Antonio Donini is Visiting Senior Fellow at the Watson Institute for International Studies. From 1999 to the summer of 2002 he was the director of United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan and Deputy UN Humanitarian Coordinator.
"This book is a result of many years of careful and empirical study
of humanitarian programming by Tufts University s Feinstein
International Center a team that has made a very significant impact
on humanitarian learning. Antonio Donini and his colleagues have
done great service by analysing the dynamics of aid manipulation
and this book is obligatory reading for all in security and
humanitarian studies. But, having read it, please do not put it
down and think that aid does more harm than good. The book does not
set out to make this calculation, and it should never be assumed.
Humanitarian action is a precious and growing part of globalization
that needs to be respected and improved, and manipulated as little
as possible. The work of neutral, contested and coopted agencies
alike saves lives in the real world. A more principled approach can
make this saving fairer."
"As the humanitarian enterprise heads towards an increasingly
uncertain future, it is imperative that all those involved at a
policy and practical level better understand and learn from its
highly chequered past. This sweeping volume applies the insights
and experiences of veteran insiders of the aid industry to several
historical and contemporary crises, and provides a sobering
reminder that few of the challenges faced by aid agencies today are
completely without precedent. The case studies show that these
challenges are nevertheless magnified by the size and behavior of
the industry itself, which must change if we are to avoid repeating
shameful operations like that in response to the Haiti earthquake,
so well described in this volume. It is only when we acknowledge
and understand how humanitarian action is manipulated and
instrumentalized at all levels of the system, including aid
organizations themselves, that we can hope to minimize the harm
caused to those who we profess to assist."
"By positioning today's humanitarianism in a remarkably
comprehensive historical sweep and broad range of contexts, the
authors push us to come to terms with many old, and some quite new,
challenges to humanitarian principles. The depth of experience
included here makes this a must read for newcomers-and for old
hands-in the field."
"Since the end of the Cold War international humanitarian
assistance has massively increased. Does this herald a more humane
and caring world? Or, alternatively, a world in which the will to
help is subordinate to political calculation and Western moral
superiority? Can humanitarianism exist outside such contingencies?
"The Golden Fleece" directly interrogates these most pressing
issues. With contributions from leading scholars and practitioners,
this historically informed collection represents an outstanding
contribution to the debate. It is essential reading for the
specialist, student and general reader seeking a sure gateway into
the current humanitarian field."
"The book is an excellent resource on contemporary humanitarian
debates and particularly useful as a teaching and learning resource
in universities."
"The main thesis of the Golden Fleece focuses on the balance
between humanitarian values (life-saving) and political-economic
agendas and points out that achieving this balance has been an
ongoing challenge in humanitarian aid since its beginnings. The key
to ensuring that continuing challenges are met and successes
continue requires a clear understanding that humanitarian aid does
not have an endpoint but is a constantly unfolding process in which
milestones mark the path paved by lessons learned."
"The Golden Fleece is a timely reminder of how the basic human
rights and severe needs of victims of conflict and other crisis are
being overshadowed by politicization of aid and manipulation of
humanitarian values and interventions. In Afghanistan compassion,
coupled with local coping mechanisms, played vital roles in
enabling Afghan women and children in particular to survive bitter
years of war and civil strife. This book is well worth reading to
educate ourselves about the challenges that confront effective
humanitarian interventions in violent and challenging
environments."Dr. Sima Samar, Chair, Afghanistan Independent Human
Rights Commission."
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