Providing guidance for the military working on humanitarian emergencies, this handbook is specifically aimed at members of Armed Forces working with UNHCR in peace support operations. It contains the following chapters:

- Military humanitarian context
- Organizations and responsibilities
- Guiding principles and legal frameworks for humanitarian action
- Cooperation and coordination in emergency operations
- Humanitarian implications of peace support activities in emergency operations
- Military tasks in support of UNHCR in emergency operations
- Organizational culture of UNHCR

The handbook has been compiled from both military and civilian sources, with much of the text derived from interviews with UN peacekeepers and UNHCR staff members who have worked together in emergency operations in the field, and has also had input from experienced members of the military and national defence institutions.