ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the barriers to cooperative and consistent humanitarian relief and protection. The interests of a humanitarian actor are what motivates it to respond to a plea for help. What an actor states publicly to be its motivation for responding may not be the primary explanation for its participation. Participation in military intervention for humanitarian reasons satisfies a field experience requirement for promotion. The political-actors, anxious to secure a peace agreement, required the cooperation of the Liberian central authorities. intergovernmental organizations benefit states by serving as a forum for state-to-state dialogue, by reducing the cost of information gathering, and by setting forth guidelines for reciprocal state behavior. Although government resources also include diplomacy and the provision of troops, food, equipment, supplies, or technical expertise, the primary channel for humanitarian assistance is bilateral aid. The organizational structure of nongovernmental organizations often affords them the ability to mobilize quickly and to be flexible in field operations as conflicts evolve.
