Editorial: social dynamics of humanitarian action

Hilhorst, Dorothea; Dijkzeul, Dennis; Herman, Joost

doi:10.1111/j.1467-7717.2010.01148.x

Cited by 8 publications

(11 citation statements)

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“…Humanitarian crises caused by conflict, natural disaster and political failure have increasingly become the subject of study of a range of disciplines, including anthropology, conflict studies, development studies, international law, international relations, migration studies and public health' (Hilhorst, Dijkzeul, and Herman, 2010, p. S127). Humanitarian crises caused by conflict, natural disaster and political failure have increasingly become the subject of study of a range of disciplines, including anthropology, conflict studies, development studies, international law, international relations, migration studies and public health' (Hilhorst, Dijkzeul, and Herman, 2010, p. S127).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Introduction: evidence‐based action in humanitarian crises

Dijkzeul

Hilhorst²,

Walker

2013

Disasters

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This introductory paper sets the stage for this special issue of Disasters on evidence-based action in humanitarian crises. It reviews definition(s) of evidence and it examines the different disciplinary and methodological approaches to collecting and analysing evidence. In humanitarian action, the need for evidence-based approaches sometimes is viewed in tension with a principled approach, often unnecessarily. Choosing appropriate research methods depends on the objectives of the researcher, in particular whether the research focuses on the intervention and/or the context and the length and complexity of the causal chains involved. The paper concludes by defining some trends in evidence-based approaches in crises: the move away from inputs and outputs of humanitarian action towards outcomes and impacts; the shift towards a higher degree of partnerships in research, and the participation of users and target groups; and the acceptance of a broad array of approaches to establish evidence.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Introduction: evidence‐based action in humanitarian crises

Dijkzeul

Hilhorst²,

Walker

2013

Disasters

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“…Does it in fact empower crisis‐affected populations and the humanitarians who seek to help them? There is a dearth of analysis of this aspect of RBA—what might be called its ‘social life’ (Hilhorst, Dijkzeul, and Herman, , p. 127). We know little about how the concept fares when it is put into practice in the dynamics between donor states, humanitarian NGOs, and weak or unwilling duty‐bearing states.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The futility of rights‐based humanitarian aid to the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Høigilt

2019

Disasters

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A rights‐based approach (RBA) to humanitarian aid is intrinsic to Norwegian policy and should inform Norwegian aid to the Occupied Palestinian Territories, one of the main receivers of Norwegian aid. However, this is the case only to a limited extent. While Norwegian humanitarian non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) take RBA seriously, and design their projects in accordance with its principles, they are unable to pursue a programme of long‐term structural change. This is because the main duty‐bearer, Israel, is indifferent or hostile to their work, while Norway's foreign policy is given higher priority than following through a rights‐based agenda. The result of this situation is a large, long‐standing aid effort that is unable to provide more than temporary relief in a steadily deteriorating situation. The Palestinian case suggests that RBA in humanitarianism may lead to frustration rather than human liberation when not backed up by political power.

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“…The third and last of the social dimensions of humanitarian practice identified by Hilhorst, Dijkzeul, and Herman (2010) is the effect of long-term humanitarian presence on the wider structure of society; similar arguments are made with regard to science. The scientific method stresses systematic observation and measurement and a commitment to ensuring theories and hypotheses are open to testing and falsification (Yearley, 2005).…”

Section: Social Dimensions Of Scientific Practicementioning

confidence: 89%

“…Anderson (1999) draws attention to the implicit ethical messages of humanitarian activities and how disrespect and competition between aid agencies and a preoccupation with the personal safety of aid workers can undermine local trust in the legitimacy and the authority of aid organisations. Hilhorst, Dijkzeul, and Herman (2010) have looked in detail at three social dimensions of humanitarian practice. The first is 'the normative dimensions of humanitarian action'.…”

Section: Social Dimensions Of Humanitarian Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Barriers of this sort are examples of the social dimensions that underpin both scientific and humanitarian practice, and more effective science-humanitarian partnering will be enabled if they are comprehended better (Anderson, 1999;Forsyth, 2003). A recent special edition of Disasters examined how these issues pertain to humanitarian activities (Hilhorst, Dijkzeul, and Herman, 2010) and there is a large social study of science literature that considers similar themes with respect to the social role of science (Gergen, 1985;Yearley, 2005;Wynne, 2006). To date, though, few studies have examined specifically the social dynamics of the science-humanitarian relationship.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Social dimensions of science–humanitarian collaboration: lessons from Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia

et al. 2014

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This paper contains a critical exploration of the social dimensions of the science-humanitarian relationship. Drawing on literature on the social role of science and on the social dimensions of humanitarian practice, it analyses a science-humanitarian partnership for disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia, an area threatened by tsunamigenic earthquakes. The paper draws on findings from case study research that was conducted between 2010 and 2011. The case study illustrates the social processes that enabled and hindered collaboration between the two spheres, including the informal partnership of local people and scientists that led to the co-production of earthquake and tsunami DRR and limited organisational capacity and support in relation to knowledge exchange. The paper reflects on the implications of these findings for science-humanitarian partnering in general, and it assesses the value of using a social dimensions approach to understand scientific and humanitarian dialogue.

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Editorial: social dynamics of humanitarian action

Cited by 8 publications

References 0 publications

Introduction: evidence‐based action in humanitarian crises

Introduction: evidence‐based action in humanitarian crises

The futility of rights‐based humanitarian aid to the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Social dimensions of science–humanitarian collaboration: lessons from Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia

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