ABSTRACT
Humanitarianism attracts a great deal of critical debate. A considerable conflict of interpretations surrounds its core values, guiding principles and terms of practice. There are many social and political activities connected to humanitarian concerns, but there is no agreement as to when or how they should be labelled as such. Whilst humanitarians tend to be united in a commitment to alleviate human suffering, much disagreement surrounds the level of ambition that should be set for this goal; and much dispute arises in connection with the ways in which they might be best organized to deliver assistance and care to those in need. Under these conditions, any attempt to define the purpose of humanitarianism, or to chart the range and scope of humanitarian action, is set to court controversy.
