EPIS Report on Human Rights & Humanitarian Aid February 2026

Dear Reader,

Humanitarian aid is often spoken of in the language of urgency and compassion. But behind every aid delivered, every legal doctrine invoked, and every protection mandate declared lies a deeper question: Who holds power, and who is held accountable?

In this first edition of our Humanitarian and Human Rights Aid magazine, we explore what happens when protection systems falter, when aid becomes politicised, and when human rights commitments remain more aspirational than enforceable. Our contributors begin at the level of global responsibility. The Responsibility to Protect, once envisioned as a safeguard against atrocity crimes, reveals its fragility when geopolitical interests overshadow collective action. From Myanmar to Crimea to the Democratic Republic of

Congo, selective enforcement exposes the limits of international resolve. But these structural failures do not remain abstract. They travel downward, into the waters of the South China Sea, where Filipino fishermen navigate a “peace” defined by restriction and uncertainty. They surface in earthquake-stricken regions of Turkey and Syria, where transparency determines whether aid reaches those most in need. They persist in Myanmar, where humanitarian assistance risks being manipulated by a repressive junta, raising difficult questions about neutrality, resistance and justice. 

Other contributions turn inward, examining corruption embedded in supply chains and the tension between rapid crisis response and accountability. Across these varied contexts, one thread connects every article: humanitarian action is not simply about delivery, it is about integrity, responsibility and the protection of human dignity. Together, these analyses ask a shared question: Can humanitarian and human rights frameworks meaningfully protect civilians in a world where power often evades responsibility? This edition does not claim to offer simple solutions. Instead, it offers critical reflection and constructive dialogue. If it challenges assumptions, sparks discussion, or encourages deeper scrutiny of how aid operates in practice, then it has fulfilled its purpose. As our first publication under this thematic group, this magazine represents more than a collection of articles. It reflects collaboration, intellectual curiosity, and a shared commitment to doing this work carefully and responsibly. We hope it invites you to read not only with interest, but with intention.

Thank you for being part of this conversation.