Contribution short abstract:

In this chapter, I employ a feminist care ethics to explore the everyday dynamics and interactions of humanitarian action in crises-affected Putumayo department in Colombia. Research participants oppose universalist, top-down humanitarian actions and illustratre alternative and situated practices.

Contribution long abstract:

Populations in Putumayo, Colombia face different humanitarian crises, as a result of armed violence, drug trafficking, the impact of disasters and the neglect of state institutions. In this convergence, I was able to identify the ways in which such crises are managed, the actors who decided to respond and who were perceived as deserving of humanitarian support.

Research participants challenged the notion of exceptional and temporary responses needed to such crises. In addition, they presented a critical view on the lack of state and humanitarian responses and questioned short-term forms of humanitarian support, for example, cash transfers. Conversely, they aimed at long-lasting responses and also brought in the non-material support they need to overcome the crisis.

Inscribed in non-dominant forms of doing humanitarian action, this chapter seeks to understand how the vernacular practices of populations in Putumayo in times of crises can be situated within the notion of a feminist ethics of care as an alternative.