STUDENT NAME: SIMON NGUNJIRI

STUDENT ADMISSION NUMBER:

ASSIGNMENT: MODULE ONE PRACTICE OF DIPLOMACY IN HUMANITARIAN ACTION

EXERCISE/ACTIVITY/ASSESSMENT

EXERCISE/ACTIVITY/ASSESSMENTS 2024

DATE OF ISSUE: 13th October 2024

FACILITATOR: PROF KEN WANINGU

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1. Define Humanitarian Diplomacy

Humanitarian diplomacy is the use of diplomatic and negotiation processes to settle questions
relating to gain access to humanitarian aid. The negotiations themselves can be carried out
through direct engagement with states, international organizations, humanitarian agencies,
and non-state actors. Family by mainstream diplomacy states, such as access to humanitarian
assistance, protection of affected populations, and delivery mechanisms to ensure safe and
effective assistance. Any humanitarian endeavor aims on the protection of human dignity and
the lessening of human suffering through diplomacy-was thus indicated by Macrae & Harmer
in 2003.

2. What is Humanitarian Diplomacy?

Humanitarian diplomacy is a diplomatic effort to facilitate and ensure that humanitarian

assistance and protection are provided to populations in crises. The principal goal of
humanitarian diplomacy is to advocate protection for the vulnerable, a practical and safe
passage for humanitarian supplies, and respect for international humanitarian law (Nehme,
1999). Humanitarian diplomats seek in principle to preserve humanitarian principles of
neutrality, impartiality, independence, and 'willingness to engage in negotiations to ensure
safe access to the affected area, compliance with IHL, and awareness of human suffering"
(Donini, 1995). Such kind of diplomacy does not engage in any specific way to state actors
or state-to-state relations alone; accordingly, it also includes other instances of engagement
with non-state actors, including armed groups, NGOs, and civil society.

3. What is the Purpose of Humanitarian Diplomacy?

The core objectives of humanitarian diplomacy entail:

i. Embarking towards humanitarian access through safe and unhindered access for
humanitarian aid distribution to affected crisis populations (Terry, 2002).
ii. Ensure protection for human rights: Respect for international human rights standards
and international humanitarian law in conflict and disaster zones (Clarke, 2017).

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 iii. Advocacy for the protection of humanitarian workers: Ensure protection of aid
workers and organizations working in hostile environments through negotiation
(Slim, 2015).
iv. Raising financial resources: Mobilizing international donors and governments to
compel funding for humanitarian operations (Fowler, 2000).
v. Raising international awareness: The gravity of human suffering in crisis areas is
brought to light to mobilize political and public support for humanitarian action
(IASC, 2006).

4. What Objectives Will Humanitarian Diplomacy Accomplish in Practice?

Effective humanitarian diplomacy will be expected to achieve the following:

i. Facilitating aid delivery: To ensure that assistance actually reaches those in need,
particularly in conflicts or in areas under limited access (Barnett, 2011).
ii. Protection of civilians: To protect civilians in conflict areas and to afford such civilians
all the protections of international law (Fisher, 2008).
iii. The neutrality of action: To protect the core humanitarian principles of impartiality and
neutrality to ensure the delivery of aid according to need, without discrimination
(Hilhorst, 2018).
iv. International cooperation: Strengthen partnership among states with international
bodies and non-governmental organizations, thus providing a coordinated humanitarian
response (Donini, 2012).
v. Collection in compliance with international law: Ensure that all sides to a conflict or
crisis comply with international humanitarian law, namely regarding the treatment of
prisoners of war, civilians, and humanitarian staff (Slim, 2015).

5. Name Historical Examples of Humanitarian Diplomacy

Several historical examples demonstrate the importance of humanitarian diplomacy:

Humanitarian diplomacy plays a crucial role in mitigating human suffering and ensuring that
international law and human rights standards are upheld in times of crisis. Over the decades,
numerous historical events have underscored the importance of this diplomatic approach. Here
are several significant examples where humanitarian diplomacy was pivotal:
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 i. The Geneva Conventions (1949)

The core of international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions are perhaps one of
the remarkable legal regimes in the whole international diplomacy. The four treaties,
concluded in 1949 together with their Additional Protocol, set the laws and rules that
assured the protection of civilians, prisoners of war, the wounded, and medical personnel
in times of armed conflict.
Little can be said as to the importance of humanitarian diplomacy when it comes to the
establishment of the Geneva Conventions. The International Committee of the Red Cross
was quite instrumental in pressuring and convening these treaties. By way of diplomatic
negotiations, the ICRC brought countries with often conflicting interests together to agree
on common humanitarian rules for non-combatants and combatants who no longer take
part in hostilities. This was particularly valuable speaking post World War II, where this
had merely brought the brutal treatment of civilians and prisoners of war to the fore.
The Geneva Conventions remain the universal touchstone of humanitarian behavior and
survival of these conventions is crucial for the long-standing motivation of human dignity
in a war setting. (ICRC, 2004)

ii. The Ethiopian Famine (1984-1985)

