The Role of National Governments in International Humanitarian Response to Disasters

This background paper investigates the roles of national governments in international humanitarian response to disasters. The presence of external humanitarian aid in a specific country depends mainly on the government: weak or strong, the government status directly influences disaster relief. Depending on their status, states have different roles and responsibilities during humanitarian aid. This paper explores them both in theory and in practice. It also looks at the relationship between international humanitarian actors and national governments in disaster‐affected countries.