ABSTRACT
In the post-Cold War era, humanitarians have increasingly debated the role of traditional principles such as ‘humanity’, ‘impartiality’, and ‘neutrality’ in humanitarian aid. Questions have focused on how to relate these principles to more recent concerns such as right-based approaches to international aid and peacebuilding. In response to them, humanitarian organizations have made substantial revisions to organizational mandates that promoted ideas of sustainable approaches to humanitarian aid. They have also taken into account relevant political, social, and cultural contexts, and assumed responsibility for the long-term impacts of humanitarian actions. This shift in emphasis has resulted in a need to engage with political actors; it has also cemented the strong position of advocacy and international humanitarian law (IHL) in humanitarian work in conflict areas.
