Humanitarian Assistance: Trends and Funding

The UK government just issued a government response to the International Development Committee's report on "Humanitarian Response to Natural Disasters," which came out in Oct. 2006. The initial report provided a review of both the national and international response to humanitarian emergencies and disasters in 2005.

A Congressional Research Service report on "International Crises and Disasters: U.S. Humanitarian Assistance, Budget Trends, and Issues for Congress" was also recently released.

A European Union counterpart that describes humanitarian action, programs and funding is the Annual Report on humanitarian aid (latest April 2006).

A more comprehensive look at trends in humanitarian assistance is provided in the annual "Global Humanitarian Assistance 2006" (Nov. 2006), compiled by Development Initiatives.

For a purely financial overview of requirements, contributions, and what is still needed, see OCHA's Summary of Requirements and Pledges/Contributions by affected country/region.

Posted in Publications.

Policy/Research Papers: FMSP, Oxfam, UNHCR

(updated August 2007)

Developing history curricula to support multi-ethnic civil society among Burmese refugees and migrants, by R. Metro, New Issues in Refugee Resarch no. 139 (UNHCR, Dec. 2006) [text]

Le droit d'asile en France: politique et réalité, by E. Bousquet, New Issues in Refugee Resarch no. 138 (UNHCR, Dec. 2006) [text]

Oxfam International Humanitarian Policy Notes (June 2007) [access]
- These notes "describe Oxfam International's experience and position on the key issues facing humanitarian action in the twenty-first century." The themes of the first six are: humanitarian accountability, humanitarian coordination, food aid, UN Peacebuilding Commission, International Criminal Court, EU role in civilian protection.

Trans/National Topologies: Power Gradients of Multiculturalisms, Migration Methods and Field Notes #1, by E. Burman et al. (FMSP, Jan. 2007) [text]
- Draws on research involving women asylum-seekers.

Posted in Publications.

New Pubs.: Food Aid, Human Trafficking, Humanitarian Action, Measuring Impact

ALNAP Review of Humanitarian Action: Evaluation utilisation (Dec. 2006) [access]
- Review of humanitarian assistance in 2005.

Impact Measurement and Accountability in Emergencies: The Good Enough Guide (Oxfam, Feb. 2007) [access]
- Pocket guide designed to help practitioners determine what difference they are making. Prior to accessing the PDF version, you will be asked to complete a brief survey.

International Crises and Disasters: U.S. Humanitarian Assistance, Budget Trends, and Issues for Congress, CRS Report for Congress (Dec. 2006) [text]

The State of Food and Agriculture 2006 (FAO, Jan. 2007) [press release] [text]
- Theme is "Food Aid for Food Security?".

Trafficking in Persons Interim Assessment (U.S. Dept. of State, Jan. 2007) [text]

Posted in Publications.

Archived Journals: Hum. Aff. Rev., JHA

Visitors to the Journal of Humanitarian Assistance will find a note indicating that "management of the JHA has been handed to the Feinstein International Center" at Tufts University. A redesigned site will become available this month (January).

In the meantime, if you need to retrieve an older article from the JHA, you can do so using the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine. This project regularly harvests and stores web sites. It's not perfect; for example, the JHA archive only has articles up to Feb. 2005 . But often, it's the only means of retrieving "older" or "lost" web-based information.

Another "lost" humanitarian journal is the Humanitarian Affairs Review. In this case, I believe the Internet Archive provides access to all past issues: Spring 2001 to Autumn 2004.

There are plenty of forced migration- and humanitarian-related resources that have come and gone, and not just journals. Try entering a former web address into the Wayback Machine and see what it comes up with.

Posted in Periodicals.

Publications Round-Up: Forced Evictions/Angola, Forced Migration/Africa, Human Security, Poverty & Conflict, Reconstruction

References to the following recently released publications were noted in various current awareness services, including Amnesty International USA's RSS feed, the Ginn Weblog, If You Only Read One Thing This Week... blog, ReliefWeb's document library, and the Scout Report.

