Meaning Making and Moral Restraint: How Rwanda Redefined Humanitarian Aid

During the Rwandan genocide of 1994, the role of humanitarian aid was put into question as existing conventions came up short in resolving the crisis. This rift was best exemplified by the responses of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and the Red Cross/UN, the latter operating under strict operational neutrality while the former withdrew services and publicly advocated for external protection to prevent further harm.

The approach dictated by MSF serves as an example of one of the most important tenets of humanitarian work: the healing of a society following conflict. The decisive inaction meant MSF did not perpetuate harm as Rwandan-led efforts to stop the genocide and instill the change they wanted. A culture’s ability to incorporate its own values into the healing process should not be an afterthought; rather, it should be the guiding principle, as self-determination is contingent upon this. This concept is reflected in both international doctrine and the belief systems that many in the West adhere to.