Complex humanitarian emergencies have posed a challenge for the ethical project behind traditional humanitarianism. The humanitarian action field is under permanent scrutiny over its motivations, efficiency and impact. Altruism, compassion, humanity and other ethical values have supported the development of contemporary humanitarianism, but something is missing. This thesis is an attempt to understand the roots of the ethical project behind humanitarianism by analysing the concept of vulnerability through the lens of different theoretical frameworks that can add new perspectives with the objective of proposing a new interpretation in accordance to the context of a contemporary complex humanitarian emergency: Venezuela.

Approved for public release; distribution in unlimited. / Natural as well as man-made disasters have become commonalities of daily life in recent decades for a large portion of the world's population. This growing trend reflects the worldwide proliferation in recent years of Complex Humanitarian Emergencies (CHEs) and peace operations. Humanitarian emergencies and peace operations are a complex mix of related activities that require the combined efforts of the UN, military, International Organizations (IOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Given the nature and similarities of their missions, there is an ongoing need for these organizations to have access to accurate, current, and comprehensive information about field conditions and each other's movements. In several of the CHEs and peacekeeping operations of recent years, a recurring problem has been poor communication due to inadequate equipment, non-compatibility of equipment and a non-standardized communications infrastructure. This thesis explores the impact and possible benefits that wireless technology can provide to help bridge the communication gap that exists among the UN and the NGOs who participate in CHEs and peacekeeping operations. / Lieutenant Commander, Supply Corps, United States Navy / Lieutenant, United States Navy

Aid relief workers active in complex humanitarian emergencies often develop mental health issues, due to the complex context of these settings and several workplace stressors. In order to cope with these problems, aid relief workers rely on organizational preparation and support, and social support. However, there is a gap between the needs for and availability of preparation and support, which has negative effects on their mental health. This qualitative study provides a phenomenological review of the experiences of aid relief workers active in these complex humanitarian emergencies, with regard to mental health issues, levels of preparation, organizational support and social support. For this study, interviews with five aid relief workers in different fields were conducted to research the effects of working in complex humanitarian emergencies on their mental health, and how preparation and support, or the lack thereof, influences their psychological resilience. The results show that organizational preparation and support, and social support have a positive impact on the psychological resilience of aid relief workers. However, the availability of and access to adequate preparation and support often lacks, which has negative consequences for their mental health. Therefore, this study provides recommendations to humanitarian NGO’s to improve their mental health support, and explores how the psychological resilience of aid relief workers in complex humanitarian emergencies can be improved.