In this chapter, we focus on the meanings and practices around humanitarianism in relation to pandemics. We explore how pandemics have pushed the bounds of humanitarianism, primarily at the macro level. We focus on the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the Global South and explore how the shifting nature of the HIV/AIDS pandemic juxtaposed with the notions of humanitarianism highlight several shortcomings and areas for improvement. We briefly explore the current COVID-19 pandemic that is poised to push our views of humanitarianism and is already elucidating the persistent inequities that lead to differentiated access to care. Considering pandemics and the notion of humanitarianism, the impact of a pandemic on social reform as well as whether the response to a pandemic will lead to reform are often called into question. We explore this concept by examining how the response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the recent COVID-19 pandemic illuminates persistent inequalities and the need for reform.