Introduction

Abstract

World problems give rise to complex legal and institutional responses, not least in the humanitarian field. Sometimes the response even becomes part of the problem. The relationship between humanitarian assistance and international Taw and organization deserves careful consideration, the more so because of the serious nature of present humanitarian problems. Attempts to identify and apply factors which can contribute to improving humanitarian actions and the international humanitarian order are therefore now especially timely, if not overdue.¹

... si un peuple est désolé par la famine, tous ceux qui ont des vivres de reste doivent l’assister dans son besoin, sans toutefois s’exposer eux-mêmes à la disette... L’assistance, dans cette dure extrémité, est si essentiellement conforme à l’humanité, qu’on ne voit guères de Nation un peu civilisée y manquer absolument... De quelque Calamité qu’ un peuple soit affligé, la même assistance lui est dûe.

... if a nation is visited with famine, all those who have provisions enough and to spare should come to its assistance, though not to the extent of self-impoverishment... Help in such an extremity is so much in accord with the dictates of humanity that no civilized nation could altogether fail to respond... Whatever the nature of the disaster that overtakes a nation, the same help is due to it. E. de Vattel, Le Droit des Gens (The Law of Nations), II, I, 5 (1758).