Humanitarian Intervention Research Articles

The coloniality of humanitarian intervention

The coloniality of humanitarian intervention

“Humanitarian Intervention” Concept in Crises Conditions Facing the International Community: Principles, Objective, Achievements

The humanitarian intervention concept has undergone great changes last decades, especially with disappearance of the “classical” East-West confrontation which prevents this concept implementation in practice in the pressing need context to ensure minimum functioning of the rule of law main institutions. This tendency is dictated by several factors, not only the legal nature but largely psychological, sociological and ultimately humanistic. Experts in international human rights law have noted and continue to emphasize that international law is reoriented to the natural person interest, often to the detriment of the states interests thereby influencing the very institution of international law subjects. However, the legal argumentation of the humanitarian intervention is closely related to the system functionality interpretation of international law principles, the topic that is traditionally debated between the adherents of classical “state sovereignty” and human rights concept in one form or another supranational.

HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTIONS AND REFUGEES' WELFARE

The extraordinary magnitude of population displacement, stemming from conflict, persecution, and natural disasters, has exerted significant strain on international organizations, governments, and civil society. Humanitarian interventions, involving various actions undertaken by these entities, are essential in supplying refugees with vital resources, protective measures, and possibilities to endure and reconstruct their lives. This study thoroughly evaluates the influence of humanitarian interventions on refugee welfare, investigating their roles and impacts, addressing their challenges and triumphs, and offering policy recommendations to enhance refugee welfare through more effective humanitarian initiatives. The research design is qualitative, employing secondary data sources including scholarly publications, policy documents, and reports from international organizations and NGOs. Data and visualizations from Our World in Data were utilized to examine trends and patterns in refugee welfare, encompassing access to fundamental requirements, protection, healthcare, education, livelihoods, and psychosocial assistance. The results underscore the substantial influence of humanitarian efforts on refugee well-being, as demonstrated by the examination of the Syrian and Rohingya refugee crises. The graphical representation depicts the significant spike in asylum applicants resulting from these crises and the extent of dislocation experienced by impacted populations. The study highlights the necessity of ongoing and extensive humanitarian aid to meet the varied requirements of refugees, encompassing shelter, nutrition, healthcare, psychosocial support, and protection. The study indicates that humanitarian interventions are essential for improving refugee welfare; nonetheless, hurdles remain, including resource limitations, coordination difficulties, and the necessity to transition from short-term relief to long-term development. Recommendations encompass enhancing global alliances, ensuring equitable burden-sharing, integrating long-term development goals, refining legislative frameworks, prioritizing vulnerable populations, and investigating novel finance options.

The power of old ideas newly expressed

Abstract This article tracks the legitimization practices deployed to change the discourse regarding coercive interventions to protect human lives which, at the end of the 1990s, became both acceptable practices discussed in multilateral settings and deeply controversial issues. It focuses on the “Responsibility to Protect” (R2P) and two important strategies. The first is the proposition to change the ways in which we talk about (military) intervention for human protection purposes, i.e. a passage from “humanitarian intervention” and the “right to intervene” towards R2P. The second is the practices that agents hoped would give legitimacy to their ideas, especially regarding postcolonial states, historically skeptical and critical of humanitarian intervention. I argue that the agents were able to reframe the debate using more legitimate discourse while adopting legitimization practices to raise the acceptability of R2P.

Obliged tolerance: Power at the intersection of everyday peace and the intervention economy

This article explores the economic relationships of host and refugee communities in the context of international humanitarian interventions and their implications for everyday peace. It argues for an expanded understanding of power in everyday peace, incorporating an analysis of the interplay between international interventions, local power dynamics and everyday peace. It responds to the call for increased attention to the economic dimensions of peacebuilding, particularly at the local level. The article introduces the concept of obliged tolerance to explain some of the socioeconomic motivations for different actors in the intervention economy to engage in everyday peace processes. Those benefitting from the international intervention actuate less empowered community members to practice tolerance for peaceful coexistence which sustains the economic benefits derived from the intervention economy. The findings from research conducted in Lebanon indicate that humanitarian interventions shape a peace that primarily benefits affluent and influential actors, while marginalised individuals engage in everyday peace for survival and to pursue socioeconomic opportunities. By integrating an analysis of everyday economic interactions, this article highlights the role of power dynamics and economic motivations based on obliged tolerance in shaping everyday peace, challenging conventional notions of everyday peace as a social coping mechanism that people practice entirely voluntarily.

