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NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND PEACE OPERATIONS

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WORLD BANK NGO DEFINITION

“Private Organizations that pursue activities to relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services, or undertake community

development.”

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NGO’s

• Dramatic Growth beginning in 2d half of 20th Century

– Over the past several decades, NGOs have become major players in all international relief efforts, development, cause advocacy, and in advancing the concept of a “global civil society”

– Billions of dollars spent annually on relief and sustainable development programs

2005 earthquake in Pakistan

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WHY THE DRAMATIC GROWTH IN NGOs

• Negative Perception of the Welfare State

• Development Crisis

• Perceived Global Environmental Crisis

• Discrediting of Socialism

• Communications Revolution

• Global Economic Growth

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NGOs

• Overview– NGOs Play a Key Role in Humanitarian

Assistance and Development

– NGOs are the Rapid Response element for humanitarian disasters all over the world

– “Foot Soldiers” for International relief efforts

– Military in Peace Support Operations will have to work with NGOs

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HUMANITARIAN CRISIS RESPONSE ELEMENTS

• United Nations System (Agencies)

• Official National Donor Government Aid Agencies

• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

• International and National NGOs

• Coalition Military Forces

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GOAL IS: UNITY OF EFFORT

Achieved Through:

• Consensus

• Coordination

• Cooperation

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UNITY OF EFFORT

Must Be Achieved While Recognizing:

• Different Cultures of Response

Elements

• Disparate Assessments

• Different Missions & Tasks In Crisis

• Diverse Goals

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NGOs--WHAT THEY ARE NOT

• Not Governments…

• Not Businesses...

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ANOTHER DEFINITION OF AN NGO

“A Self-Governing Private, Not For Profit Organization That Is Geared Toward Improving The Quality Of Life Of Disadvantaged People”

Refugees - Kosovo

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The term NGO is very broad and encompasses many different types of organizations

• Advocacy NGOs• Operational NGOs

– Relief– Development

NGO TYPES

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ADVOCACY NGOs

•Their primary purpose is to defend or promote a specific cause and to influence policies and practices

•Examples: Amnesty International and the

Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)

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OPERATIONAL NGOs

• Their primary purpose is field work in humanitarian relief and design, development and implementation of development related projects.

• Operational NGOs are the one’s the military must work with in a cooperative relationship in a PSO

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NGOs IN HUMANITARIAN CRISES Provide Life Saving Interventions

• Food Distribution

• Shelter

• Water

• Sanitation

• Medical Care

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OPERATIONAL NGOs ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORKS

• Headquarters in one Country (ICRC)

• Many Autonomous National Chapters (Save the

Children)

• Many National Fund Raising Offices, Pooled

Funds, With A Single World-Wide Field

Organization (World Vision)

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OPERATIONAL NGOs ORGANIZATIONAL

FRAMEWORKS (cont.)

• Autonomous National Headquarters with Field

Organization. Work Assigned by Central

International Organization (CARE)

• Field Work Done Only Through Indigenous

Local NGOs (Oxfam America)

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NGO “CULTURE”

SURVEY QUESTION:

• Why Work In Relief/Development?– Altruistic—Concern for

Others– Financial ---Make Money

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ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURES

MILITARY• Controlled Application of

Violence• Hierarchical• Generally Conservative• Explicit Mission

Statements• Not Comfortable With

NGOs

NGO• Help The

Disadvantaged• Non-Hierarchical• Generally Liberal• Intangible Missions• Not Comfortable With

The Military

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NGO “CULTURE”

Typical Western NGO:

• Young & Idealistic

• Liberal Arts Degree

• Believes in Sustainable Development

• Little Formal Operational Doctrine

• Few Formal Training Courses

• Significant Organizational Competition

• Increasing Security Concerns

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VOLUNTARY CODE OF CONDUCTFOR RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS

• Humanitarian Imperative Comes First

• Aid Is Given Regardless of Race, Creed or Nationality on the Basis of Need Alone

• Aid Will Not Be Used To Further a Particular Political or Religious Standpoint

• We Shall Endeavor Not To Act As Instruments of Government Foreign Policy

• We Shall Respect Culture & Custom

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VOLUNTARY CODE OF CONDUCT (cont.)

• Build Disaster Response On Local Capacities

• Involve Program Beneficiaries In The Management of Relief Aid

• Reduce Future Vulnerabilities As Well As Meet Basic Needs

• NGOs Accountable Both To Beneficiaries & Contributors

• Disaster Victims Are Dignified Humans, Not Hopeless Objects

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GOVERNING PRINCIPLES

• Humanity

• Impartiality

• Neutrality

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UNITED NATIONS AND NGOs

• UN Charter– Articles 63 and 64

– Article 71

• UN General Assembly Resolution 43/131– Importance of NGOs

– States to Facilitate Work of NGOs

– States to Support to NGOs

– Cooperation With Humanitarian Assistance Organizations Set Up by UN

• Security Council Chapter 7 Authority to Authorize NGO Humanitarian Relief

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RISKS TO NGOs & HUMANITARIAN AID WORKERS

• Dangerous Environment• 1994 Safety Convention – Not Solution• Safety Needs – Acceptance, Protection

& Deterrence• Safety Aids – Information, Planning,

Training, Coordination, Psychological Assistance

• Security Council Responsibilities• When to Go / When to Stay

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NGO STRENGTHS (World Bank Study)

• Strong grassroots links

• Field based development expertise

• Ability to innovate and adapt

• Process oriented approach to development

• Participatory methodologies and tools

• Long-term commitment and emphasis on sustainability

• Cost effectiveness

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CRITICISM OF NGOs

• Have Lost Their Independence--Just Another Arm Of Governments

• Too Close To The Corporate World

• Fund Raising Is Their Primary Concern

• Excessive Living Standards In The Midst Of Poverty

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FIELD COOPERATION MECHANISMS• Coordination Lead Designated by UN• Humanitarian Operations Coordinating

Committees (HOCCs)• On-Site Operations Coordinating Centers

(OSOCC)• Civil Military Operations Centers (CMOC)• Civil Military Integration Centers (CIMIC)

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SUMMARY• Many Participants in Peace Operation

• NGOs Play A Key Role In Humanitarian Assistance

• Absolutely Necessary To:– UNDERSTAND THE “PLAYERS” – COORDINATION MECHANISMS– PURSUE UNITY OF EFFORT BY EMPHASIZING:

COOPERATION-COORDINATION-CONSENSUS

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