1 NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND PEACE OPERATIONS

2 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.”

3 NGO’s Dramatic Growth beginning in 2d half of 20 th 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

4 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

5 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

6 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

7 GOAL IS: UNITY OF EFFORT Achieved Through: Consensus Coordination Cooperation

8 UNITY OF EFFORT Must Be Achieved While Recognizing: Different Cultures of Response Elements Disparate Assessments Different Missions & Tasks In Crisis Diverse Goals

9 NGOs--WHAT THEY ARE NOT Not Governments… Not Businesses...

10 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

11 The term NGO is very broad and encompasses many different types of organizations Advocacy NGOs Operational NGOs –Relief –Development NGO TYPES

12 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)

13 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

14 NGOs IN HUMANITARIAN CRISES Provide Life Saving Interventions Food Distribution Shelter Water Sanitation Medical Care

15 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)

16 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)

17 NGO “CULTURE” SURVEY QUESTION: Why Work In Relief/Development? –Altruistic—Concern for Others –Financial ---Make Money

18 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

19 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

20 VOLUNTARY CODE OF CONDUCT FOR 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

21 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

22 GOVERNING PRINCIPLES Humanity Impartiality Neutrality

23 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

24 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

25 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

26 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

27 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)

28 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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