Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Action

1. Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Action Dr. Paul Forage Indian River College

2. Outline • Introduction • History of Humanitarian Action • Complex Emergencies • Summary and Conclusion

3. 2: History of Humanitarian Action

4. 2.1. Historical Roots History of Humanitarian Action Origins of humanitarian action - motivations? Organized efforts of 11th/14th centuries Templars (1118) – Catholic military orders Knights of Malta (1309) St. Francis de Paul US aid: French (Haiti) 1793 (Florida) Caracas Earthquake (1812) Irish Famine - Greeks and Ottomans

5. 2.2. Henri Dunant History of Humanitarian Action Henri Dunant - businessman from Geneva Witness to battlefield slaughter at Solferino Fight between French and Italians Left 40,000 wounded - untended Dunant’s Idea: Impose a neutral space Provide impartial aid to all wounded Independent of national objectives Importance of Publicity - Souvenirs de Solferino Shocked European sensibilities Political and Civil Mobilization

6. 2.3. Henri Dunant 1863 History of Humanitarian Action

7. 2.4. Red Cross Movement History of Humanitarian Action Dunant led effort to mobilize political and civil world Organized first Red Cross Committee Recognition of 20 European countries First Geneva Convention of 1864 “The Amelioration of the Wounded in Time of War” Goals: Voluntary participation Technical capacities and expertise Assist victims of conflict > natural disasters

8. 2.5. The First World War History of Humanitarian Action Validation of first international conventions Universalized Humanitarian movement Protection of wounded Banning some types of weapons Creation of International Humanitarian Law Creation of new tools and techniques: Agency for locating and repatriating prisoners Procedures for jail visits Mobile surgical techniques Public Health campaigns

9. 2.6. The World Wars and Revolutions History of Humanitarian Action First Governmental Organizations - NANSEN Fridtjof Nansen (1861-1930) 1921 – WWI DPs - 1922 NPP Role of the “League of Nations” Precursor to UNHCR - care of 400,000 refugees Provided legal status for “stateless” persons www.fni.no

10. 2.6. The World Wars and Revolutions History of Humanitarian Action First Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Save the Children - Children’s Rights Movement Eglantyne Jebb and Dorothy Buxton – English sister activists Post-war blockade of Germany and Austria – “Hang the Kaiser” Deprivation and starvation of civilian population Malnutrition, TB, and rickets afflict women and children 1919 - “Fight the Famine Council” - “The Children’s Charter” Successful fund-raising – rapidly became permanent org.

11. 2.7. The World Wars and Revolutions History of Humanitarian Action First Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) 1932 John Voris NYC group – Appalachian relief Birth of American NGOs - many religious World Vision International Rescue Committee Catholic Relief Services Lutheran Worldwide Federation The rise of non-state actors

12. 2.8. The “Without Borders Movement” History of Humanitarian Action 1969 - revolt against the “father” Group of French doctors led by Bernard Kouchner Biafra civil war fought in Nigeria Civilian population beset by severe famine Angered by Red Cross inaction and neutrality

13. 2.8. The “Without Borders Movement” History of Humanitarian Action Architects Without Borders Clowns Without Borders Engineers Without Borders Lawyers Without Borders Mental Health Workers Without Borders Nursing Students Without Borders (nswb.org) Reporters Without Borders Teachers Without Borders Technology Without Borders

14. Intro to Complex Emergencies Complex Emergencies Characteristics of complex emergencies; The main challenges for humanitarian practitioners in emergencies; The concept of protection in the context of complex emergencies. Is there such thing as a “simple emergency”?

15. CEs in the 1990s – Four Characteristics Complex Emergencies Emergencies are normally based on civil conflicts. Typical to complex emergencies is the lack of authority and security. Because of lack of authority, flagrant violations of human rights and massive displacement are the result. Disruption of infra-structure and economic system is likely to occur.

16. Fifth Characteristic (CDHAM 2002) Complex Emergencies Civil conflicts. Deterioration of authority and security. Mass population movement Disruption economic system Decline in food security

17. Importance of Internal Conflicts Complex Emergencies Increasingly conflicts are of an internal nature, exacerbated by uneven social and economic development, religious identities, and lack of democratic space. “Privatization” of war and relief, private actors, including individuals, rather than states.Also hard to distinguish between political and criminal violence.

