International assistance after conflict: health, transitional justice and opportunity costs

After violent conflicts, international actors face difficult choices about whether and how to provide assistance. These decisions can have immense consequences. As aid always occurs under conditions of scarcity, theoretical reflection is crucial reveal the opportunity costs potential tensions between alternative courses action. Yet there has been relatively little scholarly on what should constitute priorities for post-conflict assistance why. This paper advances this debate by comparing two very different areas that both embody compelling values goals: public health transitional justice. It argues deserves greater attention based powerful normative considerations its impressive empirical record. also suggests need examine not only clearly underperforming areas, but tough cases. Transitional justice, despite strong foundations, faces challenges limitations justify reform a reconsideration emphasis commonly placed it. Our intention suggest long-standing commitments ought be abandoned or all allocated health. Rather, scrutinising assistance, we hope start general discussion community best help societies heal after conflict.