21. Introduction

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Introduce the topic of humanitarian assistance to displaced persons and refugees. Ethical dilemmas faced by front line relief officials and disaster managers have increased due to the nature of post-Cold War conflicts and changes in how the international community conceives of its rights and obligations to protect affected people. Read the quote and ask participants to give examples of some of the ethical issues that arise in the provision of assistance to displaced populations and refugees. Record their answers on a flip chart.

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"Challenges for relief officials and institutions are ever more complex, and decisions that constitute ethical dilemmas fall increasingly to them because of the extent of policy uncertainties and the breadth of the mandates."

- Ken Wilson