as acts. -- Mark Duffield, Professor of Development Politics and Director, Global Insecurities Centre, University of BristolThe most detailed and self-critical inside account of the deals aid agencies are forced to negotiate, often with groups and regimes which abuse human rights, to continue their work. -- Peter Beaumont, GuardianWhilst MSF has acquired a reputation for 'speaking out' on behalf of the victims of conflicts and disasters, this fascinating and timely book shows that this tradition, always rather ambiguously adhered to, is today very much under threat. Longstanding concerns that public declarations will jeopardise MSF's aid operations have now been supplemented by concerns that these declarations will add weight to calls for military intervention and for prosecutions in international courts, thereby further jeopardising MSF operations on the ground. Meanwhile, a range of governments in conflict-affected countries are reining in free speech through formal contracts with NGOs. Using a series of illuminating case studies, the book highlights the shifting dilemmas faced by aid workers. It brings out the perennial dangers of silence and stresses the continuing need to highlight the hidden victims of 'just wars' (whether these are civil wars, Western wars, or both). The book also exemplifies MSF's traditions of self-criticism and internal disagreement, traditions that -- in an age of public relations and self-promotion -- are now more valuable than ever. -- David Keen, Professor of Conflict Studies, London School of Economics and Political ScienceA great fact-filled book that will broaden your horizons on the very admirable work of people involved in the Medicins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) organization. * Bizindia *

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Book SynopsisA simple to use catalogue, containing a wealth of illustrations, with a unique combination of written text and visual aids.Visual aids can provide information, provoke discussion and discovery, and make difficult ideas easy to understand. They can also improve the accessibility of a book or a poster simply by making it look more interesting. The book contains more than 1,200 drawings (over 700 new to this second edition) relating to a wide range of educational and health issues, along with advice on copying, enlarging, and otherwise changing the illustrations to make them appropriate to a particular situation, without using special equipment. There is also advice on pre-testing materials, to make sure their message will be understood by the intended audience.

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Book SynopsisThe challenges facing humanitarian logistics are huge. Refugee camps present enormously challenging environments in which sudden spikes in demand, difficult to access locations, disruptions due to conflict or disasters, as well as normal supply chain problems are commonplace. This means that orders for medical and other supplies can take weeks and sometimes months to fulfil, severely impeding humanitarian operations. There is also a lack of or slow adoption of technology routinely used elsewhere. In addition, humanitarian logistics are also expensive. When customs clearance, transportation, storage, middlemen and administration are added in, the costs of basic items are often exorbitant.Managing Humanitarian Innovation presents a new approach that is beginning to transform the way humanitarian logistics are conducted. Innovation in logistics includes disrupting and improving supply chains through the use of technology, especially 3D printers, and engaging people to manage this approach. The book discusses what innovation is, and strategies for supporting it; it describes practical innovations and how they have been applied; and it outlines how innovation labs can be run. Finally it covers how to fund innovation and it suggests how humanitarian innovation might develop in the future.This book brings together the real experience of practitioners who have made innovation work. It is a collaborative work written by and for the community of people involved in humanitarian innovation, in particular in the making and manufacturing of humanitarian supplies. The book is full of practical and actionable points of value to the humanitarian community. Managing Humanitarian Innovation is essential reading for humanitarian practitioners as well as volunteers and others involved in humanitarian supplies provision. It is equally helpful to thought leaders, policy makers and educators.

