Who Are These Guys? Non-Governmental Organizations in Humanitarian Relief Operations.
Abstract : The purpose of this paper it to provide an understanding of how to deal with nongovernmental organizations during a humanitarian relief operation. Examples and lessons are drawn from the following humanitarian relief operations: Provide Comfort in Northern Iraq in 1991 (helping the Kurds); Restore Hope in Somalia in 1992 and 1993; and Support Hope in Rwanda in 1994. I have described the players in humanitarian relief operations, described their interaction during the execution of relief operations, and provided some lessons learned for future relief and peacekeeping operations. An integral part of understanding of how the international relief community works is understanding the role of the various United Nations and United States agencies that coordinate relief efforts.
Organizing for Disaster: Improving U.S. Foreign Humanitarian Assistance Operations
Abstract : U.S. Government (USG) agencies provide foreign humanitarian assistance (FHA) every year to disaster victims around the world. The ability to rapidly provide humanitarian aid serves America's national interests, but USG interagency coordination for FHA remains ad hoc at the operational level. For its part, the U.S. military is not fully prepared for the unique operational challenges of FHA. Consequently, valuable time is often lost improvising a USG response after a crisis occurs. The operational-level framework for a USG response must be in place before a foreign disaster strikes. The principles and functions of FHA are distinctive at the operational level, and participating USG agencies have unique roles and responsibilities for organizing FHA operations. Unfortunately, the lack of interagency guidance has promoted an ad hoc approach to organizing FHA operations that has hampered past relief efforts. Several measures can be taken in order to better prepare for future FHA operations. These include pre-designating and training the Joint Task Force (JTF) commander and staff for FHA; developing interagency doctrine for organizing FHA operations; and over the long term, forming a standing Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) for FHA.
Military Relations with Humanitarian Relief Organizations: Observations from Restore Hope
Abstract : Operation RESTORE HOPE, the December 1992 U.S. Military intervention in Somalia, was a significant military operation that coincided with a massive relief effort. One aspect of the operation that was fairly new to many Marines there, and to our military as a whole, was the degree of interaction with workers from Humanitarian Relief Organizations (HROs). Although both the military and the HRSs accomplished their missions in Somalia, relations between the two groups were sometimes strained. In future operations--in which the threat might be greater and closer cooperation necessary--military-HRO relations may need to be better. As part of the CNA RESTORE HOPE reconstruction project, this paper examines military-HRO relations in that operation. The paper draws on the RESTORE HOPE experience so that future commanders can better understand the complexities of military-HRO relations. In the paper, we review various aspects of the relationship, identify the causes of the problems between the groups, and suggest options that commanders consider for improving relations in future operations. Disasters, Foreign aid, International relation, Joint military operations, Military assistance, Military operations, Operation restore hope, Somalia, United Nations.