Unaware Actors: Policies and Random Combinations of Aid Interventions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992-1995)

In: Politicka misao, Band 35, Heft 5, S. 125-135

Abstract

In the last ten years, international organizations have defined more clearly the role & the tasks of humanitarian aid in contemporary international relations. The case of Bosnia & Herzegovina is a good illustration of the advantages but also of the disadvantages of today's humanitarian operations. The peacekeeping operation in Bosnia & Herzegovina is the largest operation of this kind that has been set in motion by the international community. In its humanitarian aspect it is complex & multilayered. Humanitarian campaigns today are more philanthropically, than organizationally, driven, but it is the latter aspect that makes them fail or succeed. It is not enough to provide humanitarian aid, but its distribution to the recipients who need it must be organized. That process involves several essential factors: international & inter-state organizations governmental organizations as well as nongovernmental (international & focal) organizations & associations. The example of Bosnia & Herzegovina shows to what extent the mentioned factors contribute to the success of a humanitarian operation, but also the problems that stem from their undefined role & tasks. Adapted from the source document.