Humanitarian Challenges Research Articles

Гуманітарна діяльність в умовах війни в Україні

This article is devoted to the study of humanitarian action of the international and national actors in Ukraine. The urgency of the work is driven by the deepening of the humanitarian crisis against the background of the continuation of the active phase of the Russia-Ukraine war. The purpose of the article is to generalize the contextual changes of humanitarian action in Ukraine, including institutional, sectoral, managerial and other aspects. The novelty of the study consists in the formulation of proposals for the activation of humanitarian action in Ukraine at the national and local levels, which are rethought through the prism of the international humanitarian system and the features of humanitarian response in Ukraine. The desk research of open sources which is supported by a review of the latest thematic publications, operational summaries, data sets and their analysis is used for this purpose. An overview of the modern international humanitarian system, the main tools and mechanisms of humanitarian response is provided. International and domestic categorical apparatuses in the field of humanitarian action are compared. New dimensions of the humanitarian crisis, systemic challenges and operational problems of humanitarian response that arose after February 24, 2022 in Ukraine are summarized. The funding for humanitarian needs of Ukraine over the past decade has been analyzed, including interagency response plans for Ukraine for 2022 (the Flash Appeal and the Regional Refugee Response Plan). The humanitarian response at the international and national levels has been studied. It has been concluded that humanitarian action in Ukraine is based on reliable tools, mechanisms and models of the international humanitarian system, as well as on its own humanitarian traditions and initiatives. Together, they ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian response and contribute to unprecedented financial support for Ukraine in the global dimension. Thanks to this, in a fairly short time, a new space for humanitarian action began to form in Ukraine, in which the presence of international and national humanitarian actors was expanded and the interaction of humanitarian actors was improved.

Artificial Intelligent Systems and the Problem of “Natural” Trust

The development of AI technologies has heightened the problem of humanitarian challenges at all levels of social regulations. Ethical issues and, in particular, the problem of trust have become relevant to the field of high technology, given the fact that AI performs increasingly significant managerial functions that previously could only be performed by humans. This issue is directly related to artificial intelligence systems, which have already been embodied in specific extensive projects. In this study, the authors analyze the concept of trust through the prism of technological development. For this purpose, the study presents an overview of historical and contemporary interpretations of the concept of trust and proves that this concept is relevant and necessary to control the risks that arise when integrating AI products into social life. The authors show that a rethinking of the concepts of ethics and morality in the new context is required. This is a necessary requirement for the creation of trusted AI and for the achievement of trust in human interaction with technology products. The authors conclude that it is necessary to build an interdisciplinary dialogue to integrate theory and practice from numerous fields. To do this, it is necessary to create a common knowledge base and a platform for communication between all stakeholders, but it is also important to create favorable conditions for sustainable and constructive interaction. Therefore, trust is a relevant concept that needs to be constructed in a multidimensional frame of reference that targets different stakeholders and also takes into account interaction between human and technology, in other words, at all levels and on all scales.

Fixing China’s humanitarian aid architecture: what are the lessons from the European Union and the United States?

The global humanitarian situation has deteriorated drastically since the outbreak of COVID-19 and the Russian–Ukrainian war. The European Union and the United States are forerunners to providing global humanitarian aid, but China’s visibility and role in global humanitarian affairs has significantly increased. Although China has been contributing more, its humanitarian aid concept remains vague, its aid mechanism is fragmented, and its approach to providing aid is rigid. These factors make China unprepared for tackling future humanitarian challenges. There are notable divergences in terms of concepts and mechanisms for and approaches to humanitarian aid among the European Union, the United States and China. Despite the pitfalls in the humanitarian aid architectures of the European Union and United States, China can learn from them to strive for an architecture that can help it aid more effectively. In particular, China should build coherence and consistency among aid concept, mechanism and approach, streamline aid mechanism, and give full play of non-governmental actors.

