Introduction: The Use of Soldiers and Peacekeepers in Coping with Disasters

Abstract

The notion of turning to armed forces for assistance in humanitarian emergencies derives from both the causes of human suffering and their nature. Aside from natural disasters, humanitarian emergencies in the contemporary world frequently emerge from military engagements. Some of these are regional and others are contained within state boundaries. Both locations ordinarily involve serious threats to the lives of large numbers of noncombatants, who more often than not take flight from the battle areas. The human misery, as in Afghanistan, Iraq-Iran and the Horn of Africa, may be immense.