Bibliography and literature reviewsNovember 2020Veronique Barbelet and Caitlin WakeInclusive humanitarian action means the ability to reach people most affected by a crisis with the services, assistance and protection they need, while ensuring their effective participation in the planning and execution of the response. Failing to reach individuals who are marginalised and excluded means that humanitarian actors cannot claim to uphold the principle of impartiality, which is at the heart of the humanitarian mission. Inclusive humanitarian action has been at the centre of a number of policy discussions, commitments and initiatives in recent years, yet in practice responses continue to struggle to deliver it. Continued evidence that humanitarian responses fail to be inclusive therefore puts into question both the ethical essence of humanitarian action and its effectiveness.This literature review seeks to make sense of the concept of inclusion in humanitarian action, explore how it relates to humanitarian principles and other core concepts, and outlines some of the key issues and challenges preventing more inclusive humanitarian action. We argue that the categorical approach to vulnerability has encouraged a fragmentation of inclusion by diversity factors such as disability, gender or age. While technical approaches to inclusion are necessary, they are not sufficient. In order to address these challenges, a better understanding of the multi-dimensional drivers of inclusion and exclusion – how they relate to each other and intersect – is needed if humanitarian action is to become more systematically inclusive.Read the research Inclusion and exclusion in humanitarian action: the state of playDocumentRelated Implementing the IASC Guidelines on inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitarian actionHighlighting strategies for using the IASC Guidelines to mainstream disability inclusion within humanitarian interventions.Briefing papers29 June 2020Dignity and humanitarian action in displacementThis paper explores dignity in humanitarian response, using evidence from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Colombia, Lebanon, the Philippines and South Sudan.Research reports and studies25 March 2019 The role and vulnerabilities of older people in drought in East Africa: progress, challenges and opportunities for a more inclusive humanitarian responseThis study explores how humanitarian actors involved in drought crises can better include older men and women in their responses.Research reports and studies2 July 2018 Older people in displacement: falling through the cracks of emergency responsesThis study looks at how the role of older people changes during displacement and examines how well they are included in the humanitarian response.Research reports and studies2 July 2018See more:humanitarian policyhumanitariansocial exclusionGlobal
