Research and Studies

Imperfect relief: Challenges to the impartiality and identity of humanitarian action

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Drawing on literature review, expert interviews and operational experience, this article critically examines the humanitarian principle of impartiality and its application in practice. It explores challenges related to non-discrimination, proportionality, humanitarian decision-making, power dynamics and accountability, arguing for a stronger conceptual and operational understanding of impartiality to improve humanitarian action in increasingly complex crises.

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