The Dynamics of Humanitarian Diplomacy During Wartime

Insights from Tigray Crisis in Ethiopia

Bibliographic Data

ID5935252
AuthorsMulubrhan Atsbaha Geremedhn (Adigrat University), Hafte Gebreselassie Gebrihet (0000-0002-3436-641X, Adigrat University, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume13
Issue11
Pages626
Publication date2024-11-20
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2076-0760 • E-ISSN: 2076-0760
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/socsci13110626
OpenAlexW4404539178
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited8

This study examines the role of humanitarian diplomacy during the Tigray humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia, a humanitarian disaster marked by severe shortages in food, healthcare, and essential services that deeply affect civilians. A qualitative approach using both primary and secondary data grounds the study by exploring key actors in humanitarian diplomacy, their successes, and barriers to aid delivery. Humanitarian actors, such as UN agencies, international NGOs, donor countries, the EU, the US, and the African Union, have engaged with the Ethiopian government, the TPLF, and the Tigray Transitional Government to alleviate the crisis. Notable achievements in humanitarian diplomacy include negotiations, information gathering, communication, civilian needs assessment, resource mobilization, advocacy for international law, and distressed civilians. Humanitarian diplomacy has facilitated international aid operations, saving lives during critical periods, despite practical difficulties. Diplomatic efforts have faced significant interruptions due to access restrictions imposed by the Ethiopian government, security threats from ongoing fighting leading to attacks on aid convoys and casualties among aid workers, and bureaucratic obstacles imposed by the Ethiopian government. This study highlights the necessity for effective humanitarian diplomacy in accounting for complex political landscapes in conflict-affected regions, developing flexible strategies that enhance access to aid, and improving humanitarian interventions

Bureaucracy · Development aid · Diplomacy · Economic growth · Economics · Government (linguistics · Humanitarian aid · Humanitarian crisis · Negotiation · Political science · Politics · Refugee · Global Peace and Security Dynamics · Historical and Contemporary Political Dynamics · Law · Peacebuilding and International Security · Public Administration

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