Radical care in displacement: Rohingya women’s activism amidst neoliberal humanitarianism and repression

ABSTRACT This paper examines the activism and care work of Rohingya women in displacement settings, focusing on grassroots efforts in Cox’s Bazar refugee camps and transnational advocacy by diaspora activists. Drawing on 43 in-depth interviews and applying a feminist ethics of care framework, we argue that these women's activism constitutes a form of radical care that challenges both neoliberal humanitarian practices and repressive state policies. Rohingya women activists forge networks of solidarity and empowerment that extend beyond conventional humanitarian interventions, providing emotional support and shared experiences that contribute to the social ecology of care for refugee women. Their grassroots work contests the neoliberal emphasis on individual self-reliance, instead highlighting the vital role of relational care in fostering collective resilience. However, these activists face significant risks from multiple sources, including state repression, community backlash, and online harassment. They employ strategies such as ‘strategic invisibility’ and digital activism to navigate these dangers. Despite the transformative potential of their work, it remains systematically undervalued, leaving activists vulnerable to burnout and depletion. By centering the experiences and agency of Rohingya women, this study reveals a complex landscape of resistance, care, and empowerment, offering insights into how refugee women create change amidst intersecting forms of oppression.

Conceptualising Responsibility Comprehensively to Facilitate Internal Resolution – twail Perspectives to an icj-Routed r2p

Abstract twail scholarship has been highly critical of the Responsibility to Protect (r2p) norm, citing the unfairness in its ahistorical and decontextualised allocation of responsibility for contemporary ethnic strife. Alongside the norm’s inability to capture the complex, historical creation of contemporary ethnic violence – much of which involved the Western world – state interventions in r2p’s pursuance have been unsuccessful in protecting populations. This has prompted the exploration of alternatives to humanitarian interventions, with one such alternative being an ‘icj-routed r2p’: a mode of moving the Court to obtain its findings pointing to a state’s commission of genocidal and other prohibited acts. This mode of obtaining judicial findings of r2p-prohibited acts is, I propose, compatible with the principles and ideas endorsed in twail thinking, for it is capable of (a) undertaking a genuine, historicised assessment of responsibility in the emergence of ethnic strife; (b) avoiding r2p’s colonial connotations by accepting an intervention’s normative impermissibility, instead entrenching the international community’s role as solely facilitating a state’s internal resolution of violence; and (c) pursuing a sustainable cessation of violence alongside other Pillar Two strategies.

Critical analysis of international law failures in the Russian invasion of Ukraine: implications for global security

This paper offers a critical analysis of the structural deficiencies in international law that Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine revealed in 2022. The study reveals a significant failure of international legal mechanisms, in particular the United Nations, to effectively deter Russian aggression and prevent the escalation of violence. Despite numerous legal actions and international responses – including resolutions by the United Nations General Assembly, proceedings at the International Court of Justice and investigations by the International Criminal Court – these measures have failed to alter Russia’s conduct or prevent further deterioration of the situation in Ukraine. The study employs a normative juridical approach, analyzing the legality of Russia’s actions considering established international norms and principles. Through this methodology, the research uncovers how Russia’s justifications for its military intervention – based on self-defense, collective self-defense, and allegations of genocide – are legally flawed and inconsistent with international law. Moreover, the research reveals the broader implications of these violations, including the potential erosion of global legal norms and the setting of dangerous precedents that could undermine international peace and security. The findings of this research highlight the urgent need for reform within the international legal framework to address these deficiencies. The paper concludes by proposing specific reforms, such as expanding the abstention obligation in the United Nations Security Council and clarifying the legal basis for humanitarian intervention, to strengthen the enforcement of international law and better protect state sovereignty. These insights contribute to the ongoing discourse on the role of international law in conflict resolution and the maintenance of global security.

