ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the integration of humanitarian assistance and peacebuilding in conflict and immediate postconflict settings. It begins with a brief overview of international humanitarian action and recent trends in the field. The chapter considers the integration of peace-building into humanitarian programming in both theory and practice. For many relief agencies, participating in stabilization operations challenges the humanitarian principle of neutrality. Conflict sensitivity recognizes the political nature of assistance, and shows "politically informed neutrality", integrates conflict prevention to avoid latent tensions, does no harm, and engages with development and peacebuilding actors. Most individuals and agencies recognize a moral obligation to treat beneficiaries with respect, and to ensure that basic assistance is delivered in a way that recognizes the range of needs and interests of beneficiaries. The focus on legal rights under domestic or international law and judicial accountability represent a targeted end state, where every citizen is protected within the formal system.