‘Himalayasia’: Reclaiming Regional Identity in South Asia

South Asia is a conflict-prone region with numerous humanitarian challenges. South Asian states have long been struggling to bridge the political gaps among themselves. Regionalism has not been instrumental enough in this regard. This paper identifies a lack of regional identity for the South Asian peoples as one of the major obstacles why regionalism has never had much impact on the political map of South Asia. It is argued here that South Asia needs a major regional reorientation to reclaim its historic and cultural commonalities. And, that can be facilitated by a unique and meaningful geographical identification. In this regard, the Himalayan Mountain Range can be regarded as a geographical connector of the major South Asian States; hence, ‘Himalayasia’ could be a suitable name for their regional reorientation. The proposition is an outcome of a people-centric approach to constructing collective identity through social interaction among the peoples of South Asia based on their geographical identity and its already existing socio-cultural and civilizational legacies, which is expected to have gradual and incremental political implications in the states of this region. The research is qualitative-constructive as well as normative. It uses information, concepts and ideas from secondary sources and based on that substantiates new propositions vis-à-vis regional identity in South Asia.

Contributions of the Most Significant Change (MSC) to Monitoring and Evaluation

This paper discusses the contributions of the Most Significant Change (MSC), its benefits and challenges in the context of monitoring and evaluation. The inquiry used qualitative methods of data review. It was evident that one of the recognizable change systems of the monitoring and evaluation model is the Most Significant Change (MSC) analysis. The model was founded by Rick Davies in late 1993, and it is still helpful to date, particularly in social settings. Today, the majority of NGOs in developed and developing countries use the model to evaluate and monitor their projects through consideration of various stories as well as through the use of democratic and participatory involvement of others in the project. In using the model, project managers must gather stories, especially stories of substantial transformation among staff, volunteers, participants, and groups. The stories are then verified to evaluate the changes in place. The model works best in social settings, and it was first applied in Bangladesh by Christian workers and Rick Davies to solve humanitarian project challenges. In using the model, key elements and steps that should be considered include defining the change, deciding how to collect the stories and collecting the most significant change stories. The stories are then verified, and evaluation is done to ensure that the project meets all the stakeholder's needs and values. The model works best with qualitative methods and is mostly used when changes are uncertain. However, it is associated with unreliable data and bias since it involves personal stories. It is important that project managers use the model to promote the accountability and transparency of their projects. This study fully contributes to monitoring and evaluation since it highlights some of the ways that project teams can use in managing their stories and using such stories to promote their project scope, accountability and transparency.

Nursing our planet

The aim of this article is to explore the role of nurses with regards to climate change and other humanitarian challenges. The climate crisis facing our planet is not just about extreme weather events. To be properly understood and addressed, climate change should be recognised as a global public health emergency that needs urgent attention from governments everywhere. In this article, International Council of Nurses (ICN) Chief Executive Officer Howard Catton discusses the links between climate change, nursing practice and advocacy. He argues that the crises the world faces, including those related to global warming, can be handled better if they are understood as public health crises, and that having nurses involved in policymaking at every level in society provides the best chance of individuals' health needs being met. Conclusion and Implications for Nursing and/or Health Policy: Nurses must be actively involved in policymaking that addresses the humanitarian and public health impact of climate change and natural and human-made disasters. Only half the world's countries have a government-level chief nursing officer who is able to represent the nursing profession at the highest levels of policymaking. This deficit should be corrected as soon as possible so that the voices of nurses are heard and respected, and patients everywhere can benefit from the direct input of nursing into all government policies that influence people's health and well-being.

Humanitarian Challenges of Great Power Conflict: Signs from Ukraine

Abstract Until the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there was little evidence of what a conventional war between the regular forces of peer competitors might look like today. After the total war of the twentieth century, the evolution of precision-guided munitions and drones set up the possibility of a new ideal type of conflict, in which U.S.-NATO coalitions could quickly defeat the regular forces of much weaker opponents, largely from a distance, while avoiding excess loss of civilian life. “Smart” weapons created the perception that when civilians were killed, this was an operational failure. Russia's approach to war, however, has not put a high priority on avoiding civilian casualties, but has shown that precise weapons could be used deliberately to target civilian infrastructure in ruthless and coercive air campaigns. In this essay, I suggest that the Russia-Ukraine War provides insight into what a major power war would look like. I contrast the two distinct approaches represented by Ukraine, strengthened by NATO weapons and informed by its concepts, and Russia, with its readiness to attack civil society. I focus on the resulting humanitarian disaster in Ukraine, where more than one-quarter of the population has been displaced and where Ukrainians in Russian-occupied territories have reported thousands of instances of war crimes. I conclude by considering the likelihood and potential consequences of Russia's use of nuclear weapons.

The Ukraine Conflict and its Resonance in the European Real Estate Market: Geopolitical Turning Points of the 21st Century and their Real Estate Echo Effects

This paper examines the geopolitical dynamics of the 21st century, highlighting the global impact of regional conflicts exemplified by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Recognised as a major conflict since March 2022, the conflict has not only triggered a significant refugee crisis, but has also created significant economic, social and humanitarian challenges that have equally particularly affected the European real estate sector. The invasion is referred to as a “black swan” event. The study examines the impact of the Ukraine conflict on the European real estate market, focusing on the resilience of the market, the opportunities and risks, and the appropriate responses of investors to such unforeseen events. The study uses the DiPasquale-Wheaton model as a theoretical framework to analyse the interaction between the real estate and rental markets and provide insights into their responses to exogenous shocks such as sudden immigration. However, the limitations of the model are acknowledged as it provides a simplified representation of reality and may not properly capture the dynamic evolution of the market after the shock or short-term responses. The paper emphasises the need for caution and prudence in investment decisions to avoid panicky market reactions and potential liquidity shortages. It argues for a deeper understanding of the intricate relationships between geopolitical events and the real estate industry in a globalised European context and highlights the complex valuation issues involved in multi-asset class allocations involving real estate. Ultimately, the study calls for a reassessment of asset allocation in light of new geopolitical risks, using the DiPasquale-Wheaton model as a valuable tool to illustrate the dynamic interplay between real estate and rental markets and to guide investment decisions amid uncertainty.

Students’ attitudes towards searching, evaluating, and sharing Covid-19 related information

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus challenged our everyday life and habits developed in our work and living environment. The highly contagious disease has led the whole world to unprecedented business, humanitarian and human challenges. But, as always, any risk can be recognized as a new opportunity. Thus, people around the world have redefined their understanding of health and well-being. However, it is important to recognize that people across the world and in different industries will continue to take advantage of this large-scale experiment caused by the pandemic and may choose to rethink established concepts, habits, and policies. This paper aims to explore students’ Covid-19 digital health literacy (HL) at the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski". A standardized questionnaire and scale were used, which aims in providing the ability to compare the results with other students from other countries, and specialties. The results so far show students reported high levels of digital HL, and an ability to use various sources of information. Our students have strong skills in searching for information; use reasonable criteria to perceive the information, but face some issues when sharing information on social media. The collected results can be used as an instrument to evaluate the current state and propose steps for the future improvement of lifelong learning priorities, both for students and the general public.

Designing a problem analysis toolkit in the context of humanitarian engineering

Humanitarian Engineering and intercultural sustainability projects involve parties who are situated in very different ethnic contexts. Because the stakeholders have varying knowledge bases and access to resources and values, it is important to approach and start projects without assuming the problem. Broadly speaking, the aim is to tackle humanitarian challenges, but the underlying factors influencing the issues are not always clear. The paper aims to offer an effective tool for engineers to be aware of intercultural differences and accommodate this in the problem definition phase. Firstly, the necessary social, cultural and technological dimensions for developing a problem exploration and definition toolkit in the context of humanitarian engineering will be described. Secondly, the potential relationships that affect the outcomes of a problem analysis toolkit are uncovered. These influencing factors address themes such as intercultural context, sustainability and knowledge sharing, each with positive and negative impacts on the toolkit. Finally, a first layout of the problem analysis toolkit that includes, higher community engagement, better-tailored educational opportunities and relevant socio-technical solutions is presented and discussed.