The famine that hit Ethiopia in the mid-1980s was one of the deadliest humanitarian
emergencies of the 20th century, with an estimated 400,000 lives lost and millions of
others in dire need of basic human assistance. It also brought a relevant epoch in the
annals of international humanitarian diplomacy, whereby all international efforts
coalesced to avert the disaster.
Other factors that contributed to the famine included internal conflicts, government
policies, and two consecutive years of drought. Thus, diplomatic engagements involving
the Ethiopian government, the United Nations, international NGOs, and foreign
governments became important in rescuing food and medical supplies to the affected
regions.
That was where humanitarian diplomacy came for the first time into play, gaining its
significance in negotiating access to humanitarian aid, as the Ethiopian government—a

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 Marxist Derg regime—was generally reluctant to welcome outside assistance, due in part
to fears of intervention in domestic matters. Therefore, political negotiations, through the
mediation of various entrusted organizations such as the UN WFP, facilitated the
establishment of humanitarian corridors by means of which aid could overcome the
barrier of famine-hit areas while disenabling political tensions through the potential
delivery of aid.
Public support fueled by international media coverage, bankers, and celebrities through
projects such as Band Aid and Live Aid added pressure on governments and
humanitarian organizations to respond efficiently. This was a defining moment in the
history of humanitarian diplomacy, emphasizing global awareness and political dialogue
in mobilizing humanitarian disaster response. (Hilhorst, 2018)

iii. The Balkan Conflicts (1990s)

In the 1990s, the conflicts that saw the breakup of Yugoslavia were some of the most
tragic and complex humanitarian disasters since the end of the Cold War. These engaged
even worse atrocities, with ethnic cleansings, mass displacement, and attacks aimed at
civilians. Humanitarian diplomacy, as a result, set out to mediate in the system of the
affected countries and people.
Such diplomatic efforts were imperative in the realization of humanitarian corridors and
negotiation of cease-fires. The most remarkable of diplomatic missions were around the
1992-1995 Siege of Sarajevo, where the frontline deliverance of humanitarian aid to
besieged people was secured due to intense negotiations by the international community,
particularly led by the United Nations and the European Union. The role of humanitarian
organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) coordinated their effort to reach the civilians with
medical supplies, food, and water in the most inaccessible corners, still at times under
threat.
These were short-term interventions, but some diplomatic efforts envisaged longer-term
solutions. An example of this is the Dayton Peace Agreement of 1995 that brought an end
to the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although the focus was on achieving a political

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 settlement, essential principles for protection of civilians and mechanisms for the safe
return of displaced persons were also included.
There, diplomats from the United Nations and European Union were busy pushing for
peace talks, promoting ceasefires, and ensuring civilian rights protection. The
international community also applied pressure on the warring factions to follow
international humanitarian law, but enforcement was rather inconsistent and often put in
jeopardy by the prevailing political realities on the ground. The Balkan conflicts showed
the unbearable and yet complex challenges of humanitarian diplomacy through active
warfare but also illustrated how diplomacy can relieve from suffering and aid in post-war
reconstruction.
( Kaldor, 1999)

6. Name Contemporary Developments and Examples of Humanitarian Diplomacy

Humanitarian diplomacy in some years has been molded to suit the needs of today's realities,
including such protracted conflicts as the global health crisis. Examples of such are:

i. Syrian Civil War (2011-present): Essential for negotiating humanitarian ceasefires,

gaining access to besieged areas and for advocating civilian protection. Examples of such
international actors are the UN and other humanitarian stakeholders in complex
diplomatic efforts to bring aid into this conflict (Al-Mahmoud, 2019).
ii. Rohingya Crisis (2017-present): The diplomatic efforts of international organizations and
governments have thus far resulted in securing much-needed humanitarian assistance for
Rohingya refugees that fled Myanmar but found resistance from the Myanmar
government (Cox's Bazar, 2019).
iii. COVID-19 Pandemic (2020-present): It was the glue that held together and strengthened
global cooperation on vaccine distribution, shortage-reducing medical supplies, and
humanitarian aid getting to some of the most vulnerable populations (World Health
Organization [WHO], 2021).

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7. What is the Legal Context of Humanitarian Diplomacy?

Humanitarian diplomacy is couched in the standards of international humanitarian law (IHL) and
international human rights law (IHRL), which govern what states and non-state actors do vis-a-
vis humans during armed conflict and disaster. The main frameworks include the following:

• Geneva Conventions (1949): A treaty for the legal protection of civilians and
combatants alike during armed conflict, adherence to which humanitarian diplomacy
is to achieve (ICRC, 2004).
• Hague Conventions (1907): Is a treaty governing law of war and the protection of
civilians in time of war (Hague Academy of International Law, 2011).
• UN Security Council Resolutions: These can authorize or demand humanitarian
action, especially in conflict when access to affected populations is a contested issue
(UN Security Council, 2014).

8. What Are Two Modalities of Operation of Humanitarian Diplomacy?

There are many modalities of humanitarian diplomacy, however, the following are two:

1. Bilateral Diplomacy: In this instance, it involves talks or direct involvement between

states or humanitarian organizations and government actors usually negotiating access to
affected areas, protection for aid workers, and advocating for humanitarian needs
(Fowler, 2000).
2. Multilateral Diplomacy: In this, one works through international organizations such as
the UN, where many states and actors coordinate to attend to some global humanitarian
crises. Multilateral diplomacy is essential in large-scale emergencies, as that will ensure a
coordinated response (Slim, 2015).

9. Who Are the Main Actors Involved in Humanitarian Diplomacy (HD)?

The main actors in humanitarian diplomacy include:

i. A national government has structured legal and political environments for humanitarian
action and funding, Clarke (2017) states as follows:

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 ii. International Organizations: According to Al-Mahmoud (2019), the UN and its
specialized agencies such as WHO, UNHCR, WFP, coordinate and deliver humanitarian
aid.
iii. Non-Governmental Organizations. Some of these organizations are hence at the forefront
of humanitarian diplomacy, e.g. the International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies and Medecins Sans Frontieres (Terry 2002).
iv. International Committee of the Red Cross. The ICRC is a distinguished actor in
humanitarian diplomacy, commonly negotiating with governments and armed groups for
the safeguarding of civilians and access to humanitarian benefits (ICRC, 2004).
v. Communities Affected. The help of local populations and community leaders is crucial,
as they may be able to leverage international support for the most urgent needs in
humanitarian assistance (Fowler, 2000).

10. Name Two Limitations in Humanitarian Diplomacy

i. Political Obstacles: Humanitarian diplomacy is frequently thwarted by political agendas

with some states or armed groups using humanitarian aid for leverage or restricting
access for political or military reasons (Barnett, 2011).
ii. Coordination Problems: The presence of many humanitarian actors can promote
competition for resources, non-coordination, and duplications, which decreases aid
efficiency (Clarke, 2017).

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REFERENCES
Al-Mahmoud, R. (2019). Humanitarian diplomacy and its role in conflict zones: A case study of
Syria. International Journal of Humanitarian Affairs, 12(3), 45-59.
Barnett, M. (2011). Humanitarianism and the international humanitarian system. Cambridge
University Press.
Clarke, A. (2017). The politics of humanitarian action: A critique of the international system.
Oxford University Press.
Cox's Bazar. (2019). The Rohingya refugee crisis: Diplomatic efforts and humanitarian
response. Bangladesh Refugee Affairs Journal, 22(1), 14-29.
Donini, A. (2012). The humanitarian system in crisis: The case for a new approach. Journal of
International Development, 24(7), 33-45.
Fisher, A. (2008). Humanitarian diplomacy: A critical review. Global Humanitarian Forum.
Fowler, A. (2000). NGOs and the humanitarian agenda: Bridging the gap between policy and
practice. Journal of Humanitarian Assistance, 3(2), 15-31.
Hilhorst, D. (2018). Humanitarian diplomacy and its contradictions. International Review of the
Red Cross, 100(1), 19-31.
Hague Academy of International Law. (2011). The Hague Conventions and their significance for
humanitarian diplomacy. Hague Journal of International Law, 24(4), 130-145.
ICRC. (2004). Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols. International
Committee of the Red Cross.
Kaldor, M. (1999). New and old wars: Organized violence in a global era. Stanford University
Press.
Macrae, J., & Harmer, A. (2003). Humanitarian action and the politics of humanitarian
diplomacy. Humanitarian Practice Network.
Slim, H. (2015). Humanitarian diplomacy: The work of international agencies. Oxford
University Press.
Terry, F. (2002). The humanitarian enterprise: Dilemmas and discoveries. Kumarian Press.
UN Security Council. (2014). Resolution 2165: Humanitarian access in Syria. United Nations.
WHO. (2021). Global health diplomacy during the COVID-19 pandemic: A humanitarian
perspective. World Health Organization.

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