Supply chain agility in humanitarian organisations: examining the role of self-organisation, information integration and adaptability in South Sudan

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose and validate a theoretical model to investigate the relationship between self-organisation, information integration, adaptability and supply chain agility in humanitarian organisations.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical model was developed from extant studies and assessed through a structured questionnaire survey of 86 humanitarian organisations operating in South Sudan. The data were analysed using partial least square structural equation modelling.FindingsThe study found that self-organisation has a discernible positive influence on supply chain agility not only directly but also indirectly through adaptability. Further, information integration does not significantly influence supply chain agility directly but is fully mediated by adaptability. Together, the antecedent variables account for 53.9% variance in supply chain agility.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to providing an empirical understanding of a humanitarian supply chain as a complex adaptive system and hence the need to incorporate self-organising and adaptive dimensions in supply chain management practice. Furthermore, it confirms the centrality of the complex adaptive system feature of adaptability when building supply chain agility through self-organisation and information integration.Practical implicationsThe findings provide a firm ground for managerial decisions on investment in self-organisation and information integration dimensions so as to enhance adaptability and improve supply chain agility in humanitarian organisations.Originality/valueThis study is distinctive in the sense that it uses the complex adaptive system variables to empirically validate the relationships between self-organisation, information integration, adaptability and supply chain agility in humanitarian organisations in the world’s youngest developing economy with a long history of conflict and humanitarian intervention. The mediating influence of adaptability examined in this study is also novel.

Examining the Legality of the Use of Force in International Law

This article examines the legality of the use of force in international law. The article revealed that faith in the UN may weaken when it fails to act in contexts where its Charter requires or implies it should, or when its actions fail to achieve the intended results. As a result, it is critical for the UN’s integrity and vitality that it is willing and able to act in circumstances that warrant its intervention. If there was a successful alternative to meeting global aims, it would deter states from taking matters into their own hands. This leads to the conclusion that we can welcome illegal but clearly justified action, or what we might call ‘legitimate’ action, under certain specified circumstances. The article proposes several broad areas where the UN could rationally undergo reform. As the maintainer of peace and security, it would be unwise for the UN to engage ‘with incomplete and incremental change.’ The UNSC needs ‘greater credibility, legitimacy, representation, effectiveness, and enhanced capacity and willingness to act in defense of the common peace.’ Therefore, the article advocates for the development of a legal doctrine of humanitarian intervention. A suggested criterion is the existence of a supreme humanitarian emergency, the use of force as a last resort, and the achievement of a positive humanitarian outcome. If the UNSC can identify these criteria for lawful humanitarian intervention, it would be wiser to authorize force. The use of force would then be under central control, as opposed to unilateral state action with a potentially undefined mandate. Keywords: International law, Justification, Legitimacy, UN Charters, Use of force.

Investigating the Consequence s of Energy Transitions in Protracted Displacement Settings: Solid Fuel Dependency and IDPs’ Readiness

Abstract Looking beyond cooking energy provision in humanitarian response, interventions define the course of the internally displaced people’s (IDPs) livelihood. Energy transition in displacement settings often puts the bar high as the outputs are aimed to provide full use of low emission, healthy, clean cooking energy sources. By gathering data from protracted temporary settlements inhabited since 2012 by those affected by the Mount Sinabung eruption in Karo Regency, Indonesia, the purpose of this study is to look into how Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are switching to greener energy sources for cooking. A framework for determining energy choice at the household size was employed to depict the overview of energy use in cooking, taking into account the effects of the transition. The case of Sinabung displacement offered a perspective of the prolonged IDPs on humanitarian energy interventions and the national ecosystem toward clean energy behaviour. Even though Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) penetration is subsidized, a protracted displacement situation in Sinabung still reveals solid fuel dependencies. The LPG subsidy program, which was poorly planned, and the lack of readiness of IDPs to purchase and use new alternative cooking energy were the biggest obstacles to the overall transition process and caused the fuel stacking phenomenon to persist.

The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI): Did It Help or Harm a Friend?

Helpem Fren, Michael Wesley's diplomatic history of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), the Australian-led multilateral intervention in Solomon Islands from 2003–2017, is a near definitive study of the intervention from an Australian perspective. As such, it shares some of the failures of RAMSI itself, such as overconfidence in its success. The reviewer, based on his experience of living in the Solomons during many years of the RAMSI intervention, examines both the strengths and weaknesses of RAMSI and this volume, its semi-official history. These include RAMSI's early success in peacemaking and its more problematic long-term exercise in state building, including its inflexible entrenchment in law and justice, finance, and governance sectors to the exclusion of support for sustainable human development. The reviewer notes areas not dealt with in the book, including RAMSI's cost and its relations with the Solomon Islands Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the churches. While Helpem Fren is an essential study for understanding the Australian role in RAMSI, its strictly Australian perspective calls for further critical study of RAMSI.

