Paper details

Paper authors	liz storer
In panel on	The Safety of Strangers: humanitarian protection in South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda
Paper presenter(s) will be presenting	In-Person / Online

Abstract

Recently, there have been decisive shifts in the operational delivery of humanitarian protection. On the one hand, international institutions have lauded the inclusion of faith-based actors in delivering humanitarian aid. On the other, new services, including interventions aimed at addressing mental health, have been included within the mandate of humanitarian work. In this paper, we critically evaluate these recent shifts within global humanitarian policy. Departing from extended engagement with the "real work" of religious actors in addressing mental disquiet across conflict-affected (majority Christian) populations in Northern Uganda, we argue for a recognition of faith actors as 'social embedded' agents'. Departing from this position, we show that whilst Christian leaders may be legitimate figures to channel humanitarian aid, their inclusion may not equate to the enforcement of rights-based values at the core of internationals ideas of protection.

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