The international humanitarian law framework for humanitarian relief during armed conflicts and complex emergencies

Abstract

This chapter reviews the relationship between international humanitarian law and international disaster law. Although colloquially speaking, armed conflicts can be called disasters due to their severe consequences, from an international legal point of view, armed conflicts are distinct from other disasters triggered by human-made or natural hazards. The chapter examines the existing international legal framework governing humanitarian relief during armed conflicts, before providing an overview of the applicable law during complex emergencies, and an analysis of the interrelationship between international humanitarian law and international disaster law.