Sir John Holmes - Former UN Emergency Relief Coordinator

In the midst of war or natural disaster, humanitarian aid can make the difference between life and death. But according to influential critics it can also exacerbate conflict, offer succour to tyrants and foster dangerous dependency.

HARDtalk speaks to Sir John Holmes, who was the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator during crisis in Sudan, Sri Lanka and Haiti. Today, emergency response is focused on Syria. Does humanitarian aid work for those who need it most?