1. MNCC and Humanitarian Coordination Venues:
Multinational Coordination Centers - MNCC
09 December 2017

2. Agenda References Background Purpose Assumptions Tasks Organization &
Structure
Overarching Relief Process
Requests for Assistance (RFAs)

3. References
Multinational Force Standing Operating Procedures (MNF SOP), ver. 3.1
Part D, Chapter 1, Annex C, Appendix 7 (HA/DR Multinational Coordination Center)
MNF SOP
MNF SOP HA/DR Annex
(See also MNCC section of HA/DR CONOPS in Appendix 6 of MNF SOP HADR Procedures)

4. Background
Multinational military operations require coordination between militaries – normally done by:
Exchange of Liaison
Establishment of a Multinational Staff Coordination Process Cross-Functional Elements (aka Board, Bureau, Cell, Center or Work Group)
Combination of Liaison and Cross Functional Organizations
There are generally two types of Multinational Coordination Centers (“MNCC”):
CTF (Coalition or Combined Task Force) MNCC
HA/DR (Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Relief) MNCC

5. Purpose
A MNCC is a multinational coordination center that facilitates coordination and cooperation of foreign military forces with the Affected State to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) missions
The MNCC organization and tasks should be tailored to the situation
Once the foreign military forces members have agreed upon
specific MNCC tasks and organization,
they can develop detailed procedures

6. Purpose Two key differences between the CTF MNCC and a HA/DR MNCC:
HA/DR MNCC does not rely upon formal command relationships among military forces
HA/DR MNCC will operate at the UNCLASSIFIED level of information sharing
MNCC operations should be limited such as NOT to usurp the proper coordination mechanisms of the Affected State’s national disaster management system, and …
The MNCC should confine coordination to providing support to civilian efforts by coordinating multilateral military unique capabilities

7. Assumptions
The Affected State still exercises sovereignty and is functioning throughout the country
The Affected State government (including its military) is able to generally prioritize and coordinate requirements and make these requirements known to international disaster response agencies and other countries
The Affected State government has a designated National Disaster Management Organization / Local Emergency Management Authority (NDMO / LEMA) or at least key points of contact for international assistance

8. Assumptions
Most foreign military assistance will be based on existing or new bilateral or multilateral arrangements
Non-military coordinating mechanisms will most likely be operational and should be factored in to the foreign militaries’ planning
Humanitarian mechanisms (Cluster Approach, UNDAC, CMCoord, OSOCC / Virtual OSOCC, HOC, UNHAS, etc.)
Regional mechanisms (ASEAN AHA Centre, SASOP, ERAT, etc.)
Validity of these assumptions may cause these procedures to be modified

9. Tasks Deconflict operations in the same geographical area
Coordinate needs assessments with Affected State, United Nations and other assisting humanitarian organizations
Avoid duplication of assets and capabilities (subject to political considerations of the foreign military force countries) to the greatest extent possible
Prioritize military support in support
of Affected State priorities; this
includes assisting and supporting the Humanitarian Community

10. Tasks
Establish liaison with appropriate host nation / Affected State civil government, relief agencies, and military; the Humanitarian Community; etc.
If not done by the host nation / Affected State, establish an unclassified local area network (LAN), internet and network for communications and information sharing among all Affected State, Assisting States, Humanitarian Community
In conjunction with the host nation / Affected State, and Humanitarian Community, develop appropriate transition / engagement / disengagement criteria and a transition plan for multinational military support

11. Organization & Structure
Director: From the Affected State
Organized into cells to facilitate tasks of coordination between militaries in support of the Affected State and Humanitarian Community (organization can vary):
Information-sharing Cell
Request for Assistance (RFA) Cell
Operations Cell
Planning Cell
Civil-military (Humanitarian /Affected State) Coordination cells
Public Affairs / Media
Note: leadership & organization will likely change to adjust to developments in the situation / requirements