The Use of ToC & LFA vs Considerations for a Unified Logic Model Approach (ULMA) in Humanitarian and Development Interventions

Humanitarian and development workers often various challenges in developing and applying logic models in their interventions. Faced with a wide array of logic models that are often confusing, time and resource constraints further compound the decision to use a particular logic model or models, especially in emergencies. The decision of whether or not to use a single logic model such as the LFA or the ToC is not an easy one. Factors prevalent in the sector do not make this task an easy one. The question of whether the use of a single logic model independently should suffice to deliver the desired outcomes of the intervention remains paramount. Some humanitarian professionals and scholars argue that the use of a single logic model cannot sufficiently deliver the results of the intervention while others hold an opposing view. We sought to understand how time and resource constraints affect the choice of logic modes, the possibilities of using each logic model (ToC or LFA) independently to achieve projects/programme objectives as well as to make recommendations on the possibilities of uniting the key features of the ToC and the LFA into the Unified Logic Model Approach (ULMA) for better planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian and development interventions. Primary data was collected as the main method of study between June and July 2024 with humanitarian and development professionals focused on the development of these tools and their use. Some of the categories of professionals interviewed included humanitarian and organisational CEOs, directors, coordinators, business development professionals, grant management professionals, programme and project managers, project officers, monitoring and evaluation specialists and assistants, sector leads and officers. These professionals from around the world were reached both online in their professional WhatsApp Groups and offline in their respective organisations (both local and international organisations). The survey questionnaire was structured to contain closed and open-ended questions and was informed by the core problems and the research hypothesis. The sample size included 284 participants and the data was analysed using the Chi-square (X 2 ) test of independence and descriptive statistics to determine the level of association and significance of the findings. The open-ended questions were analysed thematically to find relevant themes to further support the statistical analysis.

The Twilight of Humanitarian Intervention? International Legal Conditions for the Possibility of Undertaking a Humanitarian Intervention in Ukraine in the Context of the Concept of Responsibility to Protect

The Twilight of Humanitarian Intervention? International Legal Conditions for the Possibility of Undertaking a Humanitarian Intervention in Ukraine in the Context of the Concept of Responsibility to Protect

Reshaping gender norms: Exploring the ripple effect of refugeeism on women's empowerment

AbstractMotivationDisplacement significantly disrupts physical environments, social structures, and personal identities, profoundly impacting people's well‐being. Recent studies indicate that displacement can also reshape gender dynamics, highlighting the potential of displacement to transform traditional roles and relationships.PurposeThis study investigates the transformative impact of displacement on gender roles in the context of the Za'atari camp in Jordan. Specifically, it examines how humanitarian aid and forced displacement converge to alter gender relations and enhance women's autonomy.Approach and MethodsThe research draws on qualitative interviews with 15 women residing in the Za'atari camp. By exploring their experiences, the study aims to understand how displacement can act as a catalyst for empowerment and self‐sufficiency, despite the inherent challenges faced by these women.FindingsThe study reveals that displacement increases independence and self‐awareness, and improves decision‐making among women, facilitating their active participation in society. Humanitarian interventions, particularly educational and vocational programmes, play a crucial role in empowering women by improving self‐confidence, communication skills, and legal awareness. These initiatives also provide access to the labour market, challenging traditional gender norms.Policy ImplicationsDespite the positive impacts, significant obstacles persist. Women often assume greater responsibilities as primary breadwinners, which can erode their control within personal spheres and increase vulnerabilities. Traditional norms continue to hinder complete gender parity. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive and sustainable humanitarian interventions to support and sustain positive changes in gender dynamics in displacement settings.

Public Discourse on the Israel‐Hamas War 2023: A Comparative Analysis of Lithuania and the United Kingdom

AbstractThe conflict between the Israeli government and Hamas escalated on 7th October 2023, with the media playing an unprecedented role in shaping the perceptions and narratives surrounding the ongoing tensions. The portrayal by the media, often mirroring global viewpoints and biases, has significantly influenced public opinion and international stances, serving as a catalyst for political, diplomatic, and humanitarian interventions. The aim of the study is to analyze the formation of discourse on the Israel‐Hamas war (2023) within the media landscapes of Lithuania and the United Kingdom, emphasizing the role of national broadcasters and uncovering the primary disparities in the information provided by online news portals lrt.lt and bbc.com. Employing the qualitative content analysis method, the study provides comprehensive insights into the subject matter. Moreover, it highlights the approaches of the Lithuanian and UK governments towards security discourse in Europe and their concerns regarding humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip. The study is relevant to shed light on how political decisions and public opinion influence the international community's support for various actors in the conflict, including the manifestation of Islamophobic and antisemitic sentiments.

