Soldiers to the Rescue: Humanitarian Lessons from Rwanda

by Larry Minear, Philippe Guillot

The human tragedy in Rwanda came upon most people unexpectedly. In the desperate conditions which ensued, governments and voluntary bodies tried to cope with a totally new and potentially overwhelming situation. The military seemed to have much of the competence and many of the capacities needed. This book explores the activities of the military from many countries that contributed to the response. The authors reveal both the advantages and drawbacks of using troops in humanitarian roles, and demonstrate the extreme difficulty of carrying out realistic analysis of cost effectiveness.

204 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 1996