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Tufts University

Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy

Fletcher School of International Law and Diplomacy

NUTR 229 / DHP D-230

Humanitarian Action in Complex Political Emergencies

Fall 2017

Class Meetings: Monday afternoon, 3:15 – 6:15 pm, September 11 – December 11, 2017

(Total of 13 sessions, no class on October 9)

Tufts University Boston Campus. Jaharis 118

150 Harrison Avenue, Boston

Instructor: Daniel Maxwell

(617) 627-3410; [email protected]

Office hours: Friedman School: Monday 2:00 – 3:00 (by appointment)

Feinstein Center: By appointment. Contact: [email protected]

Teaching Asst: Jeeyon Janet Kim

[email protected]

Office hours: Friedman School: By appointment

Graduate Credits: 1 credit

Prerequisites: Graduate Student Status

Course Description: The past two decades have witnessed a major transformation of humanitarian action. The

geopolitical changes resulting from the end of the Cold and the global war on terror have

profoundly changed the environment in which humanitarian action takes place. These changes—

and proposed ways of responding to them—have triggered heated debates about philosophical,

analytical and operational issues within the humanitarian community. The range of humanitarian

actors has broadened to include the military and, increasingly, for-profit firms. A range of

humanitarian actors and agencies has emerged from the Middle East and the global South, alongside

or outside of the traditional Western, UN-led humanitarian system. The “complex emergencies” of

the 1990s and early 2000s have seemingly metamorphosed into “protracted crises,” with some 70%

of the humanitarian budget now spent on “emergencies” lasting five years or longer. Long-held

principles are questioned or discarded, with humanitarian action no longer seen by many

belligerents as either neutral or impartial, and the emergence of “counter-humanitarian” groups in

some crises—such as Al Shabaab in Somalia or Boko Haram in Nigeria.

mailto:[email protected]



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Despite the higher media attention to rapid-onset natural disasters such as Typhoon Haiyan or the

Nepal earthquake, roughly 70-80% of the actual humanitarian budget is devoted to conflict-related

emergencies. Conflict-related emergencies are the central focus of this class, but it is increasingly

clear that there are political and human-made elements to all crises, so some of the old categories

(such as “complex emergencies” or “natural disasters”) are no longer very helpful descriptions.

Some observers contend that the role of humanitarian action has been reduced to that of a safety net

against the most egregious impacts of the globalization and climate change, and suggest it is time to

rethink the whole enterprise. Others assert that the present—with more higher levels of assessed

humanitarian need than at any time in the past seventy years—is a time for action, not the time for

reconsidering first principles. In 2016, the World Humanitarian Summit convened governments,

donors, agencies and humanitarian actors to review the current situation, future threats, and commit

to different ways of working. 2017, on the other hand, has simultaneously seen at least one famine

already declared, three more countries on the famine-risk list, the highest number of people

requiring food assistance is recorded history, and the highest numbers of displaced people since at

least the end of World War II.

This class will challenge students to consider all of these—the principles, analytical perspectives,

and the actions required—to protect the lives. livelihoods and dignity of crisis- and conflict-affected

people. This class will introduce students to a broad range of research and evidence that constitutes

our knowledge on humanitarian action in complex emergencies, to the key ethical and policy

debates, and to the practical dilemmas that surround contemporary humanitarian action. The overall

objective is to enable students to gain the ability to understand and keep abreast of a rapidly

evolving field. This is not a “how-to” class, but there is a strong emphasis on the practical

application of this knowledge. The course simultaneously treats humanitarian action as a

phenomenon to be understood and as a practice that urgently needs to be improved.

Course Objectives: This multi-disciplinary course will cover a broad range of subjects, and has a number of objectives.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Outline historical perspectives on humanitarian action;

• Describe the ethical framework of humanitarian action and be able to apply international

humanitarian law, principles, and codes of conduct to humanitarian action in complex

emergencies, and outline major debates surrounding these frameworks;

• Utilize the main analytical frameworks (conflict analysis, famine theory, livelihoods) to address

the protection of life, livelihoods, rights and safety of people in complex emergencies;

• Critically and quickly read, interpret and apply research on humanitarian action;

• Analyze the political economy of conflict and humanitarian assistance;

• Describe the main critiques of humanitarian action;

• Outline the ethical/practical implications of a human rights-approach in humanitarian action;

• Utilize methodologies for improving the quality, effectiveness and accountability of

humanitarian action;

• Describe the evolving nature of conflict, crisis, and the architecture of the humanitarian system.

Specific weekly objectives are spelled out below.

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Texts or Materials: There are three required books for the course. Recommended books make more in-depth reading,

but are not assigned. Because of copyright restrictions, most book readings are on the recommended

list only. For each week, we will post required readings on Trunk. When books are assigned as

required readings, copies of the texts will be put on reserve at both Hirsh and Ginn libraries.

Required texts:

Slim, Hugo. 2014. Humanitarian Ethics. A Guide to the Morality of Aid in War and Disaster.

London, Hurst. **

Sphere Project. 2011. Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response.

Geneva, The Sphere Project, Geneva. Note: this text is not intended to be read in its entirety.

But the student is expected to know its contents and how to use it. Also note that a new

version of Sphere is being finalized right now, and parts of it are available on line:

http://www.sphereproject.org/handbook/revision-sphere-handbook/draft-ready-for-feedback/

Walker, Peter and Daniel Maxwell. 2009. Shaping the Humanitarian World. Series on Global

Institutions. London, Routledge. (Best simply purchased from Amazon). **

Other recommended books: Hoffman, Peter and Thomas Weiss. 2017. Humanitarianism, War, and Politics: Solferino to Syria

and Beyond. London: Rowman and Littlefield.

