Assistance in Times of War

Neutral, Impartial and Independent humanitarian action

Winning hearts and minds

Cross purposes

• Purpose of war: “Der Krieg ist eine bloße Fortsetzung der Politik mit anderen Mitteln” (politics by other means)-Carl von Clausewits

• Purpose of humanitarian action: “to prevent and alleviate human suffering” – Red Cross fundamental principles

• So, when the military provides aid, what is the purpose?

• Does it matter?

The force multipliers

• Colin Powell: “And I want you to know that I have made it clear to my staff here and to all of our ambassadors around the world that I am serious about making sure we have the best relationship with the NGOs who are such a force multiplier for us, such an important part of our combat team.”

Aid integral to fighting wars

Neutral and independent aid

• The Red Cross, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavours – in its international and national capacity – to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, co-operation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.

Red Cross/Red Crescent principles

• Impartiality– giving priority to the most urgent

cases of distress

• Neutrality– may not take sides in hostilities

• Independence– must maintain their autonomy

Code of Conduct

• 1.The Humanitarian imperative comes first.• 2.Aid is given regardless of the race, creed or nationality of the recipients and without adverse distinction of any kind. Aid priorities are calculated on the basis of need alone.

• 3.Aid will not be used to further a particular political or religious standpoint.

• 4.We shall endeavour not to act as instruments of government foreign policy.

Code of Conduct

• 5.We shall respect culture and custom.• 6.We shall attempt to build disaster response on

local capacities.• 7.Ways shall be found to involve programme

beneficiaries in the management of relief aid.• 8.Relief aid must strive to reduce future

vulnerabilities to disaster as well as meeting basic needs.

• 9.We hold ourselves accountable to both those we seek to assist and those from whom we accept resources.

• 10.In our information, publicity and advertising activities, we shall recognise disaster victims as

dignified human beings, not hopeless objects.

-Right to life and dignity -Ban on torture and ill treatment -Ban on slavery-Ban on retroactive legislation

International Humanitarian Law

Humanitarian Law

International Public Law

Human Rights Law

The Laws of Armed Conflict

Conflict

Laws on initiating war

Laws on the waging of war

(jus in bello or International

Humanitarian Law)

(jus ad bellum)

International Humanitarian Law:

Finding a balance

The coordinated approach

Politicising aid

• “Humanitarian soldiers”:Military engages in humanitarian activity

• Aid workers as government agents: Humanitarian agencies fulfill military or political goals

• Humanitarian placebo – aid supported in lieu of political or military engagement

Sarah Kenyon Lischer

Global Governance 2007

Trend since 1990s

• Kevin Henry, dir. of advocacy for CARE: Increasing trend “use and co-opt humanitarian assistance as an integral part of warfighting.”

• ICRC: “Narrowing humanitarian space.”

• Overseas Development Institute: Military “devouring” humanitarian space

Danger of “coordinated approach”

• Aid not distributed according to need but according to political considerations

• Marginalises needs-based humanitarian action

• Reduces trust in the idea of humanitarian action as a fundamental principle of International Humanitarian Law

Capability vs. Credibility

• Military has enormous logistical capability – but are they ready to use it without reference to political ends?

• Humanitarian agencies have credibility if they emphasise neutrality and independence – but often lack capability to tackle large scale emergencies

• In large-scale, complex emergencies both are often needed; capability and credibility

Assistance in Times of War

Neutral, Impartial and Independent humanitarian action