Legality and Legitimacy of Humanitarian Intervention

"Humanitarian intervention" has been a controversial topic in the international community. Some scholars believe that humanitarian intervention has legitimacy, as it can avoid extreme situations such as large-scale genocide, and can protect human rights and save lives. However, there are other scholars who have expressed some disagreement with them and question humanitarian intervention. They believe that the essence of humanitarian intervention is hegemonism, especially in the Kosovo and Iraq incidents, which use humanitarian intervention as an excuse for war. Although the United Nations has relevant regulations on humanitarian intervention, the binding force for superpowers is relatively lacking. In this condition, this article explores humanitarian intervention by consulting relevant literature and combining humanitarian intervention events, and analyzes the complexity of humanitarian intervention in the international community.

The Use of Force by the Russian Federation in Ukraine

The Russian-Ukrainian War has significantly impacted the international community, making it crucial to examine the war responsibility of all parties involved under international law. Through this paper, we aim to prove the illegality of Russia's argument and exercise the right of pre-emptive self-defense. To achieve this, we propose a new set of elements that can be used to judge pre-emptive self-defense more clearly. In light of the illegality of Russia's actions and the ICC's background, we further seek to determine both Russia's national responsibility and the individual responsibility of the war initiators. Our paper also offers a potentially effective arrest plan that involves coordination with specific international organizations and subjects. However, given the ongoing dispute around humanitarian intervention by the United States, humanitarian intervention must play a crucial role in the Russo-Ukraine war. The paper demonstrates the legal basis and necessity of humanitarian intervention in the current situation.

Social media and inclusive humanitarian intervention: the case of Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani district, Zimbabwe

Purpose The world-over, it is evident that, numbers and frequency of natural disasters have increased tremendously. The effects have given birth to a worldwide, all-inclusive humanitarian response and preparedness. In Zimbabwe, Cyclone Idai has ushered in the exploitation of various social media platforms by humanitarian organisations as a way of reaching out to the wider population on critical issues pertaining to the devastating effects of the cyclone. This study herein, aims to interrogate the efficacy of various social media platforms that were exploited by various humanitarian organisation involved in the Cyclone Idai humanitarian response. The various social media platforms are interrogated to establish their contribution to inclusivity or lack of it in relaying humanitarian interventions. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-method approach was used to conduct the research. Quantitative and qualitative methods were applied to gather the data. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires with Likert scales and other closed questions provided. These were administered to representatives from the government, United Nations, donors, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and members of the community. On the contrary, qualitative data was gathered from members of the community and humanitarian organisations through open-ended responses provided from interviews. Quantitative data was collected from a total of 384 stakeholder representatives who were randomly selected from Chimanimani district of Manicaland province. In addition, 12 interview participants were purposively selected to complement the research tools listed above. Findings The study findings show that social media platforms to a greater extent are effective tools for creating inclusive humanitarian response. The study findings reveal that social media has a significant positive influence on inclusive humanitarian response, with a 5% level of significance. These quantitative results agree with results obtained from interviewed participants. Managers of NGOs, community-based groups, government agencies and churches engaged in managing rescue, relief and humanitarian aid are supposed to access the study's findings in the future, and may find the results resourceful. Research limitations/implications This study's generalisability to other districts and countries is constrained because it was conducted in the setting of the Chimanimani district. Future research can therefore be expanded to other Zimbabwean areas as well as to other countries in the Southern African region and beyond. Practical implications Humanitarian supply chain managers engaged in managing rescue, relief and humanitarian aid are proposed as having access to the study's findings in the future as they may find them useful. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by providing insights that can improve information flow. This can be achieved by including different stakeholders in decision-making through the use of social media during disaster preparedness and response processes and helping them to better prepare for and respond to future disasters.

Imperial Powers and Humanitarian Interventions: The Zanzibar Sultanate, Britain, and France in the Indian Ocean, 1862–1905, by Raphaël Cheriau

<i>Imperial Powers and Humanitarian Interventions: The Zanzibar Sultanate, Britain, and France in the Indian Ocean, 1862–1905</i>, by Raphaël Cheriau