Maxwell, Daniel and Nisar Majid. 2016. Famine in Somalia: Competing Imperatives and

Collective Failures, 2011-2012. New York: Oxford University Press.**

Carbonnier, Gilles. 2015. Humanitarian Economics. War, Disaster and the Global Aid Market.

London: Hurst.

Fast, Larissa. 2014. Aid in Danger. The Perils and Promise of Humanitarianism. Philadelphia:

University of Pennsylvania Press.

Fassin, Didier and Mariella Pandolfi. 2013. Contemporary States of Emergency. The Politics of

Military and Humanitarian Interventions. New York: Zone Books.

Ramalingam, Ben. 2013. Aid on the Edge of Chaos. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Donini, Antonio, ed. 2012. The Golden Fleece: Manipulation and Independence in Humanitarian

Action. Hartford, CT: Kumarian Press.

Barnett, Michael. 2011. Empire of Humanity: A History of Humanitarianism. New York: Cornell

Press.**

Keen, David. 2008. Complex Emergencies. Cambridge: Polity Press.

Rieff, David. 2002. A Bed for the Night. New York: Simon and Schuster.

Terry, Fiona. 2002. Condemned to Repeat? The Paradox of Humanitarian Action. Ithaca: Cornell

Press.

de Waal, Alex. 1997. Famine Crimes: Politics and the Disaster Relief Industry. Oxford: J. Currey.

** On Reserve in Ginn and Sackler Libraries.

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Academic Conduct: Each student is responsible for upholding the highest standards of academic integrity, as specified in

the Friedman School’s Policies and Procedures manual

(http://nutrition.tufts.edu/student/documents) and Tufts University policies

(http://uss.tufts.edu/studentAffairs/documents/HandbookAcademicIntegrity.pdf).

It is the responsibility of each student to understand and comply with these standards, as

violations will be sanctioned by penalties ranging from failure on an individual assignment,

failure on the course to dismissal from the school.

Classroom Conduct: There will be one three-hour class each week, led by Dan Maxwell and several guest lecturers.

Course announcements, presentation notes, assigned readings, team assignments, case study

assignments and exams are all provided on the course website on Canvas

Evaluation and Grading: The course grade will be a combination of the group case studies (20%), the two written papers

(20% each), class participation, small-group discussion (20%), and the presentation of the

final case study (20%). In brief, each student will be responsible for the following. More

information on all assignments and the criteria for grading is in “Course Assignment Notes.”

• Readings: Students should be prepared for each class by completing the required readings and

reflecting on them in advance.

Group case studies: Each student will participate in a group presentation in class of a case

study related to one session of the course. Topics for the class presentations will be based on the

course syllabus and the presentations will usually be presented the same week as the related

topic in class. Sign up for case studies will take place during Week 2. We will try our best to

assign everyone to their first or second choice. Each student in the class is expected to

participate in the preparation and presentation of group analysis.

Final case study. There will also be a final in-class case study for the second last class—

focusing on the current crisis in South Sudan—a complex crisis with long historical roots,

multiple international players, oil, a kleptocratic state, a massive displacement and protection

crisis, and a famine or near-famine status for over three years. This will require some additional

teamwork. Each team will be responsible for two outputs: the first is an in-class presentation on

the last day; the second is a short, team paper that outlines the presentation and provides the

necessary background evidence, also due on the last day of class.

• Brief papers: Each student will write two brief papers during the course of the semester related

to a theme of the course. These papers will be in the form of a “professional brief,” roughly

1,000-1,500 words in length. The first will be an exercise on principles and law: students will be

asked to choose one of two cases and explore the issues arising regarding humanitarian action,

humanitarian law, and humanitarian principles in given contexts. The second will be a choice of

short essay questions that will challenge you to pull together some analysis across different

sessions of the class. For that reason, it will be later in the semester.

http://nutrition.tufts.edu/student/documents

http://uss.tufts.edu/studentAffairs/documents/HandbookAcademicIntegrity.pdf

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• Participation/group discussions: Due to the anticipated size of the class, we will rely on

discussion in groups of 5-6 students on various occasions throughout the semester. Students will

explore the readings of the class in these groups, based on discussion questions.

Working in groups: Note that a fair part of the final grade for this course is based on group

work (40% of the total). We will make an attempt to get feedback form groups on the extent of

participation and the equality of work sharing, but the truth is that, going forward much of how

you will be judged will be based on group outputs, not just individual outputs. Hence there is

some method to the madness here.

A word about the assigned reading: This class requires a lot of reading, but the intent in assigning this reading is not that students

commit to reading every word. Some of the reading comes from lengthy reports or documents that

define important issues, or set important policy directions in the field of humanitarian action. The

idea is to get a sense of what these documents say, where they come from, and how they influence

the field of humanitarian action. This can and should be done without reading the entire document.

For better or worse, learning how to quickly digest documents like this is an important professional

skill. In this day and age, information overload is a constant fact of life, so learning how to quickly

assess information overload and figuring out how to get the information you need is a critical

skill—whether you go into humanitarian action or some other field—so again there is a bit of a

method to the madness in this class! The intent is that the readings in this course should require 7-8

hours per week. Students who are having trouble keeping up with the reading should speak to Dan

or Janet, or attend one of the reading workshops available on campus. The recommended reading is

intended for students who are particularly interested in the topic and would like to dig deeper.

