^{How neutrality plays a role in our happiness and success in our lives.}

 If we remain neutral in any matter, we will surely succeed.

  Example : 

                 Political, Study, games, etc. We can go on saying a lot like this, We are unselfish in all things that is what we call neutrality.

                   Success or Failure If we remain neutral during that time, we will surely succeed.

                 We fail to maintain neutrality most of the time.

                  If we neutralize everything, whether it is the opinion of the one who wants it or the opinion of the one who does not want it, then we will definitely say that we are neutral.

How Important is Neutrality in Providing Humanitarian Assistance?

  The debate surrounding traditional, or ‘old’, humanitarianism and ‘new’ humanitarianism is still very much relevant today as it is yet to be decided which has the more effective tenets for humanitarian organizations and agencies to abide by. As the preeminent proponent of traditional humanitarianism, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) defines humanitarian assistance as “the impartial, independent, and neutral provision of relief to those in immediate need because of conflict and natural disasters,” (Barnett and Weiss, 2008: 5). However, a new perspective on the role of humanitarianism has gained popularity since the late 1960s, following the Biafran War, which is dedicated to tackling the structural causes of poverty and suffering 

 ‘New’ humanitarianism revolves around the agenda of protecting human rights and is associated with the provision of sustainable aid, as opposed to only relief, in the form of reconstruction and peacebuilding (Abiew, 2012: 204). Thus, many newly-formed organizations, such as Médecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), and other like-minded pre-existing ones insisted that humanitarianism should go beyond the parameters defined by ‘old’ humanitarianism “in the conviction that aid had to become more political and break free of its original neutral principles if it was to become effective and morally coherent,” (Rieff, “Humanitarianism in Crisis,” 2002: 112-113).

This leads one to question how important neutrality is in providing humanitarian assistance. In order to answer this question, it is first important to discuss what being ‘neutral’ connotes. ‘Neutrality’ is a highly contested concept, comparable to the likes of ‘power’ and ‘democracy’ (Rieffer-Flanagan 2009: 892). Simply put, “to be neutral means not to favor either side, and not to care who wins and loses,” (Seybolt 1996). More specifically in the context of conflict, neutrality is the principle of abstention from any action that may further the interests of either party to a conflict (Weller, 1997: 443). The ICRC perceives neutrality to be essential as “in order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature,” (Plattner, 1996: 168). Neutrality is often mistaken to be the same as impartiality, but impartiality implies a positive duty to take equal action towards both parties of a conflict whereas neutrality implies negative limitations to not take actions which could be perceived as favouring one party over the other (Forsythe, 2005: 175).

This essay will argue that the importance of neutrality in humanitarian assistance is dependent on the goal desired, whether that is short-term relief or long-term peacebuilding. Furthermore, this essay argues that neutrality is a key means, not an end, for the provision of humanitarian assistance because while long-term peacebuilding is desirable in theory, it is highly problematic to execute in practice. Firstly, this essay will discuss the advantages of maintaining neutrality in the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Next, the shortcomings of maintaining neutrality will be outlined. Lastly, this essay will conclude by highlighting how despite the difficulties of doing so, humanitarian actors can and should still strive to remain neutral.