Humanitarian Negotiations Revealed: The MSF Experience

by Claire Magone (Editor), Michael Neuman (Editor), Fabrice Weissman (Editor)

Overview

From international NGOs to UN agencies, from donors to observers of humanitarianism, opinion is unanimous: in a context of the alleged "clash of civilizations", our "humanitarian space" is shrinking. Put another way, the freedom of action and of speech of humanitarians is being eroded due to the radicalisation of conflicts and the reaffirmation of state sovereignty over aid actors and policies. The purpose of this book is to challenge this assumption through an analysis of the events that have marked MSF's history since 2003 (when MSF published its first general work on humanitarian action and its relationships with governments). It addresses the evolution of humanitarian goals, the resistance to these goals and the political arrangements that overcame this resistance (or that failed to do so). The contributors seek to analyse the political transactions and balances of power and interests that allow aid activities to move forward, but that are usually masked by the lofty rhetoric of "humanitarian principles". They focus on one key question: what is an acceptable compromise for MSF? This book seeks to puncture a number of the myths that have grown up over the forty years since MSF was founded and describes in detail how the ideals of humanitarian principles and "humanitarian space" operating in conflict zones are in reality illusory. How, in fact, it is the grubby negotiations with varying parties, each of whom have their own vested interests, that may allow organisations such as MSF to operate in a given crisis situation - or not.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781849045261
Publisher:	Hurst
Publication date:	02/28/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Claire Magone spent several years working with Action Contre la Faim (Action Against Hunger) and MSF, and went on to coordinate Sidaction's international programmes. Michael Neuman joined MSF in 1999. His work focuses on political analysis and issues of immigration and geopolitics. Fabrice Weissman, research director of the MSF Foundation, is the author of many works on humanitarian aid and the political economy of conflict.

Table of Contents

Sri Lanka: In All-Out War Fabrice Weissman Ethiopia: A Fool's Game in Ogaden Laurence Binet Yemen: Low Profile Michel-Olivier Lacharité Afghanistan: Regaining Leverage Xavier Crombé&Michiel Hofman Pakistan: The Other Side of the COIN Jonathan Whittall Somalia: Everything is Open to Negotiation Benoît Leduc&Michaël Neuman Gaza Strip: A Perilous Transition Caroline Abu-Sada Myanmar: "Golfing with the Generals" Fiona Terry Nigeria: Public (Health) Relations Claire Magone India: The Expert and the Militant Stéphane Doyon South Africa: MSF, an African NGO? Michaël Neuman France: Managing the "Undesirables" Michaël Neuman PART II: HISTORY Silence Heals...From the Cold War to War on Terror, MSF Speaks out: A Brief History Fabrice Weissman Caring for Health Jean-Hervé Bradol Natural Disasters: "Do Something!" Rony Brauman&Claudine Vidal Epilogue: In the Name of Emergency. How MSF Adapts and Justifies its Choices Marc Le Pape Afterword David Rieff

What People are Saying About This

Hugo Slim

This is a very valuable book. It shows one of the world's great humanitarian organizations thinking aloud about the difficult choices it faces as it struggles to save and protect human life. The tone of Humanitarian Negotiations Revealed is exceptional for its frank and public self-scrutiny. In this respect, it breaks new ground and reveals a truly reflective humanitarian movement that is not afraid to learn in public. Its honesty and the insights into humanitarian history it offers make the book an important reference text in humanitarian studies, international relations, and organizational theory. And of course it will fascinate those who continue to be intrigued by the particular aura and mystique of Médecins Sans Frontières.

— Hugo Slim, University of Oxford, author of Killing Civilians: Method, Madness, and Morality in War

Dr Hugo Slim

A very good and extremely useful book. Humanitarian Negotiations Revealed brings important new historical information and candid discussion of ethical and operational decision-making to important parts of humanitarian studies and international relations. The first part of the book is a series of country case studies of MSF operations and decisions. These can be dipped into as required by readers and will be very good for teaching. The three big themes in the second part will be valuable for the same reason. This will make the book something of a reference book for teachers and policy makers, as well as a source text for NGO scholars. … Clear, practical and easy to read, the tone of the book is exceptional for its frank and public self-scrutiny. In this respect, it breaks new ground and shows a truly reflective NGO that is not afraid to learn public. This makes it a rare text in humanitarian and organizational studies.

— Dr Hugo Slim, author of Killing Civilians: Method, Madness and Morality in War (Hurst/Columbia University Press, 2007)

Editorial Reviews

"These stories and reflections illustrate the tragic humanitarian paradox: to act morally, one can't always be principled. Neutrality and impartiality disappear into the pantheon of defunct ideals, as MSF defends a robust opportunism in the best sense of the word: reality-based situational ethics."—Dirk Salomons, director of the Program for Humanitarian Affairs at the School of International Public Affairs, Columbia University

"Thank goodness for MSF. Where else would we find such candour and self-criticism? Laid out here are unblinking accounts of the dilemmas facing the humanitarian agencies in a chaotic world, and clear-eyed appraisals of how MSF tries, and sometimes fails, to respond with its principles intact. Let's hope the other relief agencies are paying attention."—Peter Gill, Journalist and author of Famine and Foreigners: Ethiopia since Live Aid

From the Publisher

the most detailed and self-critical inside account of the deals aid agencies are forced to negotiate, often with groups and regimes which abuse human rights, to continue their work.

Guardian - Peter Beaumont

The book brings out the perennial dangers of silence and stresses the continuing need to highlight the hidden victims of 'just wars.' It also exemplifies Médecins Sans Frontières's tradition of self-criticism and internal disagreement, traditions now more valuable than ever.

David Keen

A highly readable and challenging appraisal of what it means to be a humanitarian actor in today's rebalancing world. With refreshing hon¬esty, it explores the thin line that humanitarian agencies tread between saving lives and supporting oppressors. This brave and informative book reconfirms Médecins Sans Frontières as an organization that thinks as well as acts.

Mark Duffield

This collection represents a maturing of Médecins Sans Frontières's view of the world. Theirs is now a nuanced pragmatic approach which keeps its eye firmly on the goal of alleviating suffering but understands the need to compromise and invent, choosing the best possible path to reach the goal.

Peter Walker

These stories and reflections illustrate the tragic humanitarian paradox: to act morally, one can't always be principled. Neutrality and impartial¬ity disappear into the pantheon of defunct ideals, as Médecins Sans Frontières defends a ro¬bust opportunism in the best sense of the word: reality-based situation¬al ethics.

Dirk Salomons

the most detailed and self-critical inside account of the deals aid agencies are forced to negotiate, often with groups and regimes which abuse human rights, to continue their work.

— Peter Beaumont

Guardian