Assigned reading materials: The assignments, reading materials, and all announcements will be posted on Canvas

https://login.canvas.tufts.edu/. All students will have access to Canvas upon registration. If you have

trouble accessing Canvas, please let Janet know.

Assignments and Submission Instructions: Assignments received after their deadline will not be accepted or graded unless extension is

approved in advance. Students who are unable to complete an assignment exam on time for any

reason should notify the instructor prior to the deadline. Completing the short papers on time is

absolutely mandatory, because we have shifted assigments around this year to be able to discuss

these papers in class—so anyone not having completed the assignment on time would have a huge

unfair advantage if they heard the in-class discussion before they submitted their papers. Thus there

will be no exceptions to this requirement.

Laptop Use in Class:

Given persistent complaints about the distraction of people using computers for non-class activites,

computers are not allowed in the classroom in 2017.

https://login.canvas.tufts.edu/

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Accommodation of Disabilities: Students with documented disabilities are entitled to academic accommodation appropriate to their

needs. If you require accommodations for this course (including the use of a laptop), please contact

the instructor or TA confidentially prior to the end of the second week of classes.

Recommended humanitarian websites with which students should become familiar

Feinstein International Center, Tufts University http://fic.tufts.edu

The Humanitarian Policy Group/ODI www.odi.org.uk/hpg

The Humanitarian Practice Network www.odihpn.org

Integrated Regional Information Network www.irinnews.org

Relief Web www.reliefweb.int

Alert Net www.alertnet.org

FEWSNET www.fews.net

PHAP (Professionals in Humanitarian Assistance

And Protection) www.phap.org

The Sphere Project www.sphereproject.org

Action Learning Network for Accountability www.alnap.org

And Performance (ALNAP)

The Core Humanitarian Standard Alliance http://www.chsalliance.org

ACAPS Project www.acaps.org

Websites of a few of the major humanitarian agencies

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian www.unocha.org

Affairs (OCHA)

International Committee of the Red Cross www.icrc.org

International Federation of Red Cross and www.ifrc.org

Red Crescent Societies

Médecins sans Frontières/Doctors without

Borders www.msf.org

The World Food Programme www.wfp.org

Oxfam www.oxfam.org

World Vision www.wvi.org

CARE www.care.org

Save the Children www.savethechildren.org

IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation www.ihh.org.tr/en

Adeso (African Development Solutions) www.adesoafrica.org

The Network for Empowered Aid Response www.near.ngo

Students are encouraged to explore these websites (and look for others!) for information throughout

the course.

http://fic.tufts.edu/

http://www.odi.org.uk/hpg

http://www.odihpn.org/

http://www.irinnews.org/

http://www.reliefweb.int/

http://www.alertnet.org/

http://www.fews.net/

http://www.phap.org/

http://www.sphereproject.org/

http://www.alnap.org/

http://www.chsalliance.org/

http://www.acaps.org/

http://www.unocha.org/

http://www.icrc.org/

http://www.ifrc.org/

http://www.msf.org/

http://www.wfp.org/

http://www.oxfam.org/

http://www.wvi.org/

http://www.care.org/

http://www.savethechildren.org/

http://www.ihh.org.tr/en

http://www.adesoafrica.org/

http://www.near.ngo/

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Course Schedule:

Note: Subject to change at instructor’s discretion or due to scheduling conflicts

Date Session No. and Topic Presenter Activity Assignments

Sept.

11

1. Introduction and case study

Dan Darfur Case

study

Sept.

18

2. Historical foundations, and

contemporary update *

Dan Leir Event at

Fletcher

Sign up for Group

Case Studies

Sept.

25

3. Humanitarian principles Dan Another view on

Ethics (Dan)

Oct. 2 4. International Humanitarian Law

Tom

Dannenbaum

Group

Discussion

Case Study Group #1

Oct. 9 No Class: Indigenous Peoples Day

Work on Paper

#1

Oct. 16 5. Structure, architecture, and reform

of the “Humanitarian System”

Dan Group

Discussion

Brief Paper #1 due

Oct. 23 6. Conflict and conflict analysis

Dan Alex de Waal

Discuss Paper #1

Sign up for Final

Case Study

Oct 30 7. Food security and famine theory*

Dan Head Count case

study

Nov. 6 8. Evidence and information in

humanitarian action*

Dan IPC exercise

Nov. 13 9. Overview of livelihoods analysis Dan Group

Discussion

Case Study Group #2

Nov. 20 10. Rights/humanitarian protection

Dan

Case Study Group #3

Brief Paper #2 due

Nov. 27 11. Working in complex emergencies Dan Greg Gottlieb?

Discuss Paper #2

Case Study Group #4

Dec. 4 12. The changing nature of crisis &

evolution of humanitarianism

Dan Grp. Discussion;

Exercise

Case Study Group #5

Case Study Group #6

(if needed)

Week

of Dec.

