Saving Lives and Staying Alive

'Humanitarian work has always been dangerous, though cultures and perceptions of risk have changed -- ranging from the heroic spirit of chivalry to the mundanity of actuarial calculus. In this comprehensive and critical -- and rivetingly frank -- collection, MSF once again shows its capacity for thoughtful engagement with the toughest humanitarian dilemmas.' * Alex de Waal, Executive Director, the World Peace Foundation, Tufts University *
'Dealing with one of the most pressing security issues in our present age of conflict -- the safety of those who save others -- this book directly confronts some of the painful tensions between the desire to increase the safety of volunteer medical workers and the frustrations of that process. This is essential reading not only for risk management and voluntary organisation experts, but also for a wider audience as a testimony of our times.' * Michael Power, Professor of Accounting, London School of Economics, former Director of the Centre for the Analysis of Risk and Regulation, and author of Organized Uncertainty: Designing a World of Risk Management *
'At a time when gaining humanitarian access is increasing difficult and dangerous for international aid workers, MSF's Saving Lives and Staying Alive is essential reading for anyone wanting a candid first-hand account of the fraught policy, practical and political issues that accompany the attempt to help others in a polarised world.' * Mark Duffield, Emeritus Professor, Global Insecurities Centre, University of Bristol *
'A timely and important contribution to debates about humanitarian security and the security management sector. Drawing upon decades of operational experience, MSF challenges accepted wisdom and offers a thoughtful critique of the evolution and professionalization of the sector. The book is a must-read for humanitarians everywhere.' * Larissa Fast, author of Aid in Danger: The Perils and Promise of Humanitarianism *
'Is it worth risking lives to save lives? Is the humanitarian spirit of sacrifice a delusion, requiring harsh security restraints, or is risk management a contradiction in terms? This book questions the validity of a remotely controlled, apolitical and technical approach to staff security, and argues that, in a climate of operational uncertainty, nothing trumps trust in the judgment of seasoned staff on the ground.' * Dirk Salomons, Professor of International Affairs, Columbia University *