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Does Peacekeeping Mitigate the Impact of Aid on Conflict? Peacekeeping, Humanitarian Aid and Violence Against Civilians

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  • Shenghao Zhang
  • Han Dorussen

Abstract

Peacekeeping has been found to be effective in containing conflict and civilian victimization, while the findings for the effect of aid on violence are indeterminate. So far the effects of peacekeeping and aid on violence have mainly been studied separately, this article investigates, at the subnational level, the effect of humanitarian aid on one-sided violence conditional on the deployment of peacekeeping forces. Although humanitarian aid can occasionally exacerbate violence, it is argued that peacekeepers reverse this unintended consequence of the provision of aid. We argue that they do so by means of sharing information and the provision of security bubbles. Empirically, we look at the coincidence of subnational location of humanitarian agencies and peacekeeping troops and find support for the idea that the effect of aid on violence against civilians is conditional on the presence of peacekeepers.

Suggested Citation

  • Shenghao Zhang & Han Dorussen, 2025. "Does Peacekeeping Mitigate the Impact of Aid on Conflict? Peacekeeping, Humanitarian Aid and Violence Against Civilians," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 69(9), pages 1524-1552, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jocore:v:69:y:2025:i:9:p:1524-1552
    DOI: 10.1177/00220027251315668
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gilligan, Michael J. & Sergenti, Ernest J., 2008. "Do UN Interventions Cause Peace? Using Matching to Improve Causal Inference," Quarterly Journal of Political Science, now publishers, vol. 3(2), pages 89-122, July.
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    5. Maekawa, Wakako, 2024. "United Nations peacekeeping operations and multilateral foreign aid: Credibility of good governance," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Miklian, Jason & van Dorp, Mark & Katsos, John, 2025. "Unlocking the peace premium: an evidence-based review of the potentials and pitfalls of private sector finance for conflict transformation," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 138551, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

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