Over the past decade, much emphasis has been placed on enhancing the ‘coherence’ between humanitarian and political responses to conflict-related crises. Ensuring that humanitarian action is placed within a wider framework of diplomatic and military action is seen by many to be vital if it is to contribute to peace-building and to avoid doing more harm than good. However, this integration of humanitarian action within a broader security agenda remains controversial.

This seminar aimed to review the implications of an integrated approach to humanitarian action, drawing in particular on case studies undertaken by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue of the UN’s experience of integrating humanitarian, political and military responses to crises in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone.