In each new crisis, it is often the basic elements of community which provide the first, last and perhaps only tactical responses for survival. The international humanitarian community, however, is often not predisposed to recognise these elements, relying rather on…
The international refugee regime, defined by the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, inadequately addresses gender-related persecution and, in particular, the asylum claims of refugee women. The Convention is based on a liberal rights…
The search for durable solutions to conflicts is perhaps one of the greatest and most inspiring challenges for modern societies. Colombia seems now to be on the verge of ending a period of violence that has – in addition to…
In the upheaval of today’s refugee crisis, European immigration officers can face the particular yet confusing case of stateless people[1] seeking asylum in Europe, with the result that stateless people regularly face long periods of immigration detention waiting to be…
Starting a small business in Australia is often discussed alongside the ‘risk-taking’ attributes of entrepreneurs. This characterisation casts entrepreneurship as positive and adventurous, with the promise of rewards. However, some groups in Australia have no choice but to pursue self-employment…
This article comes out of an experiential learning field trip undertaken as part of a public health course on refugee health through the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative. Six public health students from the Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health…
Brazil’s granting of humanitarian visas began in 2012 in favour of Haitians after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010, and was extended in 2013 to benefit people affected by the conflict in Syria. The general national legislation on…
Innovation and technology are increasingly recognised as important elements in the humanitarian system. However, innovation and use of technology by displaced people themselves also happen alongside the traditional actors operating in the humanitarian system. Mobile technologies, in particular, are central…
The midwife assumes a variety of roles – advocate, adviser, confidante, decision maker, custodian, teacher and coordinator of care. As cultural diversity intensifies, the need for specialised knowledge in performing these roles increases; specifically, midwives need to be skilled in…
We are very grateful to the approximately 550 individuals who took the time to respond to our recent Reader Survey. One of our purposes was to find out whether we are getting FMR out there as effectively as we…