UNHCR and the Struggle for Accountability: Technology, law and results-based management

by Kristin Bergtora Sandvik (Editor), Katja Jacobsen (Editor)

Despite the key importance of accountability for the legitimacy of humanitarian action, inadequate academic attention has been given to how the concept of accountability is evolving within the specific branches of the humanitarian enterprise. Up to now, there exists no comprehensive account of what we label the 'technologies of accountability', the effects of their interaction, or the question of how the current turn to decision-making software and biometrics as both the means and ends of accountability may contribute to reshaping humanitarian governance. UNHCR and the Struggle for Accountability explores the UNHCR's quest for accountability by viewing the UNHCR's accountability obligations through the web of institutional relationships within which the agency is placed (beneficiaries, host governments, implementing partners, donors, the Executive Committee and UNGA). The book takes a multidisciplinary approach in order to illuminate the various layers and relationships that constitute accountability and also to reflect on what constitutes good enough accountability. This book contributes to the discussion regarding how we construct knowledge about concepts in humanitarian studies and is a valuable resource for academics, researchers and professionals in the areas of anthropology, history, international relations, international law, science, technology studies and socio-legal studies.

194 pages, Hardcover

First published February 22, 2016

Reviews

[Markel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps a little outdated by the time I read it in January 2022, most of the research dating back to the first part of the 2010s. Very good points highlighted about accountability (or the lack thereof) in the areas of RSD and resettlement, although the chapters dedicated to RBA and RBM, as well as to biometrics, were more difficult to pinpoint, and not necessarily accurate. In fact, I missed recommendations or suggestions for a more accountable course of action in UNHCR, perhaps on a final chapter dedicated to conclusions as such. There was only a passing mention to AAP (accountability to affected populations), which remains the main (downward) accountability mechanism implemented by UNHCR through participatory assessments or townhall meetings for example. Similarly, reporting was absent from this book, which entails the most basic upward accountability system in place.