Blockchain innovations and the contribution of the intergovernmental organizations

Purpose The United Nations (UN) is globally acknowledged for its unique role as a convening platform to address humanitarian, peace, security and sustainable development challenges. However, it is not often associated with technological innovation. Blockchain technology, an innovation that emerged in the late 2000s, has generated animated discussions that are led, in the most part, by private sector institutions. A dearth of literature highlights the innovative blockchain projects supported by UN entities. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of blockchain innovations supported by UN entities and explore opportunities for future studies. Design/methodology/approach This paper used an exploratory case study approach with the purpose of providing a broad perspective of blockchain innovations undertaken by UN entities in the quest to meet sustainable and equitable development across the world. Findings This study found 25 blockchain projects by 13 UN entities in 19 countries. The geographical spread of the case studies revealed that two studies have global jurisdiction, five studies in Africa, three in Europe, four in Latin America and the Caribbean and 11 in Asia, Oceania and the Middle East. Of the 19 countries, three had two projects each. Two countries had three projects and the rest had one project each. Of the 13 UN entities, three dominated with UNICEF (part of six projects), UNDP (part of 10 projects) and WFP (part of four projects). Finally, the 25 projects were divided among three categories of blockchain use cases, as defined by UN guidance documents. Five case studies focused on immutable record keeping, five on transfer of value and 15 on smart contracts. Originality/value This study offers a unique overview of blockchain efforts within UN entities. It provides a platform for future studies to reveal implicit assumptions, contrasting explanations and casual connections.

BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY AND FORCED DISPLACEMENT IN NORTH-EAST NIGERIA: AN ASSESSMENT OF STATE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Nigeria has contended with violent expressions of conflicts since the return to civil rule in 1999. The Boko Haram uprising is the most devastating of these crises and it has given rise to serious humanitarian challenges. The manifestation of the emergency is revealed in the extent of internal displacement it has generated. Thus, this study assessed the depth of the humanitarian needs of those internally displaced by the insurgency and the nature of state management of the displacement crisis. Data for the study was sourced from national policy documents, media documents, reports and other publications on the displacement crisis. Relying on these sources, the study highlighted the nature of state management of the displacement crisis, assessed recorded successes and noted challenges.

The Rif War: A forgotten war?

AbstractApproximately 100 years ago, a colonial conflict of great breadth began on the south side of the Mediterranean. Initially seen as an “indigenous” rebellion, the conflict evolved into an intense war, the final phase of which involved the intervention of two great colonial powers (France and Spain). Looking at the Rif War (1920–1926) in a region of what is now Morocco, then claimed by Spain, as an example, this article presents a critical analysis of a conflict rich in lessons for current humanitarian challenges and the sometimes-difficult relationship between humanitarian actors and the parties to a conflict. Assessed in the light of its human cost, which is largely forgotten today, the Rif War can feed debates through necessary historical reflection surrounding humanitarian action and the role of the International Committee of the Red Cross. It will also examine the complicated connections between historical truth, collective memory and the political difficulties inherent to reconciliation.

Sustainable humanitarian operations: An integrated perspective

The immediate response to disasters, while well intended, sometimes causes avoidable humanitarian challenges later on. Drinking water may be essential, but it is not necessary to provide it in small plastic bottles. Injections may save lives, but inappropriately discarded syringes are hazardous. Can humanitarian relief be made more sustainable? This paper summarizes a 1‐day workshop on this topic, held at INSEAD in 2019 in connection with Luk Van Wassenhove's transition to emeritus professor. This workshop involved over 100 academics and practitioners. Five areas were discussed in detail: material convergence, coordination between humanitarian organizations (HOs), logistics, partnerships with industry, and health. The discussions demonstrate the possibility of better integrating sustainability with humanitarian operations despite the inherent tension between the immediate need to save lives and the longer term perspective associated with sustainability. This requires that various stakeholders, including HOs, donors, and watchdog organizations, think differently about the balance between short‐term and long‐term interventions, the metrics and incentives they apply, and the role of local versus global organizations. Leading practitioners and scholars in humanitarian operations are well aware of these challenges and opportunities in each domain separately; this paper aims to introduce these issues to a broader audience in a single more integrated overview, based on the themes that were discussed at the workshop.

