The dilemmas of new humanitarianism : NGO responses to the separatist conflict and the Indian Ocean tsunami between 1998 and 2008 in Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract

This thesis is about the theory and practice of 'new humanitarianism' in the context of converging disasters in Aceh, Indonesia. The main question of this thesis is: what is the relationship between humanitarian assistance and human rights in practice? In order to answer this question, the study examines the challenges local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) faced as they engaged in human rights and humanitarian work during both the conflict (1998-2004) and post-tsunami (2004-2008) periods. It investigates the tensions inherent in the 'new humanitarian' approach of combining 'traditional' humanitarian assistance, such as the provision of food, shelter and medical care, with more political, human rights-oriented activities including advocacy, protection and conflict transformation. Discussing the relationship between humanitarian assistance and human rights, the study stresses the fundamental, practical dimensions of new humanitarianism rather than theoretical concerns. It finds that juxtaposing humanitarian principles with human rights and political activities treats humanitarianism as consisting of extremes only. The key to new humanitarianism in practice might not lie in fundamental revisiting of first principles. Rather, the study argues for a 'grounded humanitarianism' approach to the field of humanitarian studies that considers the day-to-day realities and challenges faced in humanitarian action. Grounded humanitarianism should not be limited to the study of international humanitarian actors alone. The findings illustrate that local NGO approaches, while deeply embedded in local political contexts and struggles, were not dissimilar to those that international 'new humanitarian' NGOs espoused. Both groups regularly weighed up the costs and benefits of any particular action. Conventional approaches to the study of humanitarian action tend to overlook the vital role that local humanitarian actors play. Yet locals are always the first to respond to disasters and have a lasting stake in ensuring a beneficial outcome for their community. Local groups in Aceh provided many examples of strategies in combining advocacy, protection and conflict transformation activities alongside humanitarian assistance, often at great personal risk. For theorists of humanitarian action, bringing local actors into the picture allows us to appreciate a more complete, nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities for humanitarian assistance. New humanitarians need to be modest in their goals, rather than believing that humanitarianism has the power to transform political structures. The form that humanitarian action will take in any crisis will depend on a range of features, including domestic politics, funding exigencies, the presence of 'competing disasters', and organisational culture. Ultimately, greater consideration should be given to the day-to-day realities that contribute to, or deduct from, new humanitarian approaches. -- provided by Candidate.