The Selfish Altruist: Relief Work in Famine and War FROM THE PUBLISHER
"In the Selfish Altruist, Tony Vaux brings over 20 years' experience as one of Oxfam's leading emergency programmes coordinators to a far-reaching and unflinching account of the conflicts between subjective impulses and objective judgement. Describing and analysing some of the most traumatic crisis situations of the last two decades, he helps us to understand what it takes to be an aid worker and how important humanitarian action is today."--BOOK JACKET.
SYNOPSIS
* Compelling firsthand account of the dilemmas faced by relief workers
* Reflects the author's experience of the catastrophies in Kosovo, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan Famine and war evoke strong emotional reactions of pity and concern. For most, there is a limited amount they can do, but the relief worker has to convert emotional responses into practical action and difficult choices - whom to help and how. His or her own feelings have to motivate action for others. But can they separate out their own selfish feelings and prejudices in such an emotive climate? How do they avoid being partial among those they are helping? Are they motivated by altruistic concern, the power they experience, or the attention they receive? Tony Vaux brings over 20 years' experience as one of Oxfam's leading emergency managers to the exploration of the conflicts between subjective impulses and objective judgments and the dilemmas relief workers contend with. Describing and analyzing some of the most traumatic situations of the last two decades, he helps us to understand what it takes to be an aid worker and how important humanitarian action is today.
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