This paper is part of a study on ‘protection in practice’ which
aims to examine current practice in humanitarian protection and explore strategies, programmes and initiatives undertaken in different contexts to support the protection of civilians. Focusing on
roles, outcomes and the internal and external limitations of humanitarian actors, the purpose of the research is to draw lessons and elicit best practice, rather than evaluate specific programmes or
agencies. This Discussion Paper on Darfur will inform a comprehensive HPG report on field-based strategies for humanitarian protection due for publication in mid-2007. This work forms part of a wider
body of research by HPG on the subject of civilian security and humanitarian protection, which includes separate studies aimed at understanding different concepts of protection (political, human
rights and humanitarian) as well as the relevance and application of protective status (refugee, IDP, civilian) for people’s security.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
