Blurred Lines: Humanitarian Action and Rule of Law

Global Affairs Live

International humanitarian disasters have become a grim reality that frequents our newsfeeds. To address the numerous challenges and extensive needs for post-disaster recovery, major donor countries have spent decades developing and perfecting the legal framework around assistance delivery. Despite those efforts, regulatory barriers remain under significant stress as the nature and evolution of humanitarian disasters grow more complex. How can international organizations and individual governments ensure that policy challenges do not limit their ability to assist populations in need? What are effective ways to engage relevant stakeholders in crafting comprehensive, effective, and clear legislature that enables adequate humanitarian action and sensible human rights protections while respecting boundaries proscribed by law?