11

13. Final case study presentations Class Note schedule

conflict

Final Case Study

presentation and

paper

* Please view presentation prior to class

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Course Topics, Learning Objectives, and Assignments

***

Week 1: What is humanitarianism in the 21st century? An introduction to humanitarian action

through a case study

(September 11, 2017 – Dan Maxwell)

Learning objectives: Upon completion of this week, students will be able to:

1. Outline the contents and expectations of the course

2. Know the administrative procedures for the course

3. Describe the confusion of working in a major complex emergency through a case study

Preparation for class:

A. Required Reading:

Bennett, Christina, Michael Foley, Sara Pantuliano 2016. “Time to let go: A three point proposal to

change the humanitarian system.” London: HPG (Briefing version).


Institutions. London, Routledge. Introduction, pp. 1-12.

Taylor, Glyn, Abby Stoddard, Adele Harmer, Katherine Haver, Paul Harvey. 2015. The State of the

Humanitarian System. London: Active Learning Network for Accountability and

Performance in Humanitarian Action. (Executive Summary only)

B. Recommended Reading:

Healy, Sean and Sandrine Tiller. 2014. “Where is Everyone? Responding to Emergencies in the

Most Difficult Places.” Paris: Médecins sans Frontières.

Terry, Fiona. 2002. Condemned to Repeat? The Paradox of Humanitarian Action. Ithaca, Cornell

University Press. Introduction, pp. 1-16.

Rieff, David. 2002. “Humanitarianism in Crisis.” Foreign Affairs, Nov/Dec 2002, Vol. 81. Issue 6,

p. 11.

***

Week 2: Historical foundations: Perspectives on humanitarian history.



1. Describe the historical perspectives on humanitarian action

2. Note the major epochs of humanitarian strategy and action

3. Classify the different schools of thought on humanitarianism

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Assignment:

1. Sign up for Group Case Study


A. Online Presentation

B. Required Reading:

Barnett, Michael. 2011. Empire of Humanity: A History of Humanitarianism. New York: Cornell

Press. Read “Introduction: The Crooked Timber of Humanitarianism”


Institutions. London, Routledge. Read chapters 1-3 on the history of humanitarian action,

pp. 13-78.

United Nations. 2016. One Humanity: Shared Responsibility. Report of the Secretary General to the

World Humanitarian Summit. New York: UN (Sec, I-III: peruse core commitments).

C. Recommended Reading:

Moussa, Jasmine. 2014 Ancient origins, modern actors: defining Arabic meanings of

humanitarianism. Humanitarian Policy Group Report. London: ODI.

Davey, Eleanor, John Borton and Matthew Foley. 2013. A history of the humanitarian system:

Western origins and foundations. HPG Working Paper. London: ODI.

Barnett, Michael. 2005. “Humanitarianism Transformed.” Perspectives on Politics. Vol. 3, pp. 723-

740.

Dunant, Henri. 2001 (1864). A Memory of Solferino. Paris, Elibron Classics.

***

Week 3: Humanitarian principles and codes of conduct



1. Describe major perspectives on ethical conduct of humanitarian action

2. Summarize humanitarian principles and codes of conduct



Slim, Hugo. Humanitarian Ethics. A Guide to the Morality of Aid in War and Disaster. London,

Hurst. Chapter 2-4.

Collinson, Sarah and Samir Elhawary. 2012. “Humanitarian space: A review of trends and issues.”

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HPG Report 32. London: Overseas Development Institute.


Slim, Hugo. Humanitarian Ethics. A Guide to the Morality of Aid in War and Disaster. London,

Hurst. Chapters 1 and 5.

Stuart Gordon and Antonio Donini. 2015. “Romancing principes and human rights: Are

humanitarian principles salvageable?” International Review of the Red Cross. Vol. 97, 897-

898, pp. 77-109

Damary, Martin. 2014. On being neutral: Reflections on neutrality in humanitarian action.

Professionals in Humanitarian Action and Protection.

de Torrente, Nicolas. 2004. “Humanitarian Action under Attack: Reflections on the Iraq War.”

Harvard Human Rights Journal. Vol. 17(1), pp 1-30.

O’Brien, Paul. 2004. “Politicized Humanitarianism: A Response to Nicolas de Torrente.” Harvard

Human Rights Journal. Vol. 17(1), pp 31-41.

Terry, Fiona. 2011. “The International Committee of the Red Cross in Afghanistan: reasserting the

neutrality of humanitarian action.” International Review of the Red Cross. Volume 93,

Number 881.

Darcy, James and Hofmann Charles-Antoine. 2003. According to Need? Needs Assessment and

Decision-Making in the Humanitarian Sector Humanitarian Policy Group Report #15.

London: ODI.

Walker, Peter. 2005. “Cracking the code: the genesis, use and future of the Code of Conduct.”

Disasters, Vol. 29(4): 323−336.

***

Week 4: International Humanitarian Law

(October 2, 2017 – Professor Tom Dannenbaum)


1. Describe the application of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) to contemporary

humanitarian action

2. Note the dilemmas of IHL in contemporary crises

Assignment:

1. Case Study Group #1



Solis, G. 2010. The Law of Armed Conflict: International Humanitarian Law in War.

Cambridge University Press. Ch1 pages 2- 27 & Ch 7 pages 250 - 286.

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International Committee of the Red Cross. 2014. International Humanitarian Law: Answers to

your questions. 2nd ed. Geneva, ICRC.

International Committee of the Red Cross. 2015. “International Humanitarian Law and the

challenges of contemporary armed conflicts”. Geneva, ICRC. Pages 26-33 (humanitarian

access and protection) and 38-59 (means and methods of warfare.).

Modirzadeh, N. 2014 "International Law and Armed Conflict in Dark Times: A Call for

Engagement," Opinion Note, International Review of the Red Cross, 96 (895/896), p. 737-

749.


