Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Complex Emergencies

1. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Complex Emergencies The Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance

2. Objectives • Define the NGO system and types of NGOs • Discuss the NGO strengths & weaknesses • Describe critical civil-military relationship issues • Describe current issues and challenges to NGO function

3. NGO Community Broad definition: • Every organization in society which is not part of government, and which operates in civil society Source: The Commonwealth Foundation, February,1996

4. Membership skilled professionals expatriates staff local staff volunteers/members skilled/unskilled active/non-active administrators (HQ) bureaucrats Mandate Geneva Conventions agreements with UN agencies host nation agreement CNN Effect Board of Directors/charters Humanitarian Principles NGO Community

5. Humanity Impartiality Neutrality Independence Voluntary Unity Universality Humanitarian Principles Which Define & Protect the NGOs

6. NGO Characteristics Four defining characteristics: 1. Voluntary 2. Independent 3. Not-for-profit 4. Not self-serving in aims and related values Source: The Commonwealth Foundation, February,1996

7. Overarching NGO Values • HUMANITARIANISM • ‘A core set of values subscribed to by different organizations, including those working under the banner of development or conflict resolution which seek to promote human welfare.’ Source: Dylan Hendrickson, Humanitarian action: the new agenda, RRN No 25, 1998.

8. NGO Diversity • Size • Operating Styles • Geographic Focus • Religious background • Programmatic Orientation Source: Paula Hoy, Players and Issues in International Aid, 1998

9. Confusion Relief Development • Roles • Responsibilities • Capabilities • Limitations • Acronyms! indigenous Advocacy grassroots PVO NGO HRO Technology

10. Development NGOs • Consistent with national interest • Long-term goals • Attempt to address the concerns of the unprivileged and under-served in the Third World through: • primary healthcare • agricultural assistance • provision of basic services and education

11. Advocacy NGOs • Evolving presence and system • Often a repository of local laws/have critical knowledge of local “actors” • Work at various levels • field/country • HQ

12. Disaster-Relief NGOs • “Apolitical” • Food and relief are “Above the battle” • Claim “Right of intervention” • Many suffer from “pious hyperbole” in advertising Hugo Slim

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14. CARE World Vision Catholic Relief Services Save the Children International Medical Corps Médecins sans Frontières Mercy Corps Africare Concern World Relief OXFAM AmeriCares Major NGOs * Represent 95% of participating NGOs

15. Doctors of the World World (IRISH) Concern Adventist Dev. & Relief Int. Food for the Hungry International Rescue Committee Lutheran World Relief Refugees International American Friends Svc. International Aid American Refugee Com. Joint Relief International Major NGOs * Represent 95% of participating NGOs

16. NGO Strengths • Critical recipient level humanitarian work • Small size - less bureaucratic, cheaper & more cost-effective • Increased scope and independence • Access to local knowledge • Non-partisanship essential to security • Humanitarian work protected by international convention Source: Paula Hoy, Players and Issues in International Aid, 1998

17. Reception Area Photo: R. Brennan NGO Strengths Health Clinic Medicines Potable Water Photo: R. Brennan

18. Sphere Standards • Minimum Standards in disaster response: • water supply and sanitation • nutrition • food aid • shelter and site planning • health services

19. NGOs Weaknesses • Not homogenous system • Lack of collaboration • Small size • Identify projects where they have expertise • Failure to see the ‘big picture’ • Dependence on government funding erodes independence Source: Paula Hoy, Players and Issues in International Aid, 1998

20. Prestigious Profitable Political color to advocacy Tension between FO and funders Idealistic Underpaid Independent Tension between HQ and projects Dichotomous View Headquarters Field Workers

21. NGO Threat to Governments • NGOs/Donor government seen as POWERFUL and SKILLFUL • National government seen asWEAKand ILL-EQUIPPED

22. Military Role

23. Civil-Military Tensions • Cultural level • “tree-hugging” NGO • “jar-head” soldier • Professional level • different operating systems • different acronyms

24. Cultural Level Tensions • Mismatch of backgrounds • Ambivalence to accept as allies and partners • Admiration and resistance • Turf Issues • Image makers *Hugo Slim

25. Professional Level Tensions • Military perceived as insensitive, ill informed • “Sledge Hammer” response seen as liability • All come into direct armed conflict • Fail by association *Hugo Slim

26. Operational Security Concerns for NGOs • Personal Security • Stress Management • Communication within & among relief organizations

27. Dilemmas Caused by Aid in Current Conflict • Cover for guerrillas • Refugees become hostages • Fuels conflict • Base to militant groups Photo: UNHCR

28. QUESTIONS?