Overview

Drawing on rich archival sources from Europe, Nigeria and the United States, this book retraces the international responses to the Nigeria-Biafra war (1967-1970). It brings to life the organisations on the ground and the individuals who shaped their missions, while examining their often complex relations with governments. From the dramatic images of starving children to the heated debates about the perverse effects of aid and the emergence of sans-frontierisme, the Nigeria-Biafra war marked a turning point in the history of humanitarian aid. Colonial practices and representations were adapted to a postcolonial world, and humanitarian aid became a central element in the West's relationship with Africa. By revisiting the Biafra moment, this book sheds new light on the contradictions and enduring dilemmas of today's humanitarian system.

Full Product Details

Author:   Marie-Luce Desgrandchamps
Publisher:   Manchester University Press
Imprint:   Manchester University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 1.90cm , Length: 23.40cm
Weight:   0.637kg
ISBN:  

9781526190246

ISBN 10:   1526190249
Pages:   328
Publication Date:   16 June 2026
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  General/trade ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   Not yet available, will be POD  
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Table of Contents

Introduction Part I: Biafra in the world: from African civil war to international humanitarian crisis 1 The civilian population in the conflict: controversies surrounding the question of genocide 2 The media coverage of war: transnational networks and government action 3 Emotion: representations, mobilization and impact on governments in the West Part II: From the West to Nigeria-Biafra: development, deployment and reception of humanitarian operations 4 Force the blockade: a non-governmental humanitarian intervention 5 Relief operations in the field: at the crossroads of missionary, humanitarian and military traditions 6 The legitimacy of humanitarian aid in question: between reaffirmation of Nigerian sovereignty and weariness of international actors Part III Revisiting the myths 7 Humanitarianism: the sinews of war 8 The MSF/ICRC rupture: the ingredients of a myth 9 Biafra or the birth of the “modern ICRC”? Conclusion -- .

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Author Information

Marie-Luce Desgrandchamps is a Lecturer in Modern History at the University of Geneva

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