Historical Dictionary of Refugee and Disaster Relief Organizations

This dictionary seeks to provide answers to questions on today's refugees, by tracing the history and describing the role of various actors in the international emergency relief system and in the global refugee assistance and protection network since the end of World War I.

For those who want to know more about organizations that provide assistance to refugees and disaster relief victims, the Dictionary is an ideal staring point. The timeline traces the history of refugee movements and disasters during the twentieth century. The introduction, taking a broader view, outlines the tumultuous history of refugee movements and disasters from early times to the present day while discussing the complications, challenges and coping strategies of the international community. The dictionary provides A-Z entries on both natural and man-made disasters, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, basic concepts, and people who have played a notable role. Also included is an extensive list of acronyms and abbreviations to sort out the various organizations. The bibliography directs readers to a plethora of books, articles, and government documents on the same topic. A must for the reference collection—-community colleges, college, university and large public libraries.