Refugee policy has not kept pace with new realities in international and humanitarian affairs. Recent policy failures have resulted in instability, terrible hardships, and massive loss of life. This book systematically analyzes refugee policy responses over the past decade and calls for specific reforms to make policy more proactive and comprehensive. Refugee policy must be more than the administration of misery. Responses should be calculated to help prevent or mitigate future humanitarian catastrophes. More international cooperation is needed in advance of crises. Humanitarian structures within governments, notably the United States, as well as the wide variety o international institutions involved in humanitarian action must be re-oriented to cope with new challenges.
Industry Reviews
This new and highly original book examines one of the most pressing issues facing the international community today - the issue of refugees. The author provides a very clear review of humanitarian action over the past decade, focusing his analysis on foced displacement and on the role of the United Nations. Mr. Helton not only asks important questions, but also makes ambitious policy recommendations. His book is a welcome contribution to the debate on
humanitarian action, and will undoubtedly help us to manage humanitarian challenges better in the future. Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General
`This book is required reading for anybody who worries about making our world more stable and secure by addressing the plight of 35 million refugees and displaced people. Arthur Helton makes a compelling case that the world can - and must - do a better job of dealing with displaced populations.'
Kenneth H. Bacon, President, Refugees International, and Former Pentagon Spokesman
This is an important book which shows how critical the refugee issue is in the conduct of foreign policy. The refugee problem is often ignored by decision makers. But, as this book shows, most recent international crises have featured refugees. Poliy makers should heed Arthur Helton's recommendations and address refugee issues, if they are serious about peacemaking. Richard C. Holbrooke, Vice Chairman, Perseus, LLC, and Former U.S. Representative to the United
Nations
Forced displacement has figured prominently in world politics during the last decade and has been one of the triggers for interventions by the UN Security Council, NATO and other regional organizations, and individual states. The Price of Indifference examines the lessons learned from these events with a view towards imporiving the operational effectiveness of future responses to forcible displacements. Arhtur Helton not only provides a detailed analysis of
past polciy approaches but also offers a range of policy recommendations for the future with an emphasis on preventive comprehensive measures. This book is invaluable for scholars, policymakers and
practitioners alike. Professor Gil Loescher, Author, The UNHCR and WOrld Politics: A Perilous Path
This is a monumental work which provides an extraordinary amount of information on refugees, conflict prevention, humanitarian policy, international law, and international organizations. The historical and analytical material, interspersed with first hand observations, makes for lively and engaging reading. The number of policy recommendations is staggering. It is a policy-oriented text which deserves careful reading and re-reading, and one of the best I have
ever read. Princeton N. Lyman, Executive Director, Global Interdependence Initiative, The Aspen Institute, and Former Director, Bureau for Refugee Programs, U.S. Department of State
Arthur Helton has completed a monumental task of compiling information on and describing the major refugee and internally displaced problems of the past decade. Standing alone, this research would be very useful background for academics and policy makers. However, Arthur has gone furhter to examine how conflict prevention or resolution, are linked to refugees and IDP's. Moreover, he has come up with some interesting ideas on how one can better deal iwth refugee
problems and related issues of conflict prevention/resolution. Robert B. Oakley, Distinguished Visiting Fellow and Director, Peacekeeping Operations, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National
Defence University, and Former U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, Somalia and Zaire
`Masterfully written and innovative, Arthur Helton's book offers a most comprehensive and insightful treatment of refugee issues. This work is a splendid combination of the author's solid academic judgement and his practical familiarity with the subject.'
Sadako Ogata, Resident Scholar, Ford Foundation, Co-Chair, International Human Security Commission, and Former United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
" [A] fascinating book ... [which] relates also to the future ....I will profit from this book in preparing for 2004, ... [when] the General Assembly of the United Nations has to decide how to go on with UNHCR, with what mandate, with what funding." Ruud Lubbers, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
