​Many of today’s humanitarian crises are marked by conflict. Violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) are at the root of suffering in armed conflicts.

This paper critically examines at a range of issues at play in armed conflicts, beginning with a look at the legal framework on armed conflict. It then explores how issues such as politicisation of aid, counter-terrorism measures, inadequate resources or skills to negotiate with armed groups affect humanitarian access to people in need.

It also seeks to highlight lessons for the wider humanitarian sector that can be drawn from the work of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and offers recommendations for the World Humanitarian Summit.

Eva Svoboda