ABSTRACT
Management of ethical challenges in humanitarian research, trauma work, disaster response, post-conflict settings, and fieldwork are discussed in relation to the limitations of the existing normative frameworks. Humanitarian research is recognized as a powerful tool for social justice, determination of needs, evaluating the impact of humanitarian assistance, planning and coordinating relief efforts, and the allocation of aid. In trauma work, self-care and self-awareness are regarded as core professional competencies because of the risk of countertransference that erodes professional and personal boundaries and is a main cause of problematic judgments and burnout. The ethical challenges in disaster management relate to the emergency mode of the interventions when a provider carries almost sole responsibility for risk management and harm reduction and must make complex decisions under duress while maintaining the integrity of professional interventions, such as confidentiality. When participating in recovery, peace, or capacity building in a post-conflict setting, GMH providers must be able to justify that interventions are conducted for the sole benefit of the affected region and not to advance political, social, or professional agendas. The ethical challenges in fieldwork revolve around professional and moral dilemmas with few good solutions that arise when multidisciplinary actors strive to meet complex needs of the beneficiaries.
