Emergency Sex (And Other Desperate Measures)

Emergency Sex (And Other Desperate Measures) chronicles the experiences of three UN peacekeepers during humanitarian missions in the 1990s. Through alternating first-person accounts, Kenneth Cain, Heidi Postlewait, and Andrew Thomson document their work in Cambodia, Haiti, Somalia, Rwanda, Liberia, and Bosnia. The narrative follows their transformation from idealistic young professionals to battle-tested aid workers confronting the realities of war zones. Each author brings a distinct perspective: Cain as a human rights lawyer, Postlewait as a social worker, and Thomson as a New Zealand physician. Their accounts span nearly a decade of UN peacekeeping operations, revealing both successes and failures in international humanitarian intervention. The authors describe their personal struggles alongside their professional challenges in conflict zones. The memoir raises questions about the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions and the psychological toll of humanitarian work. Through their experiences, the book examines the gap between institutional ideals and ground-level realities in crisis response.

Readers describe this as a raw, unflinching look at UN peacekeeping operations through the eyes of three aid workers. Many note its honest portrayal of idealism confronting harsh realities in conflict zones. Likes: - Personal, diary-style narratives that show both successes and failures - Details of daily life in crisis zones - Clear explanations of complex political situations - Documentation of UN system problems and corruption Dislikes: - Some readers found the personal relationship details unnecessary - A few felt it was too critical of the UN - Others wanted more focus on policy solutions rather than personal experiences Ratings: Goodreads: 4.08/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (280+ ratings) Notable reader comment: "Shows the human cost of bureaucratic failure and indifference in crisis zones. The authors don't hide their own mistakes and flaws." - Goodreads reviewer The book remains banned by the UN for its criticisms of peacekeeping operations.

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🔸 The book caused significant controversy at the UN when published in 2004, leading to policy changes regarding UN staff members' ability to publish accounts of their experiences. 🔸 All three authors met while working for UN peacekeeping operations in Cambodia in the early 1990s and continued their friendship through assignments in Somalia, Haiti, Rwanda, and Liberia. 🔸 Heidi Postlewait was nearly fired from her UN position for co-authoring the book, which exposed corruption, mismanagement, and sexual misconduct within UN operations. 🔸 The title comes from the phenomenon of aid workers and peacekeepers seeking intimate connections during times of extreme stress and danger in war zones. 🔸 The book's revelations about UN peacekeepers' failures during the Rwandan genocide contributed to broader public understanding of the international community's inadequate response to the crisis.