In this, the definitive story of the twentieth century's greatest refugee crises, the woman who led the international response recounts her experiences and the lessons she has learned. A tireless advocate for the victims of war, Sadako Ogata tells the story at the scene of four crises in which she directed relief: Iraq, the Balkans, the African Great Lakes region and Afghanistan. She explores issues of refugee protection and humanitarian assistance; coordination between humanitarian organisations, NATO and other military forces; and the global political and strategic climate in which these crises occurred. She asks the world community to assess the limits of humanitarian action and to work towards real political solutions when conflicts arise. No one is in a better position to tell this essential post-Cold War story than Ogata, who travelled to crisis spots to lead the world in confronting the tragedy of the displaced.