Heba Aly. 2015. "No Deal to Strenghthen the Geneva Conventions," IRIN. Available at:

http://www.irinnews.org/analysis/2015/12/10/no-deal-strengthen-respect-geneva-

conventions

Ignatieff, Michael. 1997. “Unarmed Warriors,” The New Yorker, March 24, 1997.

International Committee of the Red Cross. 2008. “How is the Term "Armed Conflict" defined in

International Humanitarian Law?”, Opinion Paper. Geneva, ICRC.

International Committee of the Red Cross. 2002. “Acts of Terror, ‘Terrorism’ and International

Humanitarian Law.” Geneva, ICRC.

International Committee of the Red Cross. 1983. Understanding Humanitarian Law: Basic Rules

of the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols. Geneva,

***

Week 5: The Structure, Architecture and Reform of the “Humanitarian System”

(October 16, 2017 – Dan Maxwell)


1. Describe the architecture of the formal “humanitarian system”

2. Discuss the history of humanitarian reforms since Rwanda and their impact on the “system”

3. Apply Sphere guidelines in a complex emergency

4. Relate the developments in the formal system to developments outside the formal system and

describe the effects of the latter to the former.

Assignment:

1. Brief paper #1 due


http://www.irinnews.org/analysis/2015/12/10/no-deal-strengthen-respect-geneva-conventions

http://www.irinnews.org/analysis/2015/12/10/no-deal-strengthen-respect-geneva-conventions

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Institutions. London, Routledge. Read chapters 4-6 on the major actors, pp.79-135.

The SPHERE Project. 2011. Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response.

Sphere Project, Geneva. (Peruse and familiarize yourself with the contents—don’t try to

read the whole thing!)

Donini, Antonio. 2015. “Policy Brief. Humanitarian Reform.” Feinstein International Center.

Medford MA. Tufts University.

Weiss, Thomas and Peter Hoffman. 2007. “The Fog of Humanitarianism: Collective Action

problems and Learning-Challenged Organizations.” Journal of Intervention and

Statebuilding, Vol.1 (1), pp. 47-65


James, Eric. 2016. “The professional humanitarian and the downsides of professionalization”

Dsasters, 40(2):185-206

Knox-Clarke, Paul and Leah Campbell. 2015. Exploring Coordination in Humanitarian Clusters.

ALNAP Study. London: ALNAP/ODI.

Simon Levine. 2015. “System Failure? Why Humanitarian Assistance Can’t Meet Its Objectives

Without Systems Thinking—and Why It Finds It so Hard to Use It” London: ODI.

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-21106-0_13

Walker, Peter and Catherine Russ. 2010. “Professionalizing the Humanitarian Sector: A Scoping

Study.” ELHRA, RED-R, and Feinstein International Center. Medford: Tufts University

Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation with DARA. 2014. “Now or never:

Making humanitarian aid more effective”

Cooley, Alexander and James Ron. 2002. “NGO Scramble. Organizational Insecurity and the

Political Economy of Transnational Action.” International Security. Vo. 27(1), pp. 5-39.

McDougal, Lotus and Jennifer Beard. 2010. “Revisiting Sphere: new standards of service delivery

for new trends in protracted displacement.” Disasters. Vol. 34 (1), pp. 87–101,

Steering Committee of the Joint Evaluation of Emergency Assistance to Rwanda. 1996. The

International Response to Conflict and Genocide: Lessons from the Rwanda Experience.

Particularly Chapter 3 on “The Humanitarian Response.”

Maxwell, Daniel, Sarah Bailey, Paul Harvey, Peter Walker, Cheyanne Sharbatke Church, and Kevin

Savage. 2012. “Preventing corruption in humanitarian assistance: perceptions, gaps and

challenges.” Disasters. Vol. 36(1): 140-160.

Anderson, Mary. 2004. The Do No Harm Handbook. Cambridge, Local Capacities for Peace

Project.

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-21106-0_13

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United Nations. 2006. Delivering as One. Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on UN System-

wide Coherence in the Areas of Development, Humanitarian Assistance, and the

Environment.

***

Week 6: Conflict analysis and the political economy of violence

(October 23, 2017 – Dan Maxwell & Alex de Waal)


1. Note the changing dynamics of conflict

2. Apply alternative means of analyzing conflict and understanding the impact of conflict

3. Describe the interaction of humanitarian programming and conflict

4. Describe conflict sensitive programming

Assignment:

1. Sign up for Final Case Study

2. Brief Paper #1 Discussion



Norwegian Refugee Council. 2017. “Countering Violent Extremism and Humanitarian Action.

Oslo: NRC

Fisher, Max. 2016. “Syria’s Paradox: Why the War Only Ever Seems to Get Worse” New York

Times. Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/27/world/middleeast/syria-civil-war-

why-get-worse.html?emc=edit_th_20160827&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=68052917

de Waal, Alex. 2016. “A Political Marketplace Analysis of South Sudan’s Peace.” JSRP Occasional

Paper. Somerville: WPF.

Williams, Paul. 2011. War and Conflict in Africa. Cambridge: Polity Press. Read Chapers 1&2.

Duffield, Mark. 2005. “Getting savages to fight barbarians: development, security and the colonial

present.” Conflict, Security & Development. Vol. 5(2), pp. 141-159

Peruse several of the following “how to” documents on conflict analysis:

Woodrow, Peter. 2012. “Conflict Analysis Framework: Field Guidelines and Procedures.”