Lingvistiskās attieksmes izpausmes ārkārtējās epidemioloģiskās situācijas apstākļos (2020–2022)

The article deals with Latvian language attitudes and their practical expression in the years 2020–2022, reflecting on the linguistic changes and perception of language use in the context of the COVID-19 crisis and, partially, of the Russian aggression over Ukraine. The unexpected situation has showcased social and deep-rooted humanitarian challenges that can be critical not only in an epidemiological context. It concerns language attitudes, too. The sustainability and competitiveness of the Latvian language depend on its use in all socially important functions, which in turn is determined by linguistic attitude – a complex of subjective factors that characterize language perceptions, attitude towards different languages (language variants), and measures taken by state or public institutions to regulate the language situation. Therefore, in addition to monitoring the Latvian language situation in terms of language skills and language use, special attention should be paid to identifying public opinions and linguistic stereotypes and studying linguistic behaviour. Positive language attitudes are recognised as one of the criteria for the success of language policy. Several important contributions on language innovations during the COVID-19 pandemic have already been published (Dite Liepa, Evija Liparte, et al.). Language is a living organism that responds to all environmental developments, and this so-called covid-lexis is essentially only an external expression for the processes that take place at many levels of language and have always been there. Neologisms and occasional new coinages, stylistic features, wordplay and jokes, and borrowings have been found in media (press, electronic media, social communication platforms), graffiti, and promotional materials based on public discussions about the topics of the pandemic. The meanings of the already known and customary Latvian language words have expanded during the COVID-19 crisis. The existence of creativity in a language is one of the indicators that a language is viable, that its speakers perceive language as their own, as a value. We now see a confirmation that the Latvian language can adapt to any circumstances. The other part of the research deals with language attitudes towards bilingual communication in Latvia, i.e. the use of Russian in public information on the epidemiological situation. The analysis of the most popular narratives reveals controversial views concerning the compatibility and necessity of bilingual information with the language policy guidelines for an inclusive society. The conclusion is that the pandemic has given new concreteness to society’s vulnerabilities, one of which is language attitudes towards the Latvian language among the Latvians.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH OF THE PROBLEMS OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN THE HUMANITARIAN SPHERE OF UKRAINE: PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS AND GENERALIZATION

The article is devoted to clarifying the state of highlighting the problem of public management of thehumanitarian sphere of Ukraine in the scientific works of Ukrainian scientists. With the help of the problem-searchmethod of research in the information scientific space, a large number of works of a humanitarian direction, whichare difficult to analyze, were found, therefore, in order to limit them, the article focused on the conceptual-categoricalconstruction "humanitarian sphere", which is found only in the title of the works. The initial data of the research were identified and analyzed, a preliminary analysis of scientific achievements was carried out, and the main trends inherentin this direction of research were determined.The main conclusions of the study are: only 17 dissertations were found, in which the subject of research is thehumanitarian sphere, including 2 doctoral dissertations; these dissertations were completed in 5 scientific fields(historical, philological, political sciences, national security, public administration) and defended in 7 specialties, mostof which are in the science of public administration and historical science; today, there is no dissertation with theissues defined in the article, completed in the science of public management and administration; the most popular arevarious aspects of state management of the humanitarian sphere, issues of cooperation in this sphere, formation andimplementation of state policy regarding the development of the humanitarian sphere; most often, the works revealthe problems of the development of the humanitarian sphere in the conditions of modern challenges and threats to thenational or state security of Ukraine, which fully corresponds to modern realities. However, the reality of today is notreflected in the works. In particular, the dissertation defended in 2020 is purely historical and is devoted to researchingthe activities of the Ukrainian Central Committee in the humanitarian sphere during the Nazi occupation.The article outlines prospective directions of research into the problem of public management of the humanitariansphere of Ukraine. Since today the national security of the Ukrainian state is the ability to protect its independence,the system of state administration, and public institutions from external negative influence and external aggression,we believe that the following are the promising and most relevant areas of modern research: the formation andimplementation of national security policy in humanitarian areas, threats and challenges; public administration in thehumanitarian sphere of Ukraine; the state policy of Ukraine regarding the provision of humanitarian security; thehumanitarian sphere as a component of Ukraine's national security.

