Embargo Period
5-1-2023
Degree Name
MA in Humanitarian Assistance and Crisis Management
First Advisor
Mounir Khelifa
Abstract
For centuries, the concept of dignity has been philosophically debated by the world’s greatest minds. The United Nations codified dignity into the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, prompting citizens across the globe to take note of their right to freedom of choice and a life of autonomy. The humanitarian field has displayed its commitment to dignity with a movement from in-kind assistance to one with a cash focus – affording dignity by way of recipients’ self-government. This research draws on the findings from nine semi-structured interviews of humanitarian professionals across the United States, Great Britain, Georgia, Kenya, and Uganda. Secondarily, an Instagram poll was conducted to gauge perspectives of non-humanitarians. The poll (“items” vs. “cash” to those in need) garnered 117 votes, supported by 44 voluntary responses when asked if they wished to explain their vote. I argue that to provide dignity in a humanitarian response, program design must be guided by dignity, rather than assuming a particular mode of assistance (i.e., cash) has dignity built in. I conclude with a recommendation for leveling the field between humanitarian actors and recipients of assistance by including a new concept in the definition of dignity: exerting, facilitating, and accepting the innate sense of survival savviness. Recipients must be free to strategically tailor resources available to meet their needs and without judgement from humanitarian actors. This acceptance can break the barrier between actors and recipients that manifests itself in harmful practices of paternalism, colonialism, and disempowerment, keeping those in need, in need. Discussing recipient dignity will continue to be incomplete without engaging the perspectives of recipients themselves. Future research should center on recipient voices to best understand the ways dignity as a fundamental determinant in philanthropic assistance can guide humanitarian response.
Disciplines
Development Studies | Other Sociology | Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation | Public Affairs | Public Policy | Social Justice | Social Policy | Social Welfare
Recommended Citation
Calandro, Jenna, ""But What Will They Spend it On?" Examining the Concept of Dignity in Cash Assistance Programs Against the Distrust in Recipient Spending" (2022). Capstone Collection. 3279.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/capstones/3279