Reflecting on Peace Practice Project/CDA Collaborative Learning Projects: Cambridge:

CDA and Norwegian Church Aid.

USAID. 2012. “Conflict Assessment Framework.” Version 2. Washington DC: USAID.

Le Billon, Philippe. 2002. “The Political Economy of War: What Relief Agencies Need to Know.”

Humanitarian Policy Network Paper #33. London: Overseas Development Institute.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/27/world/middleeast/syria-civil-war-why-get-worse.html?emc=edit_th_20160827&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=68052917

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/27/world/middleeast/syria-civil-war-why-get-worse.html?emc=edit_th_20160827&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=68052917

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SIDA. 2006. Manual for Conflict Analysis. Stockholm. SIDA


Stoddard, Abby, Adele Harmer, and Victoria Di Domenico. 2009. Providing aid in insecure

environments. Humanitarian Policy Group Policy Brief 34. London: Overseas Development

Institute.

Gingerich, Tara and Jennifer Leaning, 2004. The Use of Rape as a Weapon of War in the Conflict in

Darfur, Sudan. Cambridge, Physicians for Human Rights.

Carol Cohn. 2013. “Women and Wars: Towards a Conceptual Framework,” in Carol Cohn (editor)

Women & Wars. Cambridge: Polity Press. pp. 1- 30

Collinson, Sarah. 2003. Power, Livelihoods and Conflict: case studies in political economy analysis

for humanitarian action, HPG Report 13. London: Overseas Development Institute.

Keen, David. 2008. Complex Emergencies. Cambridge, Polity Press. Chapter 2 “War,” pp. 11-24.

Duffield, Mark. 2002. “War as Network Enterprise: The New Security Terrain and Its Implications”

Cultural Values. Volume 6, pp. 153-165.

***

Week 7: Food Security: Famine theory, entitlements, and complex emergencies

(October 30, 2017 – Dan Maxwell)


1. Describe the history of definitions and explanations for famine

2. Summarize entitlement theory and the underpinning of contemporary famine theory

3. Apply famine theory to the analysis of contemporary famines and food security crises




Levine, Simon, and Claire Chastre. 2004. “Missing the Point: An Analysis of Food Security

Interventions in the Great Lakes.” Humanitarian Practice Network Paper 47. London:

Overseas Development Institute.

Maxwell, Daniel, Kate Sadler, Amanda Sim, Mercy Mutonyi, Rebecca Egan and Mackinnon

Webster (2008). Emergency Food Security Programming: A Good Practice Review.

Humanitarian Practice Network, Good Practice Review Number 10. London: ODI, 7-17.

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Maxwell, Daniel and Merry Fitzpatrick. 2012. “The 2011 Somalia Famine: Context, Causes, and

Complications.” Global Food Security Vol. 1(1), pp. 5-12. Special Edition on the Somalia

Famine 2011-2012.

Devereux, Stephen. 2009. “Why does famine persist in Africa?” Food Security Vol. 1(1), pp.25-35.

IPC Global Partners. 2012 The Integrated Phase Classification Tool. Rome: FAO.

Sen, Amartya. 1981. “Poverty and Famines: An Essay on Entitlement and Deprivation,” pp 1-8, 39-

51, 154-166. (On reserve in Ginn and Sackler libraries)


Maxwell, Daniel and Nisar Majid. 2016. Famine in Somalia: Competing Imperatives, Collective

Failures. New York: Oxford University Press.

de Waal, Alex. 1997. Famine Crimes. “Introduction.” London, James Currey.

Maxwell, Daniel and Merry Fitzpatrick. 2012. “Famine.” Oxford Bibliographies On-Line. African

Studies Section. Entry ID: 9780199846733-0083

Edkins, J. (2002) “Mass Starvations and the Limitations of Famine Theorizing,” International

Development Studies Bulletin, Volume 33, # 4, October 2002, pp 12 – 18

Note: there is also a virtual volume on “Famine” released in 2011 by Disasters, after the famine in

Somalia: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291467-

7717/homepage/virtual_issue__refugees_and_the_displaced.htm

***

Week 8: Information and the evidence in humanitarian action

(November 6, 2017)– Dan Maxwell)


1. Describe what evidence is and why humanitarian action has not been evidence-based

2. Note major humanitarian information systems and how technology and evolving practice has

changed them

3. Quickly read, digest, interpret, and apply research and assessment evidence on humanitarian

action




ACAPS. 2017. “Expert Judgment: The use of expert judgment in humanitarian analysis; Theory,

methods and aplications. (Summary only). Geneva: ACAPS.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291467-7717/homepage/virtual_issue__refugees_and_the_displaced.htm

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291467-7717/homepage/virtual_issue__refugees_and_the_displaced.htm

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Knox-Clarke, Paul and James Darcy. 2014 “Insufficient Evidence? The Quality and Use of

Evidence in Humanitarian Action.” London: ALNAP

Mazurana, Dyan, Prisca Benelli, Huma Gupta and Peter Walker. 2011. “Sex and age matter:

Improving humanitarian response in emergencies.” Feinstein International Center Report.

Medford: Tufts University.

Maxwell, Daniel and Benjamin Watkins. 2003. “Humanitarian Information Systems and

Emergencies in the Greater Horn of Africa: Logical Components and Logical Linkages.”

Disasters Vol. 27(1), pp. 72–90.


