The author of this article, Cornelio Sommaruga, was President of the ICRC between 1987 and 1999. In it he draws some conclusions from his long experience and also looks to the future. In his opinion, some of the main challenges facing the humanitarian community may be summarized as follows, namely, to stop the criminalization of war, to clarify the purpose of humanitarian action, to understand the victims' interests, to link ethics and international relations, to make humanitarians more receptive to other considerations of civil society. In his closing remarks the author invites all those interested in the future of humanitarian action to reflect on what must be done to tackle extreme poverty, to safeguard the natural environment, to increase respect for human rights and international humanitarian law, to improve the status of women and to prevent natural disasters. — Rejecting a fatalistic approach, the author calls for action.

Humanitarian affairs are now a major factor in international relations. Assistance to victims of armed conflict or natural disasters play an important role in policy debates at the domestic level, in international and non-international organizations and in the media. Budgets for international emergency aid are growing while development aid dwindles. Charity has become the answer to all ills, and the “victim” is a symbol of our time. After having examined some of the recent humanitarian crises and discussed relevant policy issues, the author puts forward several proposals to change policies and institutions. He advocates reinforcing conditions which will enable the principles enshrined in the UN Charter to be put into effect and, at the same time, will diminish the need, and space, for charity.

“Humanitarian” (as in “humanitarian action” or “humanitarian endeavour”) has become a household word in recent times. Often it has been distinctly misused, as in the expression “humanitarian intervention”. The author of this article, a senior ICRC staff member, gives a reminder that humanitarian action is intended above all to safeguard and promote the welfare of human beings and to shield them from violence and the abuse of power. He then discusses several policy issues which explain or support humanitarian policy. To sum up, he draws some conclusions which should preserve the true nature of humanitarian action in the present circumstances. In particular, he urges that a diversified approach be adopted to achieve the common goal, namely, to protect people in distress.