Faith and impartiality in humanitarian response: Lessons from Lebanese evangelical churches providing food aid

Article


Kraft, K. 2015. Faith and impartiality in humanitarian response: Lessons from Lebanese evangelical churches providing food aid. International Review of the Red Cross. 97 (897), pp. 395-421. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1816383115000570
AuthorsKraft, K.
Abstract

This case study of a network of evangelical churches in Lebanon, based on data collected during an evaluation in 2014, presents a critique of common understandings about the humanitarian principle of impartiality, and questions assumptions about the compatibility between religious fervour and humanitarian values. Churches attempting to respect impartiality while implementing a food aid project for Syrian refugees have sought to mitigate potential problems through relationship-building and promotion of human dignity in order to ensure needs-responsiveness. Though many Lebanese Evangelical Christians do continue to engage in evangelistic activity, they benefit from strong community ties and demonstrate a high level of sensitivity to their beneficiaries' urgent needs as well as their sense of dignity.

JournalInternational Review of the Red Cross
Journal citation97 (897), pp. 395-421
ISSN1607-5889
1816-3831
Year2015
PublisherCambridge University Press for International Committee of the Red Cross
Accepted author manuscript
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1017/S1816383115000570
Publication dates
Print16 Nov 2015
Publication process dates
Deposited17 Dec 2015
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