Humanitarian Diplomacy Definitions and Approaches

Abstract

This rapid evidence review explores humanitarian diplomacy, acknowledging its varied definitions and approaches amidst a growing literature. It reveals the complexity of assessing success across different contexts and delineates the challenges faced by humanitarian actors, often acting from positions of relative weakness compared to states. Key findings include the importance of negotiation practices, challenges in working with non-state armed groups, and the effectiveness of invoking humanitarian principles. While evidence points to some success in promoting humanitarian norms, coordination mechanisms face obstacles. The review underscores the need for further research to understand the nuances of humanitarian diplomacy across diverse contexts.