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Thematic Notes

The thematic notes provide regular updates on recent developments in the humanitarian community. They are published in our newsletter updates on Humanitarian Law and Policy and Leadership and Management of Humanitarian Action. If you are not yet a member, read more about membership in PHAP and apply today.To get notified of new thematic notes, subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook.

Humanitarian law & policy in 2014: Humanitarian space - Expected trends, developments and resources
Antonio Galli
13 February 2014
While constraints on humanitarian space will remain, if not intensify, in a number of conflict zones in 2014 – including Sudan, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, Myanmar, the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt), Pakistan, Mali, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Yemen – there...
Humanitarian law & policy in 2014: Peacekeeping missions as parties to conflicts
Mona Khalil
13 February 2014
In the realm of UN peacekeeping operations, several legal issues and challenges, once primarily theoretical, are increasingly real and require transparent discussion and a clear understanding of the possible consequences. While any military component of any peacekeeping mission may, in the course...
Humanitarian law & policy in 2014: Reducing the humanitarian impact of explosive weapons
Annyssa Bellal
13 February 2014
Last year, in September, I had the chance to participate in an expert meeting organised by OCHA and Chatham House on “Reducing the Humanitarian Impact of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas.” This issue strikes me as being one of the key concerns for the UN, but also for other organisations such...
Monitoring, Reporting, and Fact-finding: Challenges and Opportunities
Rob Grace
11 February 2014
Developments over the past few months in the domain of monitoring, reporting, and fact-finding (MRF) illustrate many of the key challenges that practitioners face in this field.
Humanitarian negotiations: Best practice and resources for negotiating humanitarian access
Antonio Galli
11 February 2014
The recent evacuation and aid delivery to the Syrian city of Homs provides a useful example of both good practice as well as the unpredictability of humanitarian negotiations. After representatives to the Geneva II talks failed to agree on conditions for access to an estimated 2 500 civilians, the...