Angola - Lives in ruins: forced evictions continue (Amnesty International, Jan. 2007) [text]

Forced Migration and the Failure of Civilian Protection in Africa: A Way Forward? (KAIPTC, Dec. 2006) [text]

Human Security Brief 2006 (Human Security Centre, Dec. 2006) [access]
- Updates data provided in the 2005 Human Security Report and discusses two new conflict datasets.

Poverty and Civil War: What Policymakers Need to Know (Brookings, Dec. 2006) [text]

Reconstruction National Integrity System Surveys (TIRI, Jan. 2007) [access]
- These country reports were undertaken to evaluate the impact of post-conflict reconstruction assistance. The surveys were conducted in Afghanistan, Bosnia Herzegovina, Kosovo, Mozambique, Palestine, Sierra Leone and Lebanon.

What Really Works in Preventing and Rebuilding Failed States (Wilson International Center) [access]
- New occasional paper series.

Posted in Publications.

New Periodical Issues: Human Rights, Human Security, Humanitarian Developments, Refugees/Africa

Africa Newsletter, no. 4 (Dec. 2006) [text]
- Regional update from UNHCR.

Human Rights Brief, vol. 14, no. 1 (Winter 2006) [text]
- Includes an article on internal displacement laws and policies and the persecution of homosexuals in Egypt.

Human Security News Weekly [access]
- News service that "highlights ten of the most significant news stories of the week." Note in the current issue, no. 42, the reference to MSF's "Top Ten Most Underreported Humanitarian Stories of 2006."

Humanitarian Exchange, no. 36 (Dec. 2006) [text]
- Focus is on IDPs in Northern Uganda.

Humanitarian Reform Newsletter (Oct.-Dec. 2006) [text]
- Provides an update on developments relating to the cluster approach.

Posted in Periodicals.

New Periodical Issues: Human Rights, Human Security, Humanitarian Developments, Refugees/Africa

Africa Newsletter, no. 4 (Dec. 2006) [text]
- Regional update from UNHCR.

Human Rights Brief, vol. 14, no. 1 (Winter 2006) [text]
- Includes an article on internal displacement laws and policies and the persecution of homosexuals in Egypt.

Human Security News Weekly [access]
- News service that "highlights ten of the most significant news stories of the week." Note in the current issue, no. 42, the reference to MSF's "Top Ten Most Underreported Humanitarian Stories of 2006."

Humanitarian Exchange, no. 36 (Dec. 2006) [text]
- Focus is on IDPs in Northern Uganda.

Humanitarian Reform Newsletter (Oct.-Dec. 2006) [text]
- Provides an update on developments relating to the cluster approach.

Posted in Periodicals.

Iraqi Refugees

The recently issued Human Rights Watch World Report 2007 notes in its Jordan country report that "Jordan hosts at least 500,000 Iraqi refugees... . ...The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Jordan only exceptionally recognizes Iraqis as refugees, instead providing applicants with asylum seeker cards. Jordan does not always respect asylum seeker status and the protection it entails against deportation." Syria hosts another 450,000 Iraqis.

A more detailed background report into the treatment of Iraqi refugees in Jordan, UNHCR policy towards them, and international response to their situation is provided in this November 2006 Human Rights Watch report: "'The Silent Treatment': Fleeing Iraq, Surviving in Jordan."

Refugees International undertook a November 2006 mission to Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, the three principal host countries for Iraqi refugees. They note that Iraqi displacement is the "fastest growing refugee crisis." Read more RI reports and policy recommendations.

See also UNHCR Guidelines Relating to the Eligibility of Iraqi Asylum-Seekers (Oct. 2005) and the more recent Return Advisory and Position on International Protection Needs of Iraqis Outside Iraq (Dec. 2006).