ACAPS. 2014. Humanitarian Needs Assessment: The Good Enough Guide. Rugby: The

Assessment Capacities Project (ACAPS), Emergency Capacity Building Project (ECB) and

Practical Action Publishing. Peruse—don’t try to read the whole thing.

ALNAP webinar series: “Bridging the gap” http://www.alnap.org/evidence/bridging-the-gap

DFID. 2012. “Promoting innovation and evidence-based approaches to building resilience and

responding to humanitarian crises: A DFID Strategy Paper”

http://www.alnap.org/resource/9823

Dijkzeul, Dennis, Hilhorst, Dorothea, and Walker, Peter. 2013, Introduction: evidence-based action

in humanitarian crises. Disasters, 37: S1–S19. NOTE: Take a look at this whole supplement—

it is entirely devoted to this topic.

Webb, Patrick, Erin Boyd, Saskia de Pee, Lindsey Lenters, Martin Bloem, Werner Schultink. 2014.

“Nutrition in emergencies: Do we know what works?” Food Policy. Vol 49, pp. 33-40.

***

Week 9: Protecting lives and livelihoods – the livelihoods framework and approach

(November 13, 2017 – Dan Maxwell)


1. Describe the livelihoods framework and the contemporary derivatives of the livelihoods

framework

2. Apply the livelihoods framework to humanitarian action in complex emergencies

Assignment:




Maxwell, Daniel, Dyan Mazurana, Michael Wagner and Rachel Slater. 2017. “Livelihoods, conflict

and recovery: findings from the Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium.” London: ODI.

http://www.alnap.org/evidence/bridging-the-gap

http://www.alnap.org/resource/9823

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Young, Helen and Lisa Goldman. 2015. “Livelihoods, natural resources, and post-conflict

peacebhilding” Routledge. (Read Green “ Social Identity, Natural Resources, and

Peacebuilding” and Young and Goldman “Managing Natural Resources for Livelihoods:

Helping Post-Conflcit Communities Survive and Thrive”)

Lautze, Sue and Angela Raven-Roberts. 2006. “Violence and complex humanitarian emergencies:

implications for livelihoods models.” Disasters, Vol. 30(4), pp. 383-40

Maxwell, Daniel, Nisar Majid, Jeeyon Janet Kim, Guhad Adan, Khalif Abdirahman. 2015. “Facing

Famine: Somalia Experiences in the Famine of 2011.” Medford MA: FIC.


Mallett, Richard and Rachel Slater. 2016. “Livelihoods, conflict, and aid programming: is the

evidence base good enough?” Disasters, Vol 40(2), pp. 226-245

Longley, Catherine and Daniel Maxwell. 2003. “Livelihoods, Chronic Conflict and Humanitarian

Response: A Review of Current Approaches.” Working Paper 182. London: Overseas

Development Institute.

Young, Helen, and Karen Jacobsen. 2013. “No Way Back? Adaptation and Urbanization of IDP

Livelihoods in the Darfur Region of Sudan.” Development and Change, Vol. 44(1), pp. 125-

145.

Young, Helen, et al. 2006. “Livelihood Analysis: A Tool for Understanding and Responding to

Complex Humanitarian Emergencies.” Feinstein International Center. Medford: Tufts

University.

Collinson, Sarah. 2003. “Power, livelihoods and conflict: case studies in political economy analysis

for humanitarian action.” HPG Report 13. London, Overseas Development Institute, pp. 3-20.

***

Week 10: Rights and humanitarian protection



1. Note the theme of human rights in humanitarian action and rights-based approaches (RBA)

2. Describe the “responsibility to protect” (R2P)

3. Describe and apply principles of humanitarian protection issues in complex emergencies

Assignment:


2. Brief Paper #2 due



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Jackson, Ashley. 2014. Protecting civilians: the gap between norms and practice. HPG Paper.

London: HPG

Slim, Hugo and Andrew Bonwick. 2005. Protection: An ALNAP guide for humanitarian agencies.

London: ALNAP.

Reichhold, Urban et al. 2013. Scoping study: what works in protection and how do we know?

Berlin: GPPI.

South, Ashley et al. 2012. “Local to Global Protection in Myanmar (Burma), Sudan, South

Sudan and Zimbabwe. Network Paper No. 72. Humanitarian Practice Network. Read

Chapters 1 & 3 and select a case study to review.

Niland, Norah. 2014. “Inhumanity and Humanitarian Action: Protection Failures in Sri

Lanka.” Feinstein International Center, Tufts University: Medford, USA.

B. Recommended Reading (Required for those assigned to Debate 3):

Niland, Norah, Riccardo Polastro, Antonio Donini, Amra Lee. 2015. “Independent Whole of

System Review of Protection in the Context of Humanitarian Action.” Oslo:

Norwegian Refugee Council. Read Executive Summary, rest of the document is

recommended but not required.

ICISS. 2001. The Responsibility to Protect. Report of the International Commission on Intervention

and State Sovereignty. New York, UN.

Crawford, Nicholas, Gina Pattugalan and Liana Simmons. 2013. Protection in practice: Adaptation

and application in the context of food assistance. Chapter 1 from: Protection in Practice:

Food assistance with safety and dignity. Rome: WFP

Pantuliano, Sara. 2005. “A principled approach to complex emergencies: testing a new aid delivery

model in the Nuba Mountains. Disasters. Vol. 29 (Supp) p. 52-66.

