Transcendent Policy

Transcendent Policy

An Examination of the Evolution of United Nations Humanitarian Assistance and Its Role in Achieving the Concept of Relief

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mohammad RezaZadeh 1
Mohammad Ali Kafaeifar 2
1 PhD. Student, International Law, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of International Law, Faculty of Humanities, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran
10.22034/sm.2024.2040433.2234
Abstract
The existing mechanisms of the United Nations, as the most significant executor of humanitarian assistance at the international level, rapidly expanded in the post-Cold War era. Numerous resolutions were adopted by the Security Council, the General Assembly, and the Economic and Social Council concerning humanitarian assistance, leading to the establishment of specialized institutions such as the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Norms related to humanitarian law within the UN system are continually evolving. This study aims, first, to explain the evolution of the UN’s humanitarian assistance system and, second, to review the operational aspects of the current system, particularly in decision-making processes. Additionally, the study elucidates the privileges and immunities of the United Nations and its specialized agencies while examining laws related to the safety and protection of humanitarian personnel. The central research question explores how understanding the evolution of humanitarian assistance can contribute to achieving the concept of relief in crisis-stricken environments. By delineating the general patterns within the current UN humanitarian system, the study outlines the legal framework governing humanitarian assistance and evaluates the effectiveness of these mechanisms in fulfilling their intended objectives. Understanding these frameworks can enhance the interaction between states and the United Nations and its related commissions on humanitarian relief, ensuring the equitable distribution of aid opportunities in conflict-affected and war-torn regions. The UN humanitarian system is undergoing continuous simplification and integration, particularly through the establishment of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which seeks to become the central hub for UN relief efforts. Legal mechanisms governing humanitarian activities, from privileges and immunities to specialized safety and security agreements, are constantly evolving and may contribute to improving humanitarian efforts. Nevertheless, it appears necessary for the General Assembly and the Secretary-General to intensify their efforts—amid persistent state pressures—to adopt essential and coordinated conventions, ensuring the protection and support of humanitarian workers in both armed conflicts and natural disaster scenarios.
Keywords
United Nations
Humanitarian Law
Relief
Security
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