# The Politics of Humanity: The Reality of Relief Aid

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/books/the-politics-of-humanity-the-reality-of-relief-aid/
- Published: 2014-04-21T17:53:48+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**John Holmes** was the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs from
2007 until 2010. His work took him to some of the most troubled areas of the world:
to Sri Lanka, Darfur, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, among other
places, and exposed him to the harsh realities of humanitarian aid.

Frequently he found that the UN’s humanitarian programmes in these hotspots were
tolerated but consistently undermined and mistrusted by both sides in any conflict,
and its efforts to protect civilians and provide humanitarian relief frustrated 
by people working for purely political ends.

Clear-eyed about the realities of development aid, Holmes realised early on that
his role was to be a voice to the voiceless. The Politics of Humanity exposes, in
often depressing detail, how difficult this job is, as well as analysing and exploring
in great depth the wider policy questions of his role.

## About John Holmes

John Holmes worked in the UK’s Foreign Office for 34 years, finishing as Ambassador
in Paris, before taking up the role of UN USG for Humanitarian Affairs in 2007.

## Reviews

“Offers a glimpse into the workings of the global humanitarian machinery; at the
same time it is a frank and engaging contribution to the debate on the efficacy 
of humanitarianism”
**TLS**

**Buy the book from [Amazon.co.uk](https://amzn.to/4psulHH)**

## Related books

 * [**The Road to Hell: the ravaging effects of foreign aid and international charity**](https://fundraising.co.uk/books/the-road-to-hell-the-ravaging-effects-of-foreign-aid-and-international-charity/)