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Book SynopsisMuch like the large commercial companies, most humanitarian aid organisations now have departments specifically dedicated to protecting the security of their personnel and assets. The management of humanitarian security has gradually become the business of professionals who develop data collection systems, standardized procedures, norms, and training meant to prevent and manage risks. A large majority of aid agencies and security experts see these developments as inevitable -- all the more so because of quantitative studies and media reports concluding that the dangers to which aid workers are today exposed are completely unprecedented. Yet, this trend towards professionalisation is also raising questions within aid organisations, MSF included. Can insecurity be measured by scientific means and managed through norms and protocols? How does the professionalisation of security affect the balance of power between field and headquarters, volunteers and the institution that employs them? What is its impact on the implementation of humanitarian organizations' social mission? Are there alternatives to the prevailing security model(s) derived from the corporate world?Building on MSF's experience and observations of the aid world by academics and practitioners, the authors of this book look at the drivers of the professionalization of humanitarian security and its impact on humanitarian practices, with a specific focus on Syria, CAR and kidnapping in the Caucasus.Trade Review'Humanitarian work has always been dangerous, though cultures and perceptions of risk have changed -- ranging from the heroic spirit of chivalry to the mundanity of actuarial calculus. In this comprehensive and critical -- and rivetingly frank -- collection, MSF once again shows its capacity for thoughtful engagement with the toughest humanitarian dilemmas.' * Alex de Waal, Executive Director, the World Peace Foundation, Tufts University *'Dealing with one of the most pressing security issues in our present age of conflict -- the safety of those who save others -- this book directly confronts some of the painful tensions between the desire to increase the safety of volunteer medical workers and the frustrations of that process. This is essential reading not only for risk management and voluntary organisation experts, but also for a wider audience as a testimony of our times.' * Michael Power, Professor of Accounting, London School of Economics, former Director of the Centre for the Analysis of Risk and Regulation, and author of Organized Uncertainty: Designing a World of Risk Management *'At a time when gaining humanitarian access is increasing difficult and dangerous for international aid workers, MSF's Saving Lives and Staying Alive is essential reading for anyone wanting a candid first-hand account of the fraught policy, practical and political issues that accompany the attempt to help others in a polarised world.' * Mark Duffield, Emeritus Professor, Global Insecurities Centre, University of Bristol *'A timely and important contribution to debates about humanitarian security and the security management sector. Drawing upon decades of operational experience, MSF challenges accepted wisdom and offers a thoughtful critique of the evolution and professionalization of the sector. The book is a must-read for humanitarians everywhere.' * Larissa Fast, author of Aid in Danger: The Perils and Promise of Humanitarianism *'Is it worth risking lives to save lives? Is the humanitarian spirit of sacrifice a delusion, requiring harsh security restraints, or is risk management a contradiction in terms? This book questions the validity of a remotely controlled, apolitical and technical approach to staff security, and argues that, in a climate of operational uncertainty, nothing trumps trust in the judgment of seasoned staff on the ground.' * Dirk Salomons, Professor of International Affairs, Columbia University *

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Book Synopsis"A much needed, eminently readable, concise and practical textbook ... New issues on humanitarian reform, non-communicable diseases, equity, corruption, and the role of military and private security firms are only some of the topics that have not been included in previous text books on this subject. I highly recommend this book for students and practitioners who wish to learn about the subject or simply update themselves on the latest developments in the field of conflict and public health." Paul Spiegel, Deputy Director of the Division of Programme Support and Management at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Switzerland"These are the most difficult environments to program in; physically, emotionally, politically and morally. Providing public health support and assistance here demands courage, rigor, a commitment to professionalism and an obsession with evidence. This book provides just such a foundation, equipping the student and practitionTable of ContentsOverview of the book Section 1: Context1.Causes of conflict 2.Effects of conflict on societies 3.Effects of conflict on health4.International responses to conflict5. The humanitarian systemSection 2: Humanitarian Health Interventions6. Initial assessment and priority-setting7.Health services delivery8.Infectious disease controlbr>9. Chronic and cross-cutting interventions 10.Monitoring and evaluation11.Security and protectionSection 3: Reconstruction12.Transition and early recovery13.Post-conflict health system strengthening 14.Health in statebuilding and peacebuilding15. Conflict and health concepts and prioritiesGlossary

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Book SynopsisCurrent foreign aid programs are failing because they are based upon flawed assumptions about how countries develop. They attempt to achieve development without first achieving good governance and security, which are essential prerequisites for sustainable development. In focusing on the poorer members of society, they neglect the elites upon whose leadership the quality of governance and security depends. By downplaying the relevance of cultural factors to development, they avoid altering cultural characteristics that account for most of the weaknesses of elites in poor nations. Drawing on a wealth of examples from around the world, the author shows that foreign aid can be made much more effective by focusing it on human capital development. Training, education, and other forms of assistance can confer both skills and cultural attributes on current and future leaders, especially those responsible for security and governance.Trade Review'Mark Moyar has written a compelling critique of the prevailing practices and underlying logic of the development community and its approach to foreign aid. He draws upon an impressive intellectual lineage in his broader arguments about the importance of culture and civilization. He is especially critical of the Annales School of Braudel and its adherents. In doing so, Moyar argues that the predominant emphasis on development itself, including policies and infrastructure, is largely misplaced and that the building of human capital, including training of elites, effective governance, and the provision of a stable security environment, constitutes an essential sine qua non for progress in the developing world.' Robert J. Lieber, Georgetown University'Mark Moyar's brilliantly argued and thoroughly researched new book is a fine contribution to the debate over more effective development theory and practice. He writes as a pro-aid conservative unfettered by the heavy ideological baggage of the egalitarian left which has for too long dominated (and distorted) the debate on aid reform. Aid for Elites should be added to the reading list of all development professionals.' Andrew S. Natsios, George H. W. Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A & M University'In Aid for Elites Mark Moyar makes a brilliantly argued and compelling case for reviving efforts to invest in human capital as a cornerstone in the development of nations. He analyzes how human capital is the make or break - and often ignored - component in establishing and maintaining functioning institutions. He explains the missteps and faulty logic that saw the US foreign and development policy establishment ditch their large scale programs investing in people in the 1950s and 60s - in favor of an overemphasis on primary education and over reliance on expensive, foreign technical assistance. Re-establishing initiatives in training and education - with necessary adaptations - could present a far cheaper and more effective way than the current set of practices to promote security, rule of law and development. Policy makers and students of security and development alike would be wise to give this book and its recommendations serious attention.' Clare Lockhart, Institute for State Effectiveness, Washington, DCTable of Contents1. Pathways to development; 2. How governments work; 3. Civilization; 4. Human capital development; 5. Human capital and national security; 6. Training; 7. Militarization; 8. Education in the third world; 9. Education in the United States; 10. Support; 11. Measurement; 12. Conclusion: a new foreign assistance strategy.

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Book SynopsisThis book is structured in four sections. Section 1 looks at the issues related to theoretical and methodological considerations. Chapter 1 to 5 deal with gaps in measuring effectiveness of development aid programs including issues related to evaluability assessment, outcome mapping and sustainability (Chapter 1), perspective in measuring effectiveness (chapter 2), the application of narrative and dialogue methods in defining and redefining effectiveness (chapter 3), the role of economic modelling in measuring the impact and effectiveness of aid programs (chapter 4) and the outline of how the effectiveness of HIV prevention is currently being measured at a global level, and the requirements at local and national levels (chapter 5). Section two looks at principles and practice with some case studies. Chapter 6, selling humanitarian emergencies to the media, focuses on the relationship between journalists and aid workers and suggests practical strategies relief agencies can take to raise the media profile.

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Book SynopsisThe U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) reduces the average delivery time frame for emergency food aid by prepositioning food domestically -- that is, in warehouses in the United States -- and overseas. This book examines the effects of prepositioning on emergency food aid delivery time frames; the effects of prepositioning on the costs of the food aid; and the extent to which the agency monitors prepositioning to maximise time savings and cost effectiveness.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisTop experts in the field discuss how to improve the effectiveness of foreign aid, proposing practical solutions to specific problems rather than a utopian master plan.The urgency of reducing poverty in the developing world has been the subject of a public campaign by such unlikely policy experts as George Clooney, Alicia Keyes, Elton John, Angelina Jolie, and Bono. And yet accompanying the call for more foreign aid is an almost universal discontent with the effectiveness of the existing aid system. In Reinventing Foreign Aid, development expert William Easterly has gathered top scholars in the field to discuss how to improve foreign aid. These authors, Easterly points out, are not claiming that their ideas will (to invoke a current slogan) Make Poverty History. Rather, they take on specific problems and propose some hard-headed solutions. Easterly himself, in an expansive and impassioned introductory chapter, makes a case for the “searchers”—who explo

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Book SynopsisA swashbuckling Texan, a teller of tall tales, a womanizer, and a renegade, Fred Cuny spent his life in countries rent by war, famine, and natural disasters, saving many thousands of lives through his innovative and sometimes controversial methods of relief work. Cuny earned his nickname 'Master of Disaster' for his exploits in Kurdistan, Somalia, and Bosnia. But when he arrived in the rogue Russian republic of Chechnya in the spring of 1995, raring to go and eager to put his ample funds from George Soros to good use, he found himself in the midst of an unimaginably savage war of independence, unlike any he had ever before encountered. Shortly thereafter, he disappeared in the war-rocked highlands, never to be seen again.Who was Cuny really working for? Was he a CIA spy? Who killed him, and why? In search of the answers, Scott Anderson traveled to Chechnya on a hazardous journey that started as as a magazine assignment and ended as a personal mission. The result is a galvanizin

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Book SynopsisJessica Alexander arrived in Rwanda in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide as an idealistic intern, eager to contribute to the work of the international humanitarian aid community. But the world that she encountered in the field was dramatically different than anything she could have imagined. It was messy, chaotic, and difficult—but she was hooked.    In this honest and irreverent memoir, she introduces readers to the realities of life as an aid worker. We watch as she manages a 24,000-person camp in Darfur, collects evidence for the Charles Taylor trial in Sierra Leone, and contributes to the massive aid effort to clean up a shattered Haiti. But we also see the alcohol-fueled parties and fleeting romances, the burnouts and self-doubt, and the struggle to do good in places that have long endured suffering.     Tracing her personal journey from wide-eyed and naïve newcomer to hardened cynic and, ultimately, to hopeful but critical real

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Book SynopsisReviews the experience of nearly 200 output-based aid (OBA) projects in six sectors. This book is suitable for OBA practitioners, donors, and governments.

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Book SynopsisThe COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges for individuals, societies, and economies around the world. But it has also presented opportunities for growth and improvement in various domains. In this book, Dr. Saeed Siyal, an expert in management science, provides a comprehensive explanation for why pandemics and similar crises are both detrimental and simultaneously prompt long-needed change. Through a thorough analysis of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Saeed Siyal explores the ways in which it has forced individuals, organizations, and governments to adapt and find new solutions to the problems we face, many of which were exacerbated by the crisis. Using Crises and Disasters as Opportunities for Innovation and Improvement covers a range of topics, including healthcare, remote work, education, environment, and social connections, and provides evidence-based insights and practical solutions for adapting to the challenges and opportunities of COVID-19. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in advancing the standards of their organizations and making a positive impact on society. It is designed for managers, leaders, corporate sectors, MNCs, SMEs, academicians, and policymakers.

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Book SynopsisAn account of the Flint water crisis shows that Flint''s struggle for safe and affordable water is part of a broader struggle for democracy.When Flint, Michigan, changed its source of municipal water from Lake Huron to the Flint River, Flint residents were repeatedly assured that the water was of the highest quality. At the switchover ceremony, the mayor and other officials performed a celebratory toast, declaring “Here''s to Flint!” and downing glasses of freshly treated water. But as we now know, the water coming out of residents'' taps harbored a variety of contaminants, including high levels of lead. In Flint Fights Back, Benjamin Pauli examines the water crisis and the political activism that it inspired, arguing that Flint''s struggle for safe and affordable water was part of a broader struggle for democracy. Pauli connects Flint''s water activism with the ongoing movement protesting the state of Michigan''s policy of replacing elected officials in fi

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Book SynopsisA Marxist-feminist approach examining disaster relief in the USTrade Review'Tells a fascinating and insightful tale of how the state, increasingly unable and unwilling to care for its citizens, came to depend on community survival projects in the face of disaster' -- Joshua Clover, author of Riot. Strike. Riot. (Verso, 2016)'A searching enquiry, keyed to our age of pandemics and climate catastrophe, and an exemplary application of insights from Marxist Social Reproduction Theory' -- Gareth Dale, author of Reconstructing Karl Polanyi (Pluto, 2016)Table of ContentsAcknowledgements 1. 2005: The Unclaimed Corpses 2. Vulnerability Beyond Resilience 3. Disasters and Social Reproduction 4. 1930: Disasters, Natural and Federal 5. 1970: The Black Panthers' Quest for Dual Power 6. 1995: Poverty, Crime and the Heat 7. 2012: The Strange Success of Occupy Sandy 8. The Separated Society 9. 2020: I Can't Breathe Notes Bibliography Index

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