humanitarian assistance

Rohingya refugees, without wearing any mask or any other safty gear as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, wait in a relief distribution point at Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhia March 24, 2020.

COVID-19 and Humanitarian Access for Refugees and IDPs: Part 2 – Syria and Bangladesh

The coronavirus crisis should not function as a cover for repressive action under the guise of protecting health, especially in already vulnerable populations.

Apr. 9, 2020 Rebecca Blumenthal and Catriona Murdoch

Kitchen staff prepare food while wearing protective clothing at a restaurant in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on March 24, 2020 amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

COVID-19 and Humanitarian Access in Starvation-Affected Countries: Part 1 – Yemen

The blanket denial of appropriate humanitarian aid distribution and personnel access by parties to the ongoing conflict in Yemen, citing the COVID-19 pandemic, could exacerbate…

Mar. 26, 2020 Catriona Murdoch and Niriksha Sanghvi

An Afghan policeman with a large gun and without a face mask gestures as volunteers wearing hazmat suits and facemasks gather outdoors before the start of a preventive campaign against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Kabul on March 18, 2020.

COVID-19 and Violent Conflict: Responding to Predictable Unpredictability

Eleven baseline understandings are likely to be key in designing the most effective responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in impoverished, conflict-affected regions.

Mar. 24, 2020 Christine Bell

A wide view of the Security Council as Ghassan Salamé (on screen), Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), briefs the Council meeting on the situation in Libya. 30 January 2020

National Security at the United Nations This Past Week

Editor’s Note: This is the latest in Just Security’s weekly series keeping readers up to date on developments at the United Nations at the intersection of national security,…

Feb. 7, 2020 Randi Michel

Flooding at a camp for internally displaced persons in Madinatu, Old Maiduguri. Women walk along the edges of the tents in attempt to avoid the flooded areas.

U.S. Counterterrorism Rule Hampers Vital Humanitarian Aid in Nigeria

The requirement significantly complicates the situation for aid workers in northeastern Nigeria, one of the world’s gravest humanitarian crises.

Jan. 23, 2020 Isabelle Glimcher

The new U.S. Ambassador to the United Nation (UN), Kelly Craft, takes up the United State's seat at the Security Council at UN headquarters on September 12, 2019 in New York City.

National Security at the United Nations This Week

New U.S. Ambassador Kelly Craft taking her UN seat, Russia’s use of force, Israel’s annexation plans, hope for U.S. talks with Iran, U.K. austerity, and more. The latest in…

Sep. 13, 2019 Sahrula Kubie

Yemeni fighters loyal to the country's exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi ride a tank past a destroyed building during clashes with Shiite Huthi rebels in the country's third-city of Taez on May 30, 2019.

The UN Yemen Report and Siege Warfare

Following the UN Human Rights Council report on Yemen, experts provide detailed analysis of how international humanitarian law rules on starvation, proportionality, and precautions…

Sep. 12, 2019 Michael Schmitt, Sqn. Ldr. Kieran Tinkler and 1 more

11-year-old Ehsanullah is standing in a classroom which was totally destroyed in the conflict in 2007. Some classrooms are not usable, this one, though damaged, still hosting many students. But now full of water due to heavy rain and flood last night, students had to vacate the class and use another classroom today. Kandahar Province, southern Afghanistan – 16 April 2019

When War Comes to School

Editor’s Note: Displayed throughout this piece, photos by UNICEF-commissioned photographer Marko Kokic tell the personal stories of children whose schools have been attacked…

May 29, 2019 Nathalie Weizmann and Photos by Marko Kokic for UNICEF

Displaced Syrians, who fled their homes in Deir Ezzor city, carry boxes of humanitarian aid supplied by United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) at a refugee camp in Syrias northeastern Hassakeh province on February 26, 2018.

Correcting Course: Avoiding the Collision Between Humanitarian Action and Counterterrorism

"When the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2462(2019), aimed at combating the financing of terrorism, it included language meant to protect humanitarian action.…

May 23, 2019 Scott Paul and Kathryn Achilles

Painting Within the Lines: The UN’s Newest Resolution Criminalizing Financing for Terrorists—Without Imperiling Humanitarian Activities

On Thursday, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2462 in an effort to counter the financing of terrorism while avoiding unintended consequences for humanitarian…

Mar. 29, 2019 Nathalie Weizmann

Can Humanitarian Assistance Be an Obstacle to Peace? The Example of South Sudan

When President Donald Trump took office, there was considerable uncertainty as to how his administration would address the ongoing crisis in South Sudan, a complex foreign policy…

May 29, 2018 John Hursh

A displaced family sits under a makeshift shelter after newly arriving at a camp for internally displaced people on October 29, 2017 in Ain Issa, Syria. Other makeshift shelters are seen closeby.

Not So Fast: US Syria Pullout Plan Must Address Key Humanitarian Issues

Following US policy on Syria this past month has been a challenging exercise. In early April, the White House said the US military’s mission in Syria “to eradicate ISIS ……

Apr. 23, 2018 Nadim Houry