Operation Lifeline Sudan (1986 - 1996)

This thesis examines the experience of humanitarian relief charity in the Sudan from 1986, the creation of Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) in April 1989 and its experience to 1996. This historical analysis also situates OLS within the
international relief system. OLS experience generally provides an important case study in the mixture of motives and views in contemporary international affairs and the subsequent difficulty we have in theorising within that experience. Throughout 1989-96, OLS was able to establish an environment on which the rights of internally displaced persons to relief food and security was possible. This was within the context o f a continuing civil war, where relief objectives were at odds with the military objectives of the combatants, the diverse views of the donor governments,
and the technical difficulties of delivering aid in such circumstances. The instruments used by OLS to gain access to those needing aid involved the use of humanitarian norms, principles and agreements to shame and, sometimes, sanction those denying access. These rhetorical devices are relevant to other war affected areas and constitute a useful development in humanitarian intervention. The theoretical implication of this development for our understanding of international relations is briefly explained in the conclusion.