18. Continuity of Government Complex Emergencies Authorities, where they exist, do not have effective control. Working with non-state entities and other actors who have traditionally not been partners. Knowing which “power” can exercise some sort of control in order to know who to deal with.

19. Human Rights Complex Emergencies Erosion of traditional values. Humanitarian space is being denied, e.g. denial of access. Women and children are not only victims of warfare, but even targets. Large numbers of displaced. More than 80% of the victims women and children.

20. Infrastructure Complex Emergencies A wide variety of social, economic and political factors behind the emergencies. Instability disruptive for building infra-structural support. Lack of economic systems.

21. Infrastructure Complex Emergencies All activities aimed at ensuring respect and fulfillment of human rights as expressed in international human rights instruments and international humanitarian law. Note that all activities aimed at protecting the rights of civilians in armed conflicts, must be conducted in accordance with universally accepted humanitarian principles.

22. Immediate Response Complex Emergencies Activities seeking to address immediate effects of a specific human rights violations Although short term in perspective, these actions should include preventive action and special protection measures aimed at restoring human rights.

23. Long Term Response Complex Emergencies Activities which seek to create an environment conductive to respect for human rights Long-term activities such as initiating new pieces of legislation and training of law enforcement officials.

24. Principles Complex Emergencies Humanitarian principles are based on the work of the Red Cross and have their underpinnings in international law. Humanitarian principles are the framework for how to act, a code of conduct for everyone present in a complex emergency, including the warring factions.

25. Principle 1:The Humanitarian Imperative Complex Emergencies To prevent and alleviate human suffering To protect life and health and improve the human condition; Ensure respect for the human being Implies a right to receive humanitarian assistance Right to provide humanitarian assistance

26. Principle 2: Neutrality Complex Emergencies Not to take sides in the hostilities or the controversies based on political, racial, religious, or ideological ideas; Transparency and openness are key to neutrality Neutrality does not mean inaction Defending human rights is not a partisan activity

27. Principle 3: Impartiality Complex Emergencies Aid is delivered to all who are suffering The guiding principle is need Human rights is the basis of assessment Proportionality to need Non-discrimination Accountability to beneficiaries and donors

28. Point 1: Impartiality Complex Emergencies Do not prolong conflict or do no harm Aid can become part of the conflict and prolong it How can aid do as little harm as possible Aid increases resources overall

29. Point 2: Respect Culture and Custom Complex Emergencies Understand local customs and culture Understanding the interplay between local customs and international human rights

30. Point 3: Enhance Capacity Complex Emergencies DRHA addresses short term needs Responsibility to provide sustainable aid Reliance and dependency on external support Capacity building and participation of beneficiaries Empower civil society

31. Point 4: Coordinate Effort Complex Emergencies 100s of humanitarian NGOs Rwanda, Kosovo 300 + organizations Co-ordination of aid effort Principled decision-making Aid providers should have a common standpoint

32. Point 5: Gender Respect Complex Emergencies Emergencies affect men and women differently Impact most severe on women Experience of disaster, war, displacement can affect social relationships between men and women Recognition of this reality critical to effective aid

33. Issues and Debates Post 9/11 (2001) Complex Emergencies Two-fold assault on humanitarian organizations: Re-assertion of state power and control Reined in “independent players” “non-state actors” Corporate competition for government contracts Sources of “donor” support = national governments Retreat from principled action to utilitarian action Blurring distinction: PRTs in Afghanistan and Iraq Bitter reality on the ground: humanitarians as “soft targets”

34. Issues and Debates Post 9/11 (2001) Complex Emergencies

35. Issues and Debates Post 9/11 (ARC Tikrit 2006) Complex Emergencies

36. Review 1 Complex Emergencies What are the characteristics of CEs? (4 or 5) What does protection mean in a CE response? What is the Humanitarian Imperative? What does neutrality mean? What is IHL? What is principled humanitarian action? What is a soft target?

38. Summary and Conclusion • Introduction • History of Humanitarian Action • Complex Emergencies • Summary and Conclusion