Special Section: The Humanitarian Identity Crisis

Humanity: Our Priority Now and Always: Response to "Principles, Politics, and Humanitarian Action" [Abstract] | Cornelio Sommaruga | 12/04/1999
Thomas Weiss oversimplifies when he identifies the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) with the classicist position of nonconfrontation.
Moral Imperatives and Political Realities: Response to "Principles, Politics, and Humanitarian Action" [Abstract] | David Rieff | 12/04/1999
Weiss's essay is a fine contribution to the current conversation within the humanitarian international, but Rieff finds worrying the absence of a broader, extra-humanitarian context in the discussion.
Principles, Politics, and Humanitarian Action [Abstract] | Thomas G. Weiss | 12/04/1999
The tragedies of the past decade have led to an identity crisis among humanitarians. Respecting traditional principles of neutrality and impartiality and operating procedures based on consent has created as many problems as it has solved.
Humanitarian Responsibility and Committed Action: Response to "Principles, Politics, and Humanitarian Action" [Abstract] | Joelle Tanguy, Fiona Terry | 12/04/1999
Although providing aid in conflict is implicitly political, involving humanitarian actors and aid in conflict resolution initiatives, as Weiss advocates, risks diluting the primary responsibility of humanitarian aid to alleviate suffering.