Two recent National Public Radio audiocasts report on the situation of Iraqis in Jordan and the U.S. State Department's refugee resettlement plans for Iraqis. For more information on U.S. policy towards Iraqi refugees, read an earlier NPR interview with the head of the U.S. Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, Ellen Sauerbrey; a Boston Globe article; and a San Francisco Chronicle report.

Posted in Publications.

Human Rights Watch World Report 2007

Human Rights Watch launched its World Report for 2007 today to mark the five-year anniversary of Guantanamo Bay's use as a U.S. detention facility for terror suspects. The introduction calls on the EU to fill the human rights leadership void. Three essays discuss migrant workers' rights, freedom of expression since 9/11, and a human rights agenda for the new UN Secretary-General. Readers can access reports on human rights developments in 75 individual countries using the regional menus.

Previous World Reports are available via the Publications page (right side).

Posted in Publications.

Input Requested for Guide on Use of Timber in Humanitarian Relief

OCHA initiated a humanitarian timber in December 2006. The aim is to produce a field handbook entitled "Timber: a guide to the use and logistics of timber and wood in humanitarian relief." The guide will collate best practice, and is based on the Norwegian Refugee Council's "Internal Guideline - Timber Procurement and Specifications."

The project's managers announced today they are seeking "information from individuals and agencies interested in the use of timber in humanitarian emergencies on the following":

- Samples of logistics forms or in-house guidance used for grading
specifications / procurement / treatment
- Suggestions for references for reduced timber construction techniques / alternatives to timber use
- Inputs on how to decide when to use timber over other building materials
- Comments on the above proposed structure of the first draft.

More information about the project is available at the Humanitarian Timber web site along with links to timber resources.

Posted in Events/Opportunities.

MISP for Reproductive Health: A Distance Learning Module

Thanks to Sarah Chynoweth at the Women's Commission for letting me know about the availability of this module:

"The Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children is pleased to announce the publication of the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Reproductive Health: A Distance Learning Module. The Module was developed to meet the need for increased awareness and knowledge about the priority reproductive health services of the MISP among donors, policy makers and actors working in complex humanitarian emergencies. When implemented in the early days of an emergency, the MISP saves lives and prevents illness, especially among women and girls.

The Module includes chapter quizzes and a post-test; individuals can complete the post-test online at www.rhrc.org/MISP or www.womenscommission.org. A passing score on the post-test will result in certification and qualifies as 3.5 continuing education credits for U.S. nurses. The Module is currently available in English and French."

Posted in Events/Opportunities.

Research/Policy Papers: Darfur, Human Trafficking, Security, Separated Children, Urban Refugees

Asylum and Security Briefing, by S. Wainwright and K. Ward (ICAR, updated Dec. 2006) [text]

Darfur: Threats to Humanitarian Aid (Amnesty International USA, Dec. 2006) [text]

Making Separated Children Visible: The Need for a Child-Centred Approach, by N. Mooten (Irish Refugee Council, Dec. 2006) [text]

The New Global Slave Trade, Foreign Affairs, by E.B. Kapstein (Council on Foreign Relations, Nov./Dec. 2006) [preview]

Peace by Piece: Addressing Sudan’s Conflicts, Accord 18, ed. by M. Simmons and P. Dixon (Conciliation Resources, Dec. 2006) [text]

Protection as Capability Expansion: Practical Ethics for Assisting Urban Refugees, Working Paper, no. 29, by L. Landau (Forced Migration Studies Programme, Dec. 2006) [text]

Posted in Publications.

New FMSP Research Paper Series

The Forced Migration Studies Programme (FMSP) at Wits University has launched a new research paper series: "Migration Methods and Field Notes." The emphasis will be on the methodological aspects of refugee and migration research and the challenges of studying mobile populations. To learn more about the series and how to submit a paper, read the CFP.

The FMSP already publishes a "Migration Studies" working paper series. The texts of individual papers are available here.

