Handbook on Humanitarian Crises
Will be published approx. on 20. November 2025
Book
Hardback
456 pages
978-1-0353-2791-1 (ISBN)
Description
This Handbook provides a clear overview of the impacts of and responses to humanitarian crises. It explores their many causes, including political instability, natural disasters, and economic inequality, while highlighting the significant difficulties faced by humanitarian workers.
Expert authors emphasize the evolving nature of global crises and examine the roles of climate change, technology, and shifting geopolitics in shaping catastrophes. They combine practical guidance with theoretical insights, equipping readers to better understand and address the complexities of humanitarian work. Chapters cover contemporary crises and reflect on potential future emergencies, analyzing the conceptual basis for humanitarian action governance. Ultimately, this multi-disciplinary Handbook simplifies complex issues and reveals actionable solutions for tackling today's most pressing global challenges.
Presenting strategies for improving humanitarian responses and preparing for future crises, this Handbook is a vital resource for scholars and students of humanitarian studies, environmental studies, international relations, and development studies. It is also an invaluable read for practitioners and policymakers in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
Expert authors emphasize the evolving nature of global crises and examine the roles of climate change, technology, and shifting geopolitics in shaping catastrophes. They combine practical guidance with theoretical insights, equipping readers to better understand and address the complexities of humanitarian work. Chapters cover contemporary crises and reflect on potential future emergencies, analyzing the conceptual basis for humanitarian action governance. Ultimately, this multi-disciplinary Handbook simplifies complex issues and reveals actionable solutions for tackling today's most pressing global challenges.
Presenting strategies for improving humanitarian responses and preparing for future crises, this Handbook is a vital resource for scholars and students of humanitarian studies, environmental studies, international relations, and development studies. It is also an invaluable read for practitioners and policymakers in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
Reviews / Votes
'The Handbook on Humanitarian Crises edited by Alpaslan OEzerdem is one of those rare compilations possessing the imaginative power and practical insight needed to help recreate an entire field of thought and practice. The essays collected here take a refreshingly critical look at the conceptual foundations, current operations, and future prospects of the field of humanitarian intervention. Readers used to the usual dryness and technicality of professional handbooks will be delighted to discover studies that are readable and provocative as well as accurate and comprehensive. Those interested in responding effectively to complex humanitarian crises should consider this book an indispensable resource.' -- Richard E. Rubenstein, George Mason University, USA 'The Handbook on Humanitarian Crises is a timely analysis of the subject with a very good balance of basic concepts, in-depth case studies on current crises, and emerging risks. I am confident that it will be useful for not only researchers and students, but also for practitioners and policymakers.' -- Rajib Shaw, Keio University, JapanMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 244 mm
Width: 169 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-0353-2791-1 (9781035327911)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Edited by Alpaslan OEzerdem, Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies and Dean, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, George Mason University, USA
Content
Contents
Introduction to the Handbook on Humanitarian Crises 1
Alpaslan OEzerdem
PART I FOUNDATIONS OF HUMANITARIAN GOVERNANCE
1 Humanity in theory and practice: values, principles and moral problems in
humanitarian action 18
Hugo Slim
2 The politics of humanitarianism 34
Antonio De Lauri and Heidi Mogstad
3 The clash of sovereignty and humanitarianism: a legal perspective 44
Taj Hussain
4 Public policy and humanitarian crises: global perspectives 57
Ratna B. Dougherty and Naim Kapucu
5 Framing crisis: the impact of discursive formations on aid design in
Central America's Northern Triangle 68
Isabella Shraiman and Dorothea Hilhorst
6 Tying humanitarian relief to peacebuilding: UN peace operations'
response to disaster 91
Silvia Danielak
7 The primacy of non-governmental organisations in humanitarian relief 102
Eric James and Ernest Ogbozor
8 Transformation of humanitarian aid: a critical review of responses to
humanitarian crises 112
Hiroto Tanaka
9 Community resilience in humanitarian crises 122
SungYong Lee
10 Navigating the landscape of inclusive humanitarian action 134
Nadia Lahdili
11 Communication, media and humanitarian action 146
Piers Robinson
PART II CONTEMPORARY HUMANITARIAN CRISES AND OPERATIONAL
RESPONSES
12 Challenges and barriers in collaborative humanitarian efforts in Ukraine
during wartime 159
Olga Pysmenna
13 Climate, conflict and the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan: lessons from
community resilience 174
Billy Agwanda and Israel Nyaburi Nyadera
14 How refugee crises begin and become protracted: lessons from Kenya 187
Gordon Ogutu
15 Insurgency, counterinsurgency, and famine-like conditions in Northeast
Nigeria 199
Ernest Ogbozor
16 News coverage of humanitarian crisis: a study of banditry in Northwest
