The tragedies of war, famine, disease and poverty continue to dominate the headlines. Faced with such tragedy, the politics, ethics, even the economics of humanitarian aid are becoming more complex. The role of relief agencies, the political will of the West, the reponsibilities of the international community for war crimes and human rights - these are all issues at the heart of contemporary humanitarian aid. This volume describing the plight of refugees and civilians caught up in war zones in both First and Third Worlds, the homeless, Gypsies, and AIDS/HIV groups in Europe and North America - highlights what can be done to alleviate human suffering in the future. The book concludes with reports from the frontline of the world's main conflict zones, in Bosnia, Liberia/Sierra Leone, Chechnya, Rwanda/Burundi and Sudan. Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders is the world's largest independent organization for emergency medical aid. Through 25 years of action, the organization has become famous for bringing swift and direct aid to peoples affected by war and natural disaster, regardless of government consent.