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. NGO Community 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

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

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 Roles Responsibilities Capabilities Limitations Acronyms!

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

15. Major NGOs 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 * 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. Health Clinic MedicinesPotable Water Reception Area Photo: R. Brennan NGO Strengths

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

21. NGO Threat to Governments NGOs/Donor government seen as POWERFUL and SKILLFUL National government seen as WEAK and 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 Fuels conflict Base to militant groups Cover for guerrillas Refugees become hostages Photo: UNHCR

28. QUESTIONS?