Archibald, Steve and Paul Richards (2002). “Seeds and Rights; New Approaches to Post-War

Agricultural Rehabilitation in Sierra Leone.” Disasters 26(4), pp. 356-367.

***

Week 11: Working in complex emergencies: Protecting lives, dignity, and livelihoods



1. Apply the livelihoods framework to humanitarian action

2. Discuss the ethical and operational dilemmas of livelihoods applications in complex

emergencies

3. Describe conflict sensitive approaches in programming

Assignments:


2. Discuss Brief Paper #2

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Lautze, Sue. 1997. “Saving Lives and Livelihoods: Fundamentals of a Livelihoods Strategy.”

Medford, MA: Feinstein International Famine Center.

Zicherman, Nona, Aimal Khan, Anne Street, Heloise Heyer and Oliver Chevreau. 2011. Applying

conflict sensitivity in emergency response: Current practice and ways forward.

Humanitarian Practice Network Paper No. 70. London: ODI/HPN.

Czuba, Karol, Tyler O’Neill and Ana Ayala. 2017.The Impact of In-Kind Food Assistance on

Pastoralist Livelihoods in Humanitarian Crises. Humanitarian Evidence Programme.

Oxford: Oxfam GB. (Note: from the HEP program discussed in Week 8).

Harvey, Paul and Sarah Bailey. 2015. Cash transfer programming and the humanitarian system:

Background Note for the High Level Panel on Humanitarian Cash Transfers. London: ODI.

Feed the Future. November 2015. Ethiopia PRIME Project Impact Evaluation. Report of the Interim

Monitoring Survey 2014-2015. Tucson Arizona: TANGO. Read Sections 1, 5, 6, and 9.

Maxwell, Daniel, Heather Stobaugh, John Parker and Megan McGlinchy. 2012. Response Analysis

in Food Security Crises: A “Road Map.” Humanitarian Practice Network Paper # 73.

London: Overseas Development Institute.


Barrett, Christopher, and Mark A. Constas. 2014. "Toward a Theory of Resilience for International

Development Applications ". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Vol. 111

(40), pp. 14625-30.

Daniel Maxwell, Kate Sadler, Amanda Sim, Mercy Mutonyi, Rebecca Egan and Mackinnon

Webster (2008). Emergency Food Security Interventions: A Good Practice Review.

Humanitarian Practice Network, Good Practice Review Number 10. London: HPN.

Ali, Degan, and Kirsten Gelsdorf. 2012. “Risk-Averse to Risk-Willing: Learning from the 2011

Somalia Cash Response.” Global Food Security Vol. 1(1), pp. 57-63. Special Edition on the

Somalia Famine 2011-2012.

Albu, Mike. 2010. Emergency Market Mapping Analysis Toolkit. Bourton: Practical Action.

Jaspars, Susanne and Daniel Maxwell. 2009. “Food security and livelihoods programming in

conflict: a review.” Humanitarian Practice Network Paper Number 65. London: ODI

Harvey, Paul and Jeremy Lind. 2005. Dependency and humanitarian relief: A critical analysis.

HPG Report 19. London. ODI

***

Week 12: The changing nature of crisis and the evolving nature of humanitarian action

(December 4, 2017 – Dan Maxwell)

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1. Note the changing nature of humanitarian crises

2. Describe the changing nature of humanitarianism

3. Discuss the implications for humanitarian action

Assignment:


2. Case Study Group #6 (if needed)



Kent, Randolph, Christina Bennett, Antonio Donini and Daniel Maxwell. 2016. “Planning from the

Future.” Final Report. London/Boston: Kings College, HPG and Feinstein International

Center. (Executive Summary and Chapter 2 and postscript from Istanbul)

Multi-donor Group. 2016. “The Grand Bargain. A Shared Commitment to Serve People in Need.”

Taylor, Glyn, Abby Stoddard, Adele Harmer, Katherine Haver, Paul Harvey. 2015. “The State of

the Humanitarian System.” London: Active Learning Network for Accountability and

Performance in Humanitarian Action.

Jackson, Ashley. 2014. “Humanitarian negotiations with armed non-state actors: key lessons from

Afghanistan, Sudan and Somalia.” HPG Briefing Paper. London: HPG.


Donini, Antonio and Daniel Maxwell (2014). Remote Management of Humanitarian Action..

International Review of the Red Cross.

Donini, Antonio. 2010. “The Far Side: The Meta-Functions of Humanitarianism in a Globalized

World.” Disasters Volume 34 (Supp.) pp. S220–S237.

Olsen, G.R. et al. 2003. “Humanitarian Crises: What Determines the Level of Emergency

Assistance? Media Coverage, Donor Interests and the Aid Business.” Disasters. Vol.27 (2):

109 – 126.

Terry, Fiona. 2002. Condemned to Repeat? The Paradox of Humanitarian Action. Chapter 6,

“Humanitarian Action in a Second-Best World.” Ithaca, Cornell University Press.

Ramalingam, Ben. 2013. Aid on the Edge of Chaos. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Read

Chapter 7, “Introducing Complexity.” (The whole book is highly recommended).

***

Week 13: The South Sudan Case Study

(Week of December 11, 2017– Dan Maxwell and Janet Kim)

Learning objectives:

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Upon completion of this week, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to comprehensively analyze a complex humanitarian emergency and

devise an appropriate policy and programmatic response to it.

2. Work effectively as a member of a team


Prepare team presentation and written report (6-8 pp. max)

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