Translating Humanitarian Aid into Technical Cooperation: Yugoslavia’s Medical Assistance to the Algerian National Liberation Movement (1958–1965)

Abstract

Shedding light on the complexities of humanitarian aid, this study showcases its intersection with national interests and exposes the agency of beneficiaries in shaping international aid agendas. The paper examines Yugoslavia’s medical assistance to the Algerian national liberation movement, tracing its evolution from humanitarian emergency relief amidst decolonisation conflict into technical assistance aid in post-colonial reconstruction. Spanning the years 1958 to 1965, it demonstrates the transitions and the nexus between humanitarian aid and development assistance, revealing blurred lines between the two. Yugoslavia’s humanitarian efforts in Algeria were not merely acts of solidarity but strategic manoeuvres to enhance its image and influence in the Third World. Following the conflict’s end and Algerian independence, the Yugoslav government translated humanitarian aid into technical assistance, thereby exhibiting a shift towards a commercialised approach to aid. However, the research underscores the significant role of non-political actors, particularly the Yugoslav Red Cross, in building bridges to the post-colonial world and shaping effective humanitarian responses. Moreover, emphasising the donor-recipient dynamic, it challenges the idea of aid relationships as exclusively hierarchical. Possessing a significant negotiation capacity, evident at both state and individual levels, the paper revealed how the Algerians were able to direct Yugoslav aid agendas.