1. Head of Operations for East Asia, Southeast Asia
Humanitarian Ambition for the 21st Century – Challenge for South East Asia
10 th Annual South-East Asia Red Cross and Red Crescent Leaders Meeting
March 25-27, 2013
Alain Aeschlimann
Head of Operations for East Asia, Southeast Asia
and the Pacific, ICRC

2. Global environment and trends 1
1. Geo-Political shift
New world order, new challenges for “universal” norms, new strategic landscape
increased discussion/disagreement
Rapidity of changes; dealing with the unexpected
2. Socio-economic dimensions: increased pressure on people
Socio-economic disparity, inequalities
Financial & food price crisis, volatility
Access to resources, competition
more humanitarian needs, unrest & armed conflict 2

3. Global environment and trends 2
3. Mega trends/non traditional security issues
Migration
Deterioration of the environment, climate change
Scale & impact of natural & tech disasters
Impact of new information technologies
Power of THE individual: new ways to inform and mobilize ->communities of interest
People affected + beneficiaries
Entire societies concerned (Tunisia, Syria, Europe, Asia); law & order, ‘chain of command’
‘New’ actors and networks 3

4. Global environment and trends 3
4. Increasing complexity of conflicts
Diversity of nature
Post 9/11 stream; "Arab spring", interconnection
Duration; immediate & long lasting consequences
War/illegal economies, growing interconnections between conflict and organized crime
Fragmentation of non-state armed groups; proliferation of political entities; predatory actions
Violence between communities, urban settings
Widespread insecurity; lawlessness; failed states 4

5. Global environment and trends 4
5. Evolving means and methods of warfare
Technological developments
new weapons and weapons systems (remotely contolled, UMV (e.g.drones) (IHL issues)
Cyber warfare
potentially significant humanitarian effects, attacher's identify? no geographical boundaries?
Distinction between civilians and combatants
civilians involved in combat-related activities
combattants fail to distinguish themselves 5

6. Southeast Asia environment + trends 1
Economic growth, regional integration, stability
Strong states Major natural disasters, climate change
Increase of population, disparity, food security
Limited numbers of localised conflicts and violence, remnants of extremist islamism
Weapons race, South China Sea, border disputes 6

7. Southeast Asia environment + trends 2
Intercommunity, ethnic underlying tensions
Migration
Mines and UXO contamination
Closure when tense situations, not acknowledgment of sensitive issues, reluctance with protection activ.
Out of ASEAN/Asia, limited interest/involvement in international humanitarian issues/debate: link economic power  international responsibility 7

8. Global humanitarian trends/challenges 1
More assertive states: controlling humanitarian aid; but failed states
Declining capabilities in emergency phases (conflict)
Development narrative versus emergency/humanitarian narrative
Lack of distinctiveness: political, military and humanitarian action
comprehensive/ integrated approach-missions
instrumentation/integration: military projection, stabilization
involvment of military in disaster relief/humanitarian assistance 8

9. Global Humanitarian trends/challenges 2
Multiplication of actors to humanitarian crisis (military, UN, NGOs, NS, private sector, faith based organisations, new NGOs, etc.)
humanitarian competition
challenge of coordination and cooperation
more outsourcing by UN and internat. NGOs
new families of actors
Privatisation of aid / use private contractors
Increased security risks 9

10. Global Humanitarian trends/challenges 3
Debate on (&shrinking of) humanitarian principles
Conditionality of aid: humanitarian agenda versus donors agenda
Less funding appetite and declining ambition from traditional donors 10

11. Global Humanitarian trends/challenges 4
Towards a more sustainable and systemic aid ?
prevention and preparedness, early warning
coordination and holistic approach
improvement of quality of data and sharing of it
compliance with national development policies
empowerment of local capacities
resilience and participatory approach
early recovery and rehabilitation
cooperation and parnterships 11

12. Southeast Asia Humanitarian trends/challenges
New actors notably from the private sector
Involvement of armies in disaster relief and inter-armies cooperation
Will of states to coordinate
Misinterpretation of the auxiliary role of NS by states (“NS as humanitarian arm of the government”)
New regional bodies related to humanitarian activities (ASEAN: AHA, IOC:ICHAD
Limited funding for internat. operations/organisations 12

13. Way ahead and ambitions 1
1. Demonstrate our principled approach
Neutral, independent & impartial approach
‘prove it’, credibility & predictability
action not intention, stick to our identity
Look for more effective and predictable “red response”: Movement coordin., shared vision, one voice/narrative, complementary action, local-global link, red CAP
Credibility, transparency, professionalism
Making the difference in emergencies as first responders 13

14. Way ahead and ambitions 2
Ability & legitimacy to operate
acceptance -> access -> security ->direct delivery
Security management
Better integration of people in need in our action
variety of needs & strengthen resilience -> to adapt our responses
independant evaluation of needs, honesty
no concession on impartiality
Dialogue with all stakeholder/actors: innovative 14

15. Way ahead and ambitions 3
2. To capitalize on our diversity:same same but different
Diversity of situations & needs
adapt response to each situation, impact
emergency AND early recovery
Advocate for more support of Asian States for international operations +more interaction
Strengthen ICRC protection activ. and neutral +independent intermediary role 15

16. Way ahead and ambitions 4
Partnerships
Increased partnerships/consortium while remaining principled: coordination with not by
Primary partnerships with Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Competences & services: Capacity building/ reinforcing, rapid deployment, preparedness, health, watsan, RFL,information technologies, etc
Thematic: migration, health care in danger, IHL and humanitarian issues
Keeping skilled staff within the Movement: more training as a network, rotation and integration in international operations 16

17. Way ahead and ambitions 5
Changing world -> changing practices
needs assessment, assistance, protection
fund-raising
communication, social media 17