A Stronger Partnership Improving Military Cooperation with Relief Agencies and Allies in Humanitarian Crises

by Byman, Daniel L.; Lesser, Ian; Pirnie, Bruce; Benard, Cheryl; Waxman, Matthew C.

• ISBN13: 9780833028686
• ISBN10: 0833028685
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-12-19
• Publisher: RAND Corporation

Summary

Many humanitarian interventions led and supported by the United States go beyond simple disaster relief and include such difficult tasks as protecting refugees, securing humanitarian aid, and restoring civil order. The U.S. Air Force often plays an important role in such complex contingency operations. MR-1185-AF explores how the military might improve coordination with relief agencies and with European allies in such operations. It examines the dynamics of complex contingency operations, provides an overview of the relief community, delineates barriers to better cooperation, discusses the European contribution, and recommends steps the military might take to improve coordination in future crises. Steps include improving military familiarization with key relief organizations humanitarian advisor, establishing more centers of excellence, and bringing relief organizations into the planning process.

Table of Contents

Preface	iii
Figures	ix
Tables	xi
Summary	xiii
Acknowledgments	xxiii
Abbreviations and Acronyms	xxvii
Introduction	1	(6)
Research Approach and Structure	3	(4)
PART ONE. COMPLEX CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS AND THE ROLE OF THE MILITARY
Characteristics of Complex Contingency Operations	7	(6)
Frequency of Conflict and Response	13	(14)
Incidence of Conflict Worldwide	13	(7)
Unpredictability of Intervention	20	(2)
Drivers of Intervention	22	(1)
Limited Warning Time	23	(1)
Preference for Multilateralism	24	(3)
Military Tasks in Complex Contingencies	27	(18)
Provide Humanitarian Assistance	28	(2)
Protect Humanitarian Assistance	30	(4)
Assist Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons	34	(3)
Enforce Peace	37	(2)
Restore Order	39	(6)
Common Constraints on Operations	45	(14)
Weak Resolve at Home	45	(6)
Balancing Conflict and Reconciliation	51	(3)
Advanced Planning Difficulties	54	(5)
PART TWO. THE RELIEF COMMUNITY AND THE MILITARY
Overview of the Relief Community	59	(14)
United Nations Family	59	(3)
Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement	62	(2)
Nongovernment Organizations	64	(3)
Categorizing Nongovernment Organizations	67	(6)
Advantages to Better Coordination with the Relief Community	73	(8)
More Rapid Response	73	(1)
Smoother Airlift	74	(1)
More Timely Identification of Local Needs	75	(2)
Better Exploitation of Expertise	77	(1)
More Efficient Use of Resources	78	(3)
Coordination Structures and Their Limits	81	(20)
Interagency Process	83	(1)
International Coordination	84	(1)
Operational-Level Arrangements	84	(7)
Coordination Structures	91	(6)
Center of Excellence	97	(4)
Barriers to Improved Coordination with Relief Agencies	101	(22)
Disparate Organizational Cultures	102	(2)
Concerns About Neutrality and Impartiality	104	(3)
Limited NGO Ability to Plan	107	(3)
Ambivalence About Sharing Information	110	(2)
Competition for Publicity	112	(1)
Varying Time Horizons	113	(1)
Mutual Lack of Familiarity	114	(2)
Limited Coordination Within NGOs	116	(1)
Uncertainty About the Military's Commitment	117	(1)
Improving Prospects for Cooperation	118	(5)
PART THREE. WORKING WITH EUROPEAN ALLIES
Humanitarian Intervention as a Coalition Activity	123	(18)
European Activity and Outlook on Humanitarian Missions	124	(2)
The Military Dimension	126	(1)
Regional Bases and Experience	127	(1)
Relations with NGOs and NGO Concerns	128	(2)
Transatlantic Synergies in Humanitarian Contingencies	130	(1)
What Role for NATO?	131	(5)
Some Observations on Kosovo	136	(5)
PART FOUR. IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A Strategy to Improve Coordination	141	(62)
Ensure Familiarity: Recommended Actions	143	(7)
Improve Information Sharing: Recommended Actions	150	(5)
Improve Long-Term Planning: Recommended Actions	155	(8)
Avoid the Potential Pitfalls of Selective Engagement	163	(6)
Improve the Coordination of the Relief Flow: Recommended Actions	169	(5)
Establish Initiatives with Allies	174	(5)
Final Words	179	(2)
Appendix
A. U.S. NGOs	181	(6)
B. Major International NGOs	187	(8)
C. French Experience and Perspectives	195	(8)
Bibliography	203	(12)
Index	215