Delivering humanitarian and development aid in fragile and conflict-affected places is not easy. War zones are complicated and dangerous, and aid agencies must deliver urgent and life-saving assistance in the face of constant challenges and risks.

In such places, aid can sometimes inadvertently be misdirected, misspent, or, even when delivered exactly according to plan, unintentionally worsen issues such as inequalities and mistrust, thereby perpetuating causes of conflicts in the first place.

So how can we ensure that aid is delivered in a “conflict-sensitive” manner? The idea of conflict sensitivity is similar to the concept of “do no harm,” as adapted by Mary B. Anderson from the world of medicine. It means that assistance given to people in conflict-affected places should first and foremost avoid doing harm.

But we also need to go beyond this: In addition to doing no harm, aid organizations could actively design, manage, implement, and adapt their programs to maximize the opportunities to build peace. Humanitarian and development aid is essential to reduce suffering, and tackle the root causes of ongoing conflicts. Well-designed aid projects can help reduce inequalities, and promote greater trust between conflict parties.

Read the full article on better ways to deliver aid to conflict zones by Robert Barclay at Devex International Development.