The Politics of Protection: The Limits of Humanitarian Action

For the past decade, humanitarian actors have increasingly sought not only to assist people affected by conflicts and natural disasters, but also to protect them. Protection is a noble word, with positive connotations, but what does it actually mean in practice? Does increased engagement in protection activities by humanitarian agencies jeopardize the cornerstone humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality? In The Politics of Protection, Ferris examines inconsistent ways in which protection is defined and applied. Her case studies, ranging from Iraq to Katrina, illustrate the challenges-and limitations- of protecting vulnerable populations from the ravages of war and natural disasters.