IDENTIFICATION OF THE DEAD UNDER ISLAMIC LAW AND INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW: AN ANALYSIS

The Islamic world has been confronted with many challenges in recent history such as situations of violence, armed conflict, global pandemic and natural disasters. One of the many catastrophic consequences of such events are the findings of numerous unidentified bodies. Is the identification of dead bodies a legal obligation under both Islamic law and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) or is it merely a moral duty to help grieving family members? The purpose of this research is first, to give an overview of the Islamic law principles governing the identification of the dead. Second, to illustrate those principles with current examples of humanitarian challenges in the Islamic world. Third, to compare those Islamic law principles to IHL rules applicable in armed conflicts and demonstrate that both IHL and Islamic Law aim to end the suffering of families of missing persons. This research demonstrates that both Islamic law and IHL have rules which aim to protect the dignity and respect of dead bodies and they complement each other in contexts of armed conflicts or other situations of violence. By identifying the similarities and complementarities of both bodies of law this research paper contributes to expanding the legal framework which can be promoted and used by humanitarians to protect families of the dead and end their suffering by obtaining information on the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones. In cases of mismanagement of the dead, in Muslim contexts, resulting in the burial of unidentified bodies, humanitarians should discuss with religious authorities and raise the various principles of Islamic law described in this paper such as the prohibition of collective graves and cremation and the exceptions made in practice for the exhumation of dead bodies. International scholars should also underscore the importance of storing information on the deceased before burying them and of participating in the development of forensic science in Islamic countries.

Anti-crisis strategy of state governance in the wartime: an example of Ukraine

Russian military invasion of Ukraine became yet another reminder to humanity about how fragile our world is and how it requires unity and partnership to confront global humanitarian challenges and to ensure goals of sustainable development.The article analyzes the historical context of the establishment of Ukrainian statehood, provides situational assessment of the current state of economy and environmental hazards in Ukraine and investigates successful anti-crisis «success stories» of other countries. It is namely on this basis that a strategy of changing an existing system of state governance in Ukraine has been elaborated, taking into account the consequences of the war-induced socio-economic crisis. As conceptual framework for this strategy, provisions of the sustainable development theory were utilized, regarded by the authors as the most implementable «survival guide» for contemporary world.

АКТИВІЗАЦІЯ ГРОМАДСЬКОЇ УЧАСТІ В УПРАВЛІННІ РОЗВИТКОМ ОБ’ЄДНАНИХ ТЕРИТОРІАЛЬНИХ ГРОМАД

Proposals for the organization of effective communicative activities of local governments in the implementation of the united territorial communities (UTC) development process, where the leading role is played by civic education, civil society institutions and the media, providing dialogue between government and public on the basis of contractual partnership. The need for social democratization is based on reasonable initiative of citizens in decision-making by the authorities and leads to the delegation of powers to the public, thus not creating a conflict between UTC residents and local authorities. There is no universal or normative model of the relationship between local public authorities and the public that would be acceptable to UTC. To build a viable UTC requires the participation of all institutions of civil society in solving humanitarian, socio-economic, political and legal challenges in the rational use of community resources to provide cost-effective and high-quality social services through citizen participation in government decisions while ensuring the interests of different social population groups and non-political representation of the promotion of these interests. The stages of the public participation analysis in the association and development of the territorial community, which ensure effective cooperation between local authorities and the public, are based on community initiative in decision-making and provide for delegation of power to UTC residents.

The Recovery of Ukraine

Abstract Ukraine is currently facing enormous humanitarian challenges as a result of the ongoing aggression of the Russian government and its military and financial establishment. This article discusses essential aspects of the societal impacts of this aggression. Our attention is focused on the recovery of the socioeconomic and financial sphere and of human potential. Emphasis is placed on the expediency of Ukraine's implementation of a social quality-based management approach after the end of the war. This may help politicians and citizens to rethink and reconstruct Ukrainian society on the basis of socioeconomic security, social cohesion, social inclusion, and guaranteed societal opportunities, rooted in the societal values of equality and solidarity, social justice, human dignity, and eco-equilibrium. We argue that introducing the concept of social quality, adapted to domestic conditions, into the public administration system of postwar Ukraine would contribute to rethinking the “social contract” so as to gradually find a reasonable balance between two priorities: the simultaneous increase of efforts to systematically eliminate the threats of external aggression and the accelerated restoration of the national socioeconomic space on principles of sustainable, inclusive development.