Nigeria 209
Idris Mohammed and Eric Msughter Aondover
17 The real water crisis: the case in Iraq 218
Sala Kurtz
18 Disaster preparedness by state and non-state actors: lessons from Turkey's
February 2023 earthquake 229
H. Kuersad Aslan
19 Poverty and food security in Afghanistan post 2021 242
Mansoor Ehsan
20 The complex humanitarian crisis in Yemen: the story of man-made food
insecurity and potential famine 252
Abdulrahman Abohajeb and Hamad Aldhlea
21 Unfettered war: consequences of the extinguished humanitarian space in
Gaza 263
Ghassan Elkahlout
PART III EMERGING TRENDS AND THE FUTURE OF HUMANITARIAN
ACTION
22 Towards a culture of proactiveness: the power of Anticipatory Action 277
Khairul Rahaman Sheikh
23 Rethinking humanitarian crises through risks and catastrophes in the risk
society 294
M. Salih Elmas
24 International coordination in preparedness: evolving practices to address
future humanitarian crises 304
Salar Khudadad and Bruno Husquinet
25 Innovative humanitarian leadership: lessons from South Sudan 318
Peter Van der Auweraert
26 Impact of global public health crises on mental health: an in-depth
understanding of systemic factors, challenges, and hard-learned
innovations 330
Harsimran Kaur Wadhwa and Kristen Ullrich
27 Gender policy perspectives on forced displacement: addressing sexual and
reproductive health and rights in FCV settings 341
Leila Hanafi and Danielle Marie Hites
28 Terrorism and humanitarian crises: challenges and recommendations for
humanitarian action 353
Abdul-Akeem Sadiq
29 Humanitarian technology 365
Keil Eggers
30 Data and technology: how the digital transformation of humanitarian
action reinforces the pursuit of legibility 375
Ziad Al Achkar
31 Understanding strategies for conflict resolution in humanitarian crises 387
Charles E. Davidson
32 Bringing the "human" to humanitarian training: reflections on scenario-
based exercise training activities 397
David J. Smith and Jess Bonnan-White
Introduction to the Handbook on Humanitarian Crises 1
Alpaslan OEzerdem
PART I FOUNDATIONS OF HUMANITARIAN GOVERNANCE
1 Humanity in theory and practice: values, principles and moral problems in
humanitarian action 18
Hugo Slim
2 The politics of humanitarianism 34
Antonio De Lauri and Heidi Mogstad
3 The clash of sovereignty and humanitarianism: a legal perspective 44
Taj Hussain
4 Public policy and humanitarian crises: global perspectives 57
Ratna B. Dougherty and Naim Kapucu
5 Framing crisis: the impact of discursive formations on aid design in
Central America's Northern Triangle 68
Isabella Shraiman and Dorothea Hilhorst
6 Tying humanitarian relief to peacebuilding: UN peace operations'
response to disaster 91
Silvia Danielak
7 The primacy of non-governmental organisations in humanitarian relief 102
Eric James and Ernest Ogbozor
8 Transformation of humanitarian aid: a critical review of responses to
humanitarian crises 112
Hiroto Tanaka
9 Community resilience in humanitarian crises 122
SungYong Lee
10 Navigating the landscape of inclusive humanitarian action 134
Nadia Lahdili
11 Communication, media and humanitarian action 146
Piers Robinson
PART II CONTEMPORARY HUMANITARIAN CRISES AND OPERATIONAL
RESPONSES
12 Challenges and barriers in collaborative humanitarian efforts in Ukraine
during wartime 159
Olga Pysmenna
13 Climate, conflict and the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan: lessons from
community resilience 174
Billy Agwanda and Israel Nyaburi Nyadera
14 How refugee crises begin and become protracted: lessons from Kenya 187
Gordon Ogutu
15 Insurgency, counterinsurgency, and famine-like conditions in Northeast
Nigeria 199
Ernest Ogbozor
16 News coverage of humanitarian crisis: a study of banditry in Northwest
Nigeria 209
Idris Mohammed and Eric Msughter Aondover
17 The real water crisis: the case in Iraq 218
Sala Kurtz
18 Disaster preparedness by state and non-state actors: lessons from Turkey's
February 2023 earthquake 229
H. Kuersad Aslan
19 Poverty and food security in Afghanistan post 2021 242
Mansoor Ehsan
20 The complex humanitarian crisis in Yemen: the story of man-made food
insecurity and potential famine 252
Abdulrahman Abohajeb and Hamad Aldhlea
21 Unfettered war: consequences of the extinguished humanitarian space in
Gaza 263
Ghassan Elkahlout
PART III EMERGING TRENDS AND THE FUTURE OF HUMANITARIAN
ACTION
22 Towards a culture of proactiveness: the power of Anticipatory Action 277
Khairul Rahaman Sheikh
23 Rethinking humanitarian crises through risks and catastrophes in the risk
society 294
M. Salih Elmas
24 International coordination in preparedness: evolving practices to address
future humanitarian crises 304
Salar Khudadad and Bruno Husquinet
25 Innovative humanitarian leadership: lessons from South Sudan 318
Peter Van der Auweraert
26 Impact of global public health crises on mental health: an in-depth
understanding of systemic factors, challenges, and hard-learned
innovations 330
Harsimran Kaur Wadhwa and Kristen Ullrich
27 Gender policy perspectives on forced displacement: addressing sexual and
reproductive health and rights in FCV settings 341
Leila Hanafi and Danielle Marie Hites
28 Terrorism and humanitarian crises: challenges and recommendations for
humanitarian action 353
Abdul-Akeem Sadiq
29 Humanitarian technology 365
Keil Eggers
30 Data and technology: how the digital transformation of humanitarian
action reinforces the pursuit of legibility 375
Ziad Al Achkar
31 Understanding strategies for conflict resolution in humanitarian crises 387
Charles E. Davidson
32 Bringing the "human" to humanitarian training: reflections on scenario-
based exercise training activities 397
David J. Smith and Jess Bonnan-White