In the Price of Indifference, Arthur Helton proposed establishment of an inter-governmental mechanism for Strategic Humanitarian Action and Research (SHARE) to prod the United Nations into improving its capacity to assist, protect and find solutions for refugees and displaced persons. This article takes Helton's challenge to the United Nations as its point of departure: if the UN were to commit itself to such improvements, what institutional steps would it need to take to fulfil Helton's vision? The article recommends a fundamental rethinking of the organizational arrangements for refugees and displaced persons as well as more effective mechanisms for international, regional and national coordination of humanitarian responses. In particular, the article recommends appointment of a UN High Commissioner for Forced Migrants, who would assume the responsibilities of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees but go well beyond in addressing the protection and assistance of other displaced persons. © Oxford University Press 2004.

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forced migration refugee institutional reform United Nations