Depoliticizing humanitarian aid

A danger in certain parts of the world is that humanitarian action is associated there with the West and is perceived as a vehicle for the spread of Western values. This misconception means that humanitarian in such places is accepted only with great reluctance, when not opposed completely.

Donor governments should not hamper the independence of the humanitarian organizations they finance. To put it more simply, humanitarian action must not become an instrument of foreign policy. Politicization of humanitarian action strengthens the perception of certain warring parties that humanitarian work is used not only as a vehicle to propagate the values of the donor countries, but also as a form of political interference. This negative image definitely represents a security threat for humanitarian personnel in the field.