Synopses & Reviews
Since the late 1980s the international relief community has seen its resources and personnel stressed beyond capacity by humanitarian crises--large-scale, man-made catastrophes such as the conflicts in Somalia, Bosnia, Rwanda, Chechnya, Zaire, and elsewhere. Waged within collapsing states, political and ethnic strife targets civilians, causes mass population dislocation and widespread human rights abuses, and impedes the efforts of relief organizations to respond effectively. Covering topics ranging from emergency public health measures to the psychological trauma of relief workers, this volume presents both a seasoned assessment of current practice and proposals for improving operational efforts in the future. The discussion also raises important questions relating to the definition and direction of the overall humanitarian mission.
Review
The editors have assembled the thoughts and experiences of many of the leaders in the field of humanitarian relief. [Humanitarian Crises] reflects the collective wisdom garnered from the experiences of nongovernmental organizations and the United Nations in responding to crises in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and the former Yugoslavia. It is rich in thoughtful discussion of the complexity of such crises and the limitations as well as the successes of humanitarian-relief programs. Douglas Lyon
Review
Peace-keeping operations which are not based on the humanitarian dimension are useless and doomed. This book will help us to understand that reality, too often forgotten. New England Journal of Medicine
Review
"Humanitarian crisis" is a term of the nineties that denotes the extreme suffering of tens of millions of people driven from their homes--dependent on humanitarian aid and destitute for lack of shelter, security, food, clean water, and basic care. These emergencies can be sudden-onset events or last for years of civil strife. The health impact is evident, but not well studied or documented. A body of knowledge related to the adverse health effects of humanitarian crises is now accumulating, but it requires careful analysis so we can apply the experience gained during one emergency to the management of the next. Humanitarian Crises provides the results of such analysis as well as practical recommendations about how to apply these painfully learned lessons. Boutros Boutros-Ghali
About the Author
Jennifer Leaningis Professor of International Health at the <>Harvard School of Public Health, where she directs the <>Program on Humanitarian Crises and Human Rights, and Assistant Professor of Medicine at <>Harvard Medical School.Susan M. Briggsis Attending Surgeon in General and Trauma Surgery, <>Massachusetts General Hospital, and Assistant Professor of Surgery, <>Harvard Medical School.Lincoln C. Chenis Director of the Global Equity Initiative at <>The Asia Center, Harvard University.
Table of Contents
List of Contributors
Foreword
Thomas S. Durant
Preface
Lincoln C. Chen
Introduction
Jennifer Leaning
Part I: ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION
1. The Role of Rapid Assessment
Michael J. Toole
2. Public Health Interventions
Eric K. Noji and Brent T. Burkholder
3. Classic Concepts in Disaster Medical Response
Susan M. Briggs and Mark Leong
4. Emergency Care
Jennifer Leaning
Part II: MENTAL HEALTH
5. Disaster Mental Health: The U.S. Experience and Beyond
Brian W. Flynn
6. Mental Health and Psychosocial Effects of Mass Violence
Richard F. Mollica
7 Psychological Trauma and Relief Workers
Ruth A. Barron
Part III: NORMATIVE AND PRACTICAL ISSUES
8. The New Ethical Boundaries
Sissela Bok
9. Human Rights Challenges
Aryeh Neier and Jennifer Leaning
10. Complex Emergencies and NGOs: The Example of CARE
Marc Lindenberg
11. Coordination of Health Relief: The Experience of the American Red Cross
Judith B. Lee
Part IV: THE ROLE OF THE MILITARY
12. Military Support of Relief: A Cautionary Review
Trueman W. Sharp, George A. Luz, and Joel C. Gaydos
13. Military Security: Lessons for Relief
Frederick M. Burkle, Jr.
14. The Risks of Military Participation
Pierre Perrin
Conclusion
Jennifer Leaning
Notes
Acknowledgments
Credits
Index