To read other forced migration-related research papers, check out these series:

New Issues in Refugee Research [access]
-UNHCR's Policy Development and Evaluation Service (PDES) accepts submissions to this series.

Refugee Law Project Working Papers [access]
- The RLP is based at Makerere University in Uganda.

Refugee Studies Centre Working Papers [access]
- The RSC is based at Oxford University in the UK.

Rosemarie Rogers Working Paper Series [access]
- Published by the Inter-University Committee on International Migration.

Posted in Events/Opportunities and Publications.

New Periodical Issues: AWR, ERS, GIJL, H&M, ICRC Rev., JIRS, NICS

AWR Bulletin, vol. 44, no. 3 (2006) [contents]
- Scroll down to view contents. Includes several articles on EU migration.

Ethnic and Racial Studies, vol. 30, no. 1 (Jan. 2007) [contents]

Georgetown Immigration Law Journal, vol. 20, no. 4 (Summer 2006) [contents]
- Includes article by T. Inlender, "The Imperfect Legacy of Gomez v. INS: Using Social Perceptions to Adjudicate Social Group Claims."

Hommes & Migrations, no. 1263 (sept./oct. 2006) [contents]
- Theme is "immigration et marché du travail."

International Review of the Red Cross, no. 862 (2006) [full-text]
- Theme is "truth and reconciliation commissions." As of issue no. 861, Cambridge University Press began publication of this title.

Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies, vol. 5, no. 1 (prepublication, Jan. 2007) [contents]
- Includes an article on Roma refugees in Canada, by C. Walsh and B. Krieg.

Nutrition Information in Crisis Situations, vol. 11 (Nov. 2006) [full-text]

Posted in Periodicals.

Refugee Law Conference Papers

Papers from two recently held refugee law conferences have been posted. The first set is from the 7th International Association of Refugee Law Judges World Conference, held in Mexico City, 6-9 November 2006. Papers are available from the group's working parties: Asylum Procedures, Country of Origin Information and Country Guidance, Convention Refugee Status and Subsidiary Protection, Expert Evidence, Human Rights Nexus, Membership in a Particular Social Group, and Vulnerable Categories.

The second set was generated by the International Conference on Refugees and International Law: The Challenge of Protection, held in Oxford, 15-16 December 2006. Sponsored by the Refugee Studies Centre (RSC), the meeting aimed to serve as "a forum to identify and address challenges to refugee protection from the perspective of the individual as a subject of rights in international law." More information about the issues addressed is available in the programme. Abstracts and selected full-text papers are available here.

Posted in Publications.

New Pubs: Darfur, Education, IDPs/Kenya, Malnutrition, Sri Lankans, Voluntary Return, Women

Acute Malnutrition: A Highly Prevalent, Frequently Fatal, Imminently Treatable, Neglected Disease (MFS, Dec. 2006) [text]

Coping with Return: Methodology development and exchange of best practices on voluntary return assistance in the enlarged European Union with particular emphasis on vulnerable asylum seekers (IOM, Nov. 2006) [text]

Education in Darfur: A Critical Component of Humanitarian Response (Women's Commission, Dec. 2006) [text]

‘I am a Refugee in My Own Country’: Conflict-Induced Internal Displacement in Kenya (IDMC, Dec. 2006) [text]

A Last Resort? Women Asylum Seekers and the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women (RWRP, Dec. 2006) [summary]
- For full report, go to the "publications list," select title, and complete brief survey.

The Meaning and Measurement of Acute Malnutrition in Emergencies: A Primer for Decision-makers (ODI HPN, Nov. 2006) [text]

The "Protection Crisis": A Review of Field-Based Strategies for Humanitarian Protection in Darfur (ODI HPG, Dec. 2006) [text]

Sudan, Chad, and the Central African Republic (Council on Foreign Relations, Jan. 2007) [text]

UNHCR Position on the International Protection Needs of Asylum-Seekers from Sri Lanka (Dec. 2006) [text]

Posted in Publications.