12. Overarching Relief Process
Needs Analysis:
Basic Needs
- Available Resources
Outstanding Requirements
Information
Sharing
Needs
Assessments:
(Identify Needs and Available
Capabilities & Resources)
Appeals
& RFAs:
Outstanding Requirements
It is essential that militaries understand the organizational & procedural environment of HA and DR operations in order to effectively plan and execute the assistance and relief operations properly.
This model captures the continuous, cyclic nature of the overarching relief process. The one item that is absolutely critical to this process is information sharing among all the parties – something that, unfortunately, needs significant improvement if assistance & relief operations are to be improved.
A natural disaster may occur, or a complex humanitarian emergency may develop due to on-going civil strife. Regardless of the cause of the crisis, humanitarian needs that exceed local capacity are generated. These needs can be classified into immediate & long-term needs.
Immediate needs are those required to save lives and mitigate immediate human suffering (emergency needs), including: search & rescue, water and sanitation / hygiene, food and nutrition, shelter, medical, security, safety of affected population and relief workers, etc. These must be addressed in the emergency phase of an operation.
Long-term needs are those required to restore some sense of normalcy, including: rehabilitation, reconstruction and development of future security plans, etc..
Host nation agencies (if still functioning) and various HC organizations conduct needs assessments on the extent of the disaster / emergency and the needs / requirements. Assessments also include determining the capabilities & resources of various relief organizations, including international militaries, if they are part of the HA effort.
Needs / Requirements include: data on the population affected (numbers, location, health situation, etc.), identification of vulnerable populations, rescue requirements, damage to infrastructure (required for transportation, shelter, sanitation, etc.), condition of life sustaining resources (water and food supplies), security situation, etc.
Capabilities / Resources include: relief organizations; government agencies; coordinating mechanisms; availability of infrastructure, civil assets, military assets, relief supplies; etc.
A needs analysis is an essential component of the relief process. Assuming needs assessments are valid, requirements and capabilities are analyzed to determine any outstanding (unfilled) needs / requirements which are then the subject of appeals to the international community and donors, and to specific requests for assistance (RFAs). International militaries may receive RFAs to provide immediate life saving supplies, transportation, or security. The fulfillment of RFAs by military forces is often subject to the policies of the governments participating. Local commanders and forces may be delegated authority to determine the ability to respond to a RFA. Often, policies allow tactical forces to provide immediate life-saving assistance, such as emergency rescue of persons in distress, and international and humanitarian law dictate responses.
While this model conveys the impression of an orderly process, due to the large number of different organizations with their own missions and sometimes competing agendas, the process is chaotic, especially in DR operations.
Due to the large number of actors, information sharing among as many organizations as possible is essential to minimize confusion, gaps and overlaps in the distribution of HA, and to prevent death or injury to HC workers, especially if there is a security threat.
There are various organizations and mechanisms by which information is shared. It must be realized, however, that there is not one organization or process that contains all the information required for an efficient overarching relief process.
Gathering & sharing of information is often hampered by (1) disruption among the affected population, government and relief agencies, (2) non-existent, damaged or overloaded information-sharing systems and infrastructure, (3) inadequate coordination between organizations, (4) differing standards for data collected, and (5) differing priorities and goals of the organizations involved, to name a few factors.
Relief / Donor Action:
Aid / Resource Delivery
Needs
Crisis

13. Request for Assistance (RFA) for Military Support to Humanitarian Aid
RFA Process Flow
Appeal via UN MCDA Process?
Local needs potentially
filled by UN MCDA process
RFA submitted to Geneva for Worldwide MCDA Request
Militaries capable?
Need filled by other Military
RFA submitted to Assisting State Militaries through MNCC
On site military capable?
Need filled by on-site Military
RFA submitted to local military
at Disaster Site for immediate
(not to interfere response) *
* Only if authorized and legal per assisting nation procedures
On site UN / NGO capable?
Need filled by UN / NGO
Host Nation capable?
Need filled by Host Nation
Local needs identified through assessments

15. MPAT TE 32
Questions?