Blinded by Humanity: Inside the UN's Humanitarian Operations - Hardcover
How to respond effectively to humanitarian crises is one of the most pressing and seemingly intractable problems facing the United Nations. Martin Barber, for many years a senior UN official and with decades of humanitarian experience, here argues that the explanation for UN""'failures"" or only partial successes lies not with any lack of idealism or good intentions but with the constraints placed on aid workers by ill-considered policies and poor practical application – officials are ""blinded by humanity.""
Barber presents an inside story based on personal/hands-on/practical experience in Laos, Thailand, Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina and, finally, in Abu Dhabi where he advised the UAE government on its aid programme. He tells of internal struggles at head office and the challenges of working in the field. All the major UN activities – and headaches – are here, including refugee work, coordinating humanitarian aid, peacekeeping, the huge problem of ""de-mining,"" and the complex internal workings of the UN Secretariat.
A personal narrative and lessons drawn from direct experience provide the frame for an examination of major questions concerning the future of humanitarian response - how effectively have international institutions discharged their responsibilities towards people affected by conflict? Specifically, how did the UN perform? And how might the UN better help such people in the 21st century? Barber analyses recent policy developments intended to improve the quality and effectiveness of the UN's work in humanitarian fields, and assesses the extent to which recent reforms are likely to make the UN a more effective partner for countries emerging from conflict. In the final chapter he highlights seven 'blind spots' whose significance has been consistently ignored or overlooked, and in each case suggests a radical new approach.
Based on decades of personal experience and 'insider access', this will be essential reading for students of international relations and politics as well as for all those directly or indirectly involved with humanitarian issues.
Barber presents an inside story based on personal/hands-on/practical experience in Laos, Thailand, Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina and, finally, in Abu Dhabi where he advised the UAE government on its aid programme. He tells of internal struggles at head office and the challenges of working in the field. All the major UN activities – and headaches – are here, including refugee work, coordinating humanitarian aid, peacekeeping, the huge problem of ""de-mining,"" and the complex internal workings of the UN Secretariat.
A personal narrative and lessons drawn from direct experience provide the frame for an examination of major questions concerning the future of humanitarian response - how effectively have international institutions discharged their responsibilities towards people affected by conflict? Specifically, how did the UN perform? And how might the UN better help such people in the 21st century? Barber analyses recent policy developments intended to improve the quality and effectiveness of the UN's work in humanitarian fields, and assesses the extent to which recent reforms are likely to make the UN a more effective partner for countries emerging from conflict. In the final chapter he highlights seven 'blind spots' whose significance has been consistently ignored or overlooked, and in each case suggests a radical new approach.
Based on decades of personal experience and 'insider access', this will be essential reading for students of international relations and politics as well as for all those directly or indirectly involved with humanitarian issues.
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About the Author:
Martin Barber was a senior UN official and has extensive experience in humanitarian affairs and peace operations – both at UN Headquarters and in the field. He served as Director of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) at UN Headquarters in New York from 2000 until his retirement from the UN in 2005. Previously, he was Chief of Policy Development and Advocacy in the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). From 1996 to 1998, Dr Barber was Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the UN Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH), Sarajevo. From 1989 to 1996, he worked with the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan (UNOCHA) in Islamabad, Pakistan, serving as UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan in 1995-96. From 1975 to 1982 he served with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Laos and Thailand. Between 1982 and 1989, he was Director of the British Refugee Council, London. From 2010 to 2013, Barber served as Senior Adviser in the Office for the Coordination of Foreign Aid in the Government of the United Arab Emirates. He is now a consultant and analyst working on humanitarian issues. He holds a doctorate in South-East Asian Sociology from the University of Hull and is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Edinburgh. In 2006, he was made an OBE for services to de-mining.
Review:
""Every humanitarian, and new recruit to the UN, would benefit from reading (this book)."" – Lord Malloch-Brown
""Sometimes understanding humanitarian work and the workings of the UN seems insurmountably complex. Martin Barber's book is an essential tool to break through the complexities and understand various aspects of humanitarian assistance and the UN."" – Jody Williams
""Humanitarian efforts are either too often dominated by academics with no practical experience or practitioners unguided by research. Martin Barber has managed to combine the two in this valuable merger of real life experience and knowledge.""-Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council
""A fascinating read that will be of great interest to all those concerned with how the UN and the UN system actually works."" – Mats Berdal, Professor of Security and Development, King's College London
""Blinded by Humanity is an engaging examination of the UN's efforts to accomplish its humanitarian aims and political goals, which at times may seem at cross purposes. Martin Barber's wide experience and frank analysis will interest UN watchers and humanitarian activists alike because it provides valuable insights on how to make the UN a more effective instrument for peace, security and human rights."" – Kofi Annan
""Sometimes understanding humanitarian work and the workings of the UN seems insurmountably complex. Martin Barber's book is an essential tool to break through the complexities and understand various aspects of humanitarian assistance and the UN."" – Jody Williams
""Humanitarian efforts are either too often dominated by academics with no practical experience or practitioners unguided by research. Martin Barber has managed to combine the two in this valuable merger of real life experience and knowledge.""-Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council
""A fascinating read that will be of great interest to all those concerned with how the UN and the UN system actually works."" – Mats Berdal, Professor of Security and Development, King's College London
""Blinded by Humanity is an engaging examination of the UN's efforts to accomplish its humanitarian aims and political goals, which at times may seem at cross purposes. Martin Barber's wide experience and frank analysis will interest UN watchers and humanitarian activists alike because it provides valuable insights on how to make the UN a more effective instrument for peace, security and human rights."" – Kofi Annan
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherI.B.Tauris
- Publication date2014
- ISBN 10 1784530670
- ISBN 13 9781784530679
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages272
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