Publication

This paper suggests that a "political economy" approach to war – one which focuses on how the distribution of wealth and power is affected during conflict – has far reaching implications for relief work. The paper proposes that by understanding the political economy of war, relief agencies can better assess the forms of economic violence which threaten livelihoods during wars. According to the authors, analyzing the context and implications of relief work is crucial to minimizing its negative impact – given that belligerents and foreign states may seek to manipulate a humanitarian presence and misdirect the resources provided by relief.