This paper explores the ethical tensions that arise when multi-mandate agencies participate in humanitarian operations. It draws on a rapid literature review of relevant academic and policy documents, and briefly compares the experiences of multi-mandate agencies with those of other professional organisations that undertake emergency and development work.
The paper focuses on five strategic sources of ethical tension. It identifies situations in which these are most likely to arise, and policies that agencies have designed to manage them. It then gives examples of similar ethical tensions in politics, healthcare, human rights and policing.
