Members of the RRN will be familiar with the terrible drama being played out in Bosnia-Herzegovina through the extensive international media coverage. Though such coverage often focuses on the progress of relief efforts in relation to particular communities, it is difficult for those not directly involved in the relief operations to understand how they are organised and how such arrangements differ from the type of operation for which most RRN are familiar. Drawing on material from a recent study, this paper describes the effects of the conflict and the organisation of military protection for humanitarian assistance; and the organisation of the relief programme focusing on the role of UN agencies, NGOs and donor organisations.