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Humanitarianism in Crisis

By David Rieff
November/December 2002
Article Summary and Author Biography

Humanitarian organizations have moved to incorporate human rights and development into their increasingly politicized agendas. Yet in the process, they have abandoned the neutrality and independence that were the original hallmarks of the movement. Few seem to notice what is being lost.

David Rieff is a journalist and a Visiting Professor at Bard College. This article is adapted from his latest book, A Bed for the Night: Humanitarianism in Crisis, to be published by Simon & Schuster. Copyright (c) 2002 by David Rieff.

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