Increasing competition between aid agencies for funding and material resources is already starting to threaten the effectiveness of humanitarian responses. What is more, one might even say that aid organizations have become - albeit involuntary - instigators in the development and perpetuation of conflicts. They may actually fuel local and regional strife through the "business" they provide, since international aid is viewed as a significant source of windfall revenue by certain parties. Conflict situations in particular provide lucrative climates for certain groups and individuals to "get rich quick", with international aid often providing a significant source of revenue.

For some analysts, humanitarian purists need to start linking emergency relief operations with longer-term considerations such as human rights, conflict management or resolution, and economic devel...