11. Intervention activities

Explain that this figure is an illustration of actors and activities involved in the provision of humanitarian assistance and conflict resolution. The figure identifies levels of intervention, specifying various actors and activities in which they may be engaged. Review the "top level", "middle range" and "grassroots" detail of the figure.

Note Elizabeth Ferris' warning in her response to this essay. A hierarchical presentation of actors tends to identify the work of those operating at "the higher levels" as more important... "we need to move beyond talking about high-level political leaders, mid-level NGOs and low-level grass roots groups. The terminology we use affects the importance we ascribe to work at various levels. While a cease-fire negotiated by political leaders may be essential for grass roots groups to operate, the community-building and reconciliation efforts of those groups may be as essential to long-term peace as the diplomatic accords negotiated by political leaders."