Displaced persons crisis in Kosovo– what have we learnt?

Conflict in Kosovo caught the world’s attention at end of the 20th century, due in part to unprecedented military intervention by NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation). The resulting humanitarian crisis severely tested NATO’s credibility and the very concept of western humanitarianism. What have we learnt from the international community’s handling of the Kosovo crisis? What is an appropriate response in a given conflict situation? Research by the Refugee Studies Centre explores this question in relation to issues of prevention and preparedness for refugee outflows.