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

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

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

Disaster Relief and Humanitarian ActionDisaster Relief and Humanitarian Action

Dr. Paul Forage

Indian River College

Page 2: Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Action Dr. Paul Forage Indian River College

OutlineOutline

IntroductionIntroduction History of Humanitarian ActionHistory of Humanitarian Action Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies Summary and ConclusionSummary and Conclusion

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2: History of Humanitarian Action2: History of Humanitarian Action

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History of Humanitarian ActionHistory of Humanitarian Action

Origins of humanitarian action - motivations?Origins of humanitarian action - motivations? Organized efforts of 11th/14th centuriesOrganized efforts of 11th/14th centuries

Templars (1118) – Catholic military ordersTemplars (1118) – Catholic military orders Knights of Malta (1309) Knights of Malta (1309) St. Francis de PaulSt. Francis de Paul

US aid:US aid: French (Haiti) 1793 (Florida)French (Haiti) 1793 (Florida) Caracas Earthquake (1812)Caracas Earthquake (1812) Irish Famine - Greeks and OttomansIrish Famine - Greeks and Ottomans

2.1. Historical Roots

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History of Humanitarian ActionHistory of Humanitarian Action

• Henri Dunant - businessman from GenevaHenri Dunant - businessman from Geneva• Witness to battlefield slaughter at SolferinoWitness to battlefield slaughter at Solferino• Fight between French and ItaliansFight between French and Italians• Left 40,000 wounded - untendedLeft 40,000 wounded - untended• Dunant’s Idea:Dunant’s Idea:

• Impose a Impose a neutralneutral space space• Provide Provide impartialimpartial aid to all wounded aid to all wounded• IndependentIndependent of national objectives of national objectives• Importance of Publicity - Importance of Publicity - Souvenirs de SolferinoSouvenirs de Solferino• Shocked European sensibilitiesShocked European sensibilities• Political and Civil MobilizationPolitical and Civil Mobilization

2.2. Henri Dunant

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History of Humanitarian ActionHistory of Humanitarian Action

2.3. Henri Dunant 1863

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History of Humanitarian ActionHistory of Humanitarian Action

• Dunant led effort to mobilize political and civil worldDunant led effort to mobilize political and civil world• Organized first Red Cross CommitteeOrganized first Red Cross Committee• Recognition of 20 European countriesRecognition of 20 European countries• First Geneva Convention of 1864First Geneva Convention of 1864• ““The Amelioration of the Wounded in Time of War”The Amelioration of the Wounded in Time of War”• Goals:Goals:

• Voluntary participationVoluntary participation• Technical capacities and expertiseTechnical capacities and expertise• Assist victims of conflict > natural disastersAssist victims of conflict > natural disasters

2.4. Red Cross Movement

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History of Humanitarian ActionHistory of Humanitarian Action

• Validation of first international conventionsValidation of first international conventions• Universalized Humanitarian movementUniversalized Humanitarian movement• Protection of woundedProtection of wounded• Banning some types of weaponsBanning some types of weapons• Creation of International Humanitarian LawCreation of International Humanitarian Law• Creation of new tools and techniques:Creation of new tools and techniques:

• Agency for locating and repatriating prisonersAgency for locating and repatriating prisoners• Procedures for jail visitsProcedures for jail visits• Mobile surgical techniquesMobile surgical techniques• Public Health campaignsPublic Health campaigns

2.5. The First World War

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History of Humanitarian ActionHistory of Humanitarian Action

First Governmental Organizations - NANSENFirst Governmental Organizations - NANSEN

• Fridtjof Nansen (1861-1930) 1921 – WWI DPs - 1922 NPPFridtjof Nansen (1861-1930) 1921 – WWI DPs - 1922 NPP• Role of the “League of Nations”Role of the “League of Nations”• Precursor to UNHCR - care of 400,000 refugeesPrecursor to UNHCR - care of 400,000 refugees• Provided legal status for “stateless” personsProvided legal status for “stateless” persons

2.6. The World Wars and Revolutions

www.fni.no

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History of Humanitarian ActionHistory of Humanitarian Action

First Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)First Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

• Save the Children - Children’s Rights Movement Save the Children - Children’s Rights Movement • Eglantyne JebbEglantyne Jebb and and Dorothy BuxtonDorothy Buxton – English sister activists – English sister activists • Post-war blockade of Germany and Austria – “Hang the Kaiser”Post-war blockade of Germany and Austria – “Hang the Kaiser”• Deprivation and starvation of civilian populationDeprivation and starvation of civilian population• Malnutrition, TB, and rickets afflict women and childrenMalnutrition, TB, and rickets afflict women and children• 1919 - “Fight the Famine Council” - “The Children’s Charter”1919 - “Fight the Famine Council” - “The Children’s Charter”• Successful fund-raising – rapidly became permanent org.Successful fund-raising – rapidly became permanent org.

2.6. The World Wars and Revolutions

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History of Humanitarian ActionHistory of Humanitarian Action

First Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)First Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

• 1932 John Voris NYC group – Appalachian relief1932 John Voris NYC group – Appalachian relief• Birth of American NGOs - many religiousBirth of American NGOs - many religious

• World VisionWorld Vision• International Rescue CommitteeInternational Rescue Committee• Catholic Relief ServicesCatholic Relief Services• Lutheran Worldwide FederationLutheran Worldwide Federation

• The rise of non-state actorsThe rise of non-state actors

2.7. The World Wars and Revolutions

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History of Humanitarian ActionHistory of Humanitarian Action

• 1969 - 1969 - revolt against the “fatherrevolt against the “father””• Group of French doctors led by Bernard KouchnerGroup of French doctors led by Bernard Kouchner• Biafra civil war fought in Nigeria Biafra civil war fought in Nigeria • Civilian population beset by severe famineCivilian population beset by severe famine• Angered by Red Cross inaction and neutralityAngered by Red Cross inaction and neutrality

2.8. The “Without Borders Movement”

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History of Humanitarian ActionHistory of Humanitarian Action

• Architects Without BordersArchitects Without Borders• Clowns Without BordersClowns Without Borders• Engineers Without BordersEngineers Without Borders• Lawyers Without BordersLawyers Without Borders• Mental Health Workers Without BordersMental Health Workers Without Borders• Nursing Students Without Borders (nswb.org)Nursing Students Without Borders (nswb.org)• Reporters Without BordersReporters Without Borders• Teachers Without BordersTeachers Without Borders• Technology Without BordersTechnology Without Borders

2.8. The “Without Borders Movement”

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

Characteristics of complex emergencies;Characteristics of complex emergencies; The main challenges for humanitarian The main challenges for humanitarian

practitioners in emergencies;practitioners in emergencies; The concept of The concept of protectionprotection in the context of in the context of

complex emergencies.complex emergencies. Is there such thing as a “simple emergency”? Is there such thing as a “simple emergency”?

Intro to Complex Emergencies

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

1.1. Emergencies are normally based on civil conflicts.Emergencies are normally based on civil conflicts.

2.2. Typical to complex emergencies is the lack of Typical to complex emergencies is the lack of authority and security.authority and security.

3.3. Because of lack of authority, flagrant violations of Because of lack of authority, flagrant violations of human rights and massive displacement are the human rights and massive displacement are the result.result.

4.4. Disruption of infra-structure and economic system is Disruption of infra-structure and economic system is likely to occur.likely to occur.

CEs in the 1990s – Four Characteristics

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

Civil conflicts.Civil conflicts. Deterioration of authority and security.Deterioration of authority and security. Mass population movementMass population movement Disruption economic systemDisruption economic system Decline in food securityDecline in food security

Fifth Characteristic (CDHAM 2002)

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

Increasingly conflicts are of an internal nature, Increasingly conflicts are of an internal nature, exacerbated by uneven social and economic exacerbated by uneven social and economic development, religious identities, and lack of development, religious identities, and lack of democratic space.democratic space.

““Privatization” of war and relief, private actors, Privatization” of war and relief, private actors, including individuals, rather than states.including individuals, rather than states.Also hard to distinguish between political and Also hard to distinguish between political and criminal violence.criminal violence.

Importance of Internal Conflicts

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

Authorities, where they exist, do not have effective Authorities, where they exist, do not have effective control.control.

Working with non-state entities and other actors who Working with non-state entities and other actors who have traditionally not been partners.have traditionally not been partners.

Knowing which “power” can exercise some sort of Knowing which “power” can exercise some sort of control in order to know who to deal with.control in order to know who to deal with.

Continuity of Government

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

Erosion of traditional values.Erosion of traditional values. Humanitarian space is being denied, e.g. denial of Humanitarian space is being denied, e.g. denial of

access.access. Women and children are not only victims of warfare, Women and children are not only victims of warfare,

but even targets.but even targets. Large numbers of displaced.Large numbers of displaced. More than 80% of the victims women and children.More than 80% of the victims women and children.

Human Rights

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

A wide variety of social, economic and political A wide variety of social, economic and political factors behind the emergencies.factors behind the emergencies.

Instability disruptive for building infra-structural Instability disruptive for building infra-structural support.support.

Lack of economic systems.Lack of economic systems.

Infrastructure

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

All activities aimed at ensuring respect and All activities aimed at ensuring respect and fulfillment of human rights as expressed in fulfillment of human rights as expressed in international human rights instruments and international human rights instruments and international humanitarian law.international humanitarian law.

Note that all activities aimed at protecting the rights Note that all activities aimed at protecting the rights of civilians in armed conflicts, must be conducted in of civilians in armed conflicts, must be conducted in accordance with universally accepted humanitarian accordance with universally accepted humanitarian principles.principles.

Infrastructure

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

Activities seeking to address immediate effects of a Activities seeking to address immediate effects of a specific human rights violationsspecific human rights violations

Although short term in perspective, these actions Although short term in perspective, these actions should include preventive action and special should include preventive action and special protection measures aimed at restoring human protection measures aimed at restoring human rights.rights.

Immediate Response

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

Activities which seek to create an environment Activities which seek to create an environment conductive to respect for human rightsconductive to respect for human rights

Long-term activities such as initiating new pieces of Long-term activities such as initiating new pieces of legislation and training of law enforcement officials.legislation and training of law enforcement officials.

Long Term Response

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

Humanitarian principles are based on the work of the Humanitarian principles are based on the work of the Red Cross and have their underpinnings in Red Cross and have their underpinnings in international law.international law.

Humanitarian principles are the framework for how Humanitarian principles are the framework for how to act, a code of conduct for everyone present in a to act, a code of conduct for everyone present in a complex emergency, including the warring factions.complex emergency, including the warring factions.

Principles

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

To prevent and alleviate human sufferingTo prevent and alleviate human suffering To protect life and health and improve the human To protect life and health and improve the human

condition;condition; Ensure respect for the human beingEnsure respect for the human being Implies a right to Implies a right to receivereceive humanitarian assistance humanitarian assistance Right to Right to provideprovide humanitarian assistance humanitarian assistance

Principle 1: The Humanitarian Imperative

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

Not to take sides in the hostilities or the Not to take sides in the hostilities or the controversies based on political, racial, religious, controversies based on political, racial, religious, or ideological ideas;or ideological ideas;

TransparencyTransparency and and opennessopenness are key to neutrality are key to neutrality Neutrality does not mean inactionNeutrality does not mean inaction Defending human rights is not a partisan activityDefending human rights is not a partisan activity

Principle 2: Neutrality

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

Aid is delivered to all who are sufferingAid is delivered to all who are suffering The guiding principle is needThe guiding principle is need Human rights is the basis of assessmentHuman rights is the basis of assessment Proportionality to needