Multiple and complex humanitarian crises challenged the mandates and response capacities of the United Nations and the international community in the mid-nineties. The increasing demand for international action in internal conflicts is a reflection of the new dynamics in international relations.
All too often governments are either unwilling or unable to meet the protection needs of their displaced populations. The international community, therefore, has an important responsibility to ensure that these populations are assisted. This must include effective safeguarding of all rights guaranteed by international humanitarian and human rights law. This manual on field practice describes a number of concrete activities that may be undertaken in situations of internal displacement so as to strengthen the link between assistance and protection activities.
