The Politics of Humanity: The Reality of Relief Aid

John Holmes was the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs from 2007 until 2010. His work took him to some of the most troubled areas of the world: to Sri Lanka, Darfur, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, among other places, and exposed him to the harsh realities of humanitarian aid. Clear-eyed about the realities of development aid, Holmes realised early on that his role was to be a voice to the voiceless. This book exposes how difficult this job is, as well as analysing and exploring in great depth the wider policy questions of the role.