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Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Complex Emergencies. The Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance. Objectives. Define the NGO system and types of NGOs Discuss the NGO strengths & weaknesses Describe critical civil-military relationship issues
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Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Complex Emergencies The Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance
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
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
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 NGO Community
Humanity Impartiality Neutrality Independence Voluntary Unity Universality Humanitarian Principles Which Define & Protect the NGOs
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
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.
NGO Diversity • Size • Operating Styles • Geographic Focus • Religious background • Programmatic Orientation Source: Paula Hoy, Players and Issues in International Aid, 1998
Confusion Relief Development • Roles • Responsibilities • Capabilities • Limitations • Acronyms! indigenous Advocacy grassroots PVO NGO HRO Technology
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
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
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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CARE World Vision Catholic Relief Services Save the Children International Medical Corps Médecins sans Frontières Mercy Corps Africare Concern World Relief OXFAM AmeriCares Major NGOs * Represent 95% of participating 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 Major NGOs * Represent 95% of participating NGOs
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
Reception Area Photo: R. Brennan NGO Strengths Health Clinic Medicines Potable Water Photo: R. Brennan
Sphere Standards • Minimum Standards in disaster response: • water supply and sanitation • nutrition • food aid • shelter and site planning • health services
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
Prestigious Profitable Political color to advocacy Tension between FO and funders Idealistic Underpaid Independent Tension between HQ and projects Dichotomous View Headquarters Field Workers
NGO Threat to Governments • NGOs/Donor government seen as POWERFUL and SKILLFUL • National government seen asWEAKand ILL-EQUIPPED
Civil-Military Tensions • Cultural level • “tree-hugging” NGO • “jar-head” soldier • Professional level • different operating systems • different acronyms
Cultural Level Tensions • Mismatch of backgrounds • Ambivalence to accept as allies and partners • Admiration and resistance • Turf Issues • Image makers *Hugo Slim
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
Operational Security Concerns for NGOs • Personal Security • Stress Management • Communication within & among relief organizations
Dilemmas Caused by Aid in Current Conflict • Cover for guerrillas • Refugees become hostages • Fuels conflict • Base to militant groups Photo: UNHCR