Working Paper
Humanitarian economics

This paper introduces the origins and scope of humanitarian economics, a vibrant field of study and practice that deals with the economics and political economy of war, disaster, and humanitarian action.

To illustrate the field’s scientific and policy relevance, the paper draws on various examples and highlights the potential of humanitarian economics to better understand and address some of today’s thorniest humanitarian challenges. Finally, the paper calls for novel interdisciplinary, cross-sector collaborations to push a pressing research agenda forward.