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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 email 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

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

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

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

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