Domestic Regulation of International Humanitarian Relief in Disasters and Armed Conflict: A Comparative Analysis

In both disasters and armed conflicts, domestic regulatory control over the entry and
operation of international humanitarian relief operations can significantly affect their
ability to address the critical needs of affected persons. The types of regulatory
problems that arise, such as customs barriers, visa issues and taxation of aid, are often
similar, but both the underlying dynamics and the applicable international law can be
quite different. This article analyses these similarities and differences and suggests
distinct steps that might be taken to move forward in the two contexts.