Humanitarian Diplomacy

Abstract

The article describes humanitarian diplomacy that has to break a potential ideological ice between belligerent parties, establish a network of diplomatic connections in a skillful way, and use every opportunity available to support victims of war. An indisputable fact is that the higher the reputation and the stronger the trust to those using humanitarian diplomacy strategies, the better results will be achieved. The combination of diplomacy and humanitarian activities may lead to the emergence of unexpected interactions. The International Federation of Red Cross mentions that the goal humanitarian diplomacy seeks to achieve is the provision of better care for socially disadvantaged groups of society from governments; establishment of closer ties with decision-makers to generate opportunities to influence them; maintenance of a permanent dialogue at both national and international levels; engagement to a discussion of those who work in the field of humanitarian diplomacy; increase in transparency of such discussion; enhancement of the ability to govern all the useful resources; cooperation with other actors pursuing the same humanitarian goals. Humanitarian diplomacy has to direct its actions at all crises and to both governmental and non-governmental entities of international law; take into account that its aim is to open borders and establish humanitarian corridors ensuring the provision of direct assistance to refugees. The main task is to guarantee long-term actions, while avoiding temporary and fragile alternatives. That is the basis for humanitarian diplomacy of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta with all its peculiarities. Keywords: the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Red Cross, international law, humanitarian diplomacy, crises.