“In essence, stabilization is about powerful states seeking to forge, secure or support a particular order, in line with their particular strategic objectives.” HPG May 2010 States of fragility: stabilization and its implication for humanitarian action.

Is the "stabilisation" effort becoming the prime objective of humanitarian assistance in mega natural disasters? Should HA be instrumental in stabilizing "wounded" countries, fragile/failed states?

Too much emphasis on security ??? Haiti MINUSTA Massif deployment US Army UNDSS security phase 3 HA at the airport UNDAC takes the lead Pakistan At least two open civil wars, and... Pakistan Army "incontournable" No foreign armies, although... UNDSS security phase 3

In contradiction to the security emphasis, natural disasters provoke access opportunities for principled (non-politicized) humanitarian assistance. ( Charities urge US to stop branding Pakistan aid items )

Is UN Humanitarian Leadership becoming a “myth” ? IASC Haiti Evaluation p.27 " In the future, suggestions that the humanitarian community in any context did not effectively lead or coordinate the response could potentially fuel a push towards humanitarian responses led by military forces which is already the case in some parts of Asia. It is imperative to review existing civ- mil coordination protocols and to consider how to make best use of the skills of military forces in leadership and decision-making, in operations led by humanitarian actors."

Some suggestions for the UN role in natural disasters Support, guide and correct the government in its humanitarian response Take stock of the national Civil Society Organizations (800 in Haiti before the quake, thousands in Pakistan) More Humanitarian Coordinators with extensive humanitarian (ngo) experience, to avoid top down management. Avoid monopoly of UN organizations and big NGO’s in Humanitarian Country Teams Check the credentials of incoming humanitarian actors (NGO certification process ??) Where has all the pooled funds money gone? Especially in rapid onsets bilateral funding much faster, and probably more appropriately allocated.

Conclusion We fully support the VOICE position paper on The UN-lead Humanitarian Reform Process The EU consensus on Humanitarian Aid can not be negotiated. Let us not be fooled by the Stabilization/security agenda, it is in the same range as ‘Regime Change’ Our beneficiaries need positive social/political and economical change, f.i. we need political leverage on the landownership issue….