Articles - Fred Cuny

Articles By Fred Cuny

Written insights from his work and study

Refugee Camps and Camp Planning: The State of the Art

June 1977 Disasters

Analyzes best practices and challenges in planning and managing refugee camps during emergencies.

The Lice Earthquake

December 1978 Disasters

Examines the response and relief efforts following the Lice earthquake, highlighting logistical and humanitarian issues.

Disasters and the Small Dwelling: The State of the Art

September 1978 Disasters

Explores disaster impacts on small-scale housing and strategies to improve resilience for vulnerable dwellings.

The Evaluation of Humanitarian Assistance

March 1979 Disasters

Critiques methods for assessing the effectiveness of humanitarian aid in disaster-affected regions.

Scenario for a Housing Improvement Program in Disaster‐Prone Areas

September 1979 Disasters

Proposes a framework for implementing housing improvements to reduce vulnerability in disaster-prone communities.

Research, Planning and Refugees

December 1979 Disasters

Highlights the role of systematic research in improving refugee camp planning and humanitarian interventions.

The Impact of Food Aid

March 1980 Disasters

Evaluates the short- and long-term consequences of food aid programs on affected populations.

What has to be Done to Increase the Effectiveness of Disaster Interventions

December 1985 Disasters

Outlines practical steps to enhance the efficiency and impact of disaster relief operations.

Cities Under Siege: Problems, Priorities and Programs

June 1994 Disasters

Assesses urban crises during conflicts and recommends priorities for aid and reconstruction programs.

Don’t Reward Milosevic’s Maneuver

October 1994 International Herald Tribune

Argues against political concessions to Slobodan Milosevic during the Balkan conflicts.

Coming Chechen Disaster: Killing Chechnya

April 1995 New York Review of Books

Warns of humanitarian catastrophe in Chechnya and critiques inadequate international response.

Articles About Fred Cuny

Perspectives on a humanitarian pioneer and his work

Looking for Trouble

March 1985 Texas Monthly

Profiles Fred Cuny’s proactive and unconventional approach to disaster relief work.

Disaster Relief Expert Believes in Self-Help Instead of Handouts

December 1986 The Wall Street Journal

Highlights Cuny’s philosophy of empowering communities rather than relying solely on aid handouts.

The World; With Luck and Ingenuity, Ethiopian Aid Gets Through

June 1990 New York Times

Describes Cuny’s innovative methods for delivering aid effectively in Ethiopia.

After the war; Long Memories Make the Kurds Distrust Hussein

April 1991 New York Times

Examines Kurdish wariness of Saddam Hussein post-Gulf War and Cuny’s involvement in relief efforts.

After the War; Kurds Reluctant to Return to Iraq

April 1991 New York Times

Reports on Kurdish hesitation to return home, illustrating the complexity of post-conflict resettlement.

After the War; U.N. Ready to Take U.S. Refugee Role

April 1991 New York Times

Details the UN stepping into refugee assistance roles previously managed by the U.S., with Cuny’s input.

After the War; Iraqis Pull Back in North; U.N. to Send Some Guards

May 1991 New York Times

Covers security and humanitarian arrangements in northern Iraq, highlighting logistical challenges.

Mission-minded: Dallas Man Confronts Disasters Hurting Third World’s Poor

July 1991 The Daily Dallas News

Profiles Cuny’s hands-on approach to mitigating disasters affecting impoverished populations.

U.S. Says Airlifts Fail Somali Needy

July 1992 New York Times

Critiques the inefficiency of U.S. humanitarian airlifts in Somalia, with Cuny’s perspectives included.

No Easy Fix For Somalia

September 1992 New York Times

Analyzes the complex political and logistical obstacles to effective relief in Somalia.

Foreign Affairs; Shoot to Feed Somalia

November 1992 New York Times

Discusses the ethical and strategic dilemmas in delivering aid under conflict conditions.

Abroad at Home; Action or Death

November 1992 New York Times

Reflects on the urgent moral imperatives facing aid workers like Cuny in crisis zones.

Abroad at Home; The Guilty Men

October 1993 New York Times

Examines accountability failures in international humanitarian responses, indirectly highlighting Cuny’s role.

Small Miracle in a Siege: Safe Water for Sarajevo

January 1994 New York Times

Details Cuny’s efforts to restore potable water under siege conditions in Sarajevo.

Sarajevo Cleans Up, Trolleys Roll, But It Remains a City Under Siege

March 1994 New York Times

Reports on Cuny’s contributions to sustaining urban infrastructure during ongoing conflict.

Bosnians, Not Serbs, Shut Off Sarajevo Water

October 1994 New York Times

A letter to the Editor stating that there are misattributions of responsibility for water shortages in Sarajevo.

Serbian Forces Cut Sarajevo Water Supply

October 1994 New York Times

A response to William Dorich that documents deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure amid the war.

In Chechnya, a Life-Saver May Need Saving Himself

April 1995 New York Times

Warns of the dangers facing aid workers like Cuny in Chechnya.

Russian Officials Report Finding Body of American Relief Expert

May 1995 New York Times

Reports on the discovery of Cuny’s body after his disappearance in Chechnya.

Where is Fred Cuny

June 1995 The Washington Post

Investigates the circumstances of Cuny’s disappearance while on a Chechen mission.

A Search in Chechnya: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

June 1995 New York Times

Reflects public concern and appeals for information on Cuny’s fate in Chechnya.

With Leads Fading, Son Presses Search for U.S. Relief Worker in Chechnya

July 1995 New York Times

Covers the ongoing efforts by Cuny’s family to locate him after his disappearance.

Russian Role Seen in Aid Worker’s Death

August 1995 New York Times

Examines possible involvement of Russian authorities in Cuny’s disappearance and death.

A Hero of Our Time

November 1995 The New York Review of Books

Celebrates Cuny’s legacy as a humanitarian innovator and risk-taker.

In Perspective: Fred Cuny: Formulator of Fast-Track Relief

June 1996 Perspectives in Health

Analyzes Cuny’s methods for rapid disaster response and reconstruction.

Compassionate Leadership

1996 The Ethical Spectacle

Highlights Cuny’s ethical and empathetic approach to leading humanitarian operations.

What Happened to Fred Cuny?

February 1996 New York Times

Explores the mystery and circumstances surrounding Cuny’s disappearance in Chechnya.

Frederick C. Cuny 1944–1995

March 1996 Disasters

Provides a scholarly obituary and overview of Cuny’s career and impact.

Correspondence

September 1996 Disasters

Shares reflections and letters regarding Cuny’s contributions to disaster management.

TELEVISION REVIEW; Tragedy And Futility In an Effort To Help

October 1997 New York Times

Reviews a program documenting Cuny’s humanitarian efforts and the systemic obstacles he faced.

Master of Disaster

May 1999 New York Times

Profiles Cuny’s pioneering work in disaster response and humanitarian logistics.

Chechen Group Trying to Ransom U.S. Aid Worker’s Remains

July 1999 New York Times

Reports on posthumous complications surrounding Cuny’s body in Chechnya.

Spy or Savior?

July 1999 The Nation

Examines controversies and suspicions surrounding Cuny’s humanitarian missions.

BOOKS OF THE TIMES; Capitalist and Accidental Humanitarian

March 2002 New York Times

Reviews Cuny’s life as an unconventional humanitarian who bridged technical skill with moral commitment.

A NATION AT WAR: The postwar task; U.S. overseer set to remake Iraq

April 2003 New York Times

Mentions Cuny’s influence on post-conflict reconstruction strategies in Iraq.

AFTEREFFECTS: THE INTERIM LEADER; American Overseer in Iraq Returns to a Kurdish Zone

April 2003 New York Times

Follows postwar aid operations and leadership challenges reminiscent of Cuny’s methods.

Jay Garner’s Missing Link

April 2003 Lew Rockwell

Analyzes gaps in humanitarian planning, referencing Cuny’s legacy in rapid relief.

The Rights Stuff

May 2003 New York Times

Considers ethical frameworks for postwar humanitarian and reconstruction efforts, linked to Cuny’s philosophy.

Fred Cuny (1944-1995) -- Disaster Relief Innovator

June 2006 Online Ethics Center

Profiles Cuny as a transformative figure in global disaster relief and emergency planning.

Beattie to Write Film about Fred Cuny

November 2007 Variety

Announces plans to adapt Cuny’s life and humanitarian exploits into a feature film.

The Exigent City

June 2008 New York Times

Explores urban crisis management, drawing on principles championed by Cuny.

Humanitarian Assistance

May 2014 The Handbook of Global Security Policy

Discusses best practices in humanitarian aid, citing Cuny’s innovations as a reference.

Ethical Quandaries in War Zones, When Mass Atrocity Prevention Fails

February 2016 Global Policy

Analyzes moral challenges in conflict zones, highlighting lessons from Cuny’s work.

The Relief Cowboy

October 16, 1995 The New Yorker

At a Washington gathering, friends and family remember Fred Cuny, the audacious, improvising engineer who redefined humanitarian relief.

Saving Sarajevo, from Below

November 15, 1993 The New Yorker

Fred Cuny’s renegade engineering mission to keep besieged Sarajevans warm, watered, and fed—without waiting for governments to act.

Archive - Articles

Articles By Fred Cuny

Refugee Camps and Camp Planning: The State of the Art

The Lice Earthquake

Disasters and the Small Dwelling: The State of the Art

The Evaluation of Humanitarian Assistance

Scenario for a Housing Improvement Program in Disaster‐Prone Areas

Research, Planning and Refugees

The Impact of Food Aid

What has to be Done to Increase the Effectiveness of Disaster Interventions

Cities Under Siege: Problems, Priorities and Programs

Don’t Reward Milosevic’s Maneuver

Coming Chechen Disaster: Killing Chechnya

Articles About Fred Cuny

Looking for Trouble

Disaster Relief Expert Believes in Self-Help Instead of Handouts

The World; With Luck and Ingenuity, Ethiopian Aid Gets Through

After the war; Long Memories Make the Kurds Distrust Hussein

After the War; Kurds Reluctant to Return to Iraq

After the War; U.N. Ready to Take U.S. Refugee Role

After the War; Iraqis Pull Back in North; U.N. to Send Some Guards

Mission-minded: Dallas Man Confronts Disasters Hurting Third World’s Poor

U.S. Says Airlifts Fail Somali Needy

No Easy Fix For Somalia

Foreign Affairs; Shoot to Feed Somalia

Abroad at Home; Action or Death

Abroad at Home; The Guilty Men

Small Miracle in a Siege: Safe Water for Sarajevo

Sarajevo Cleans Up, Trolleys Roll, But It Remains a City Under Siege

Bosnians, Not Serbs, Shut Off Sarajevo Water

Serbian Forces Cut Sarajevo Water Supply

In Chechnya, a Life-Saver May Need Saving Himself

Russian Officials Report Finding Body of American Relief Expert

Where is Fred Cuny

A Search in Chechnya: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

With Leads Fading, Son Presses Search for U.S. Relief Worker in Chechnya

Russian Role Seen in Aid Worker’s Death

A Hero of Our Time

In Perspective: Fred Cuny: Formulator of Fast-Track Relief

Compassionate Leadership

What Happened to Fred Cuny?

Frederick C. Cuny 1944–1995

Correspondence

TELEVISION REVIEW; Tragedy And Futility In an Effort To Help

Master of Disaster

Chechen Group Trying to Ransom U.S. Aid Worker’s Remains

Spy or Savior?

BOOKS OF THE TIMES; Capitalist and Accidental Humanitarian

A NATION AT WAR: The postwar task; U.S. overseer set to remake Iraq

AFTEREFFECTS: THE INTERIM LEADER; American Overseer in Iraq Returns to a Kurdish Zone

Jay Garner’s Missing Link

The Rights Stuff

Fred Cuny (1944-1995) -- Disaster Relief Innovator

Beattie to Write Film about Fred Cuny

The Exigent City

Humanitarian Assistance

Ethical Quandaries in War Zones, When Mass Atrocity Prevention Fails

The Relief Cowboy

Saving Sarajevo, from Below