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- Title
Crossing the Borders of Humanitarianism: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Inner-City Johannesburg.
- Authors
Wilhelm-Solomon, Matthew; Pedersen, Jens
- Abstract
This paper is an account of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Brussel's projects in Johannesburg from 2007 to 2013, drawing on the ethnographic research of an external researcher (Wilhelm-Solomon) and MSF health worker and project leader (Pedersen). We argue, based on this case study-spanning responses including interventions targeted at mass migration, xenophobic violence, cholera and finally involving health, waste and sanitation interventions in inner-city unlawfully occupied buildings-that urban humanitarianism in inner-city Johannesburg evolved from reworking contested humanitarian principles in dense and diverse urban spaces. We argue here that humanitarian interventions in urban spaces not only require a departure from short-term biomedical operations and evaluations but also a questioning of the politics and principles of humanitarianism. In particular, this requires emphasising solidarity over neutrality, and committing to long-term engagements without immediate and verifiable medical outcomes, in which sustaining relations of trust are paramount and adaptation is a key. In the case of MSF in inner-city Johannesburg, we argue that operations crossed the present borders of humanitarianism, and that this was tied to their achievements but also eventual limitations and project closure.
- Subjects
HUMANITARIANISM; MIGRATIONS of nations; MEDICAL personnel; NEUTRALITY; SOLIDARITY
- Publication
Urban Forum, 2017, Vol 28, Issue 1, p5
- ISSN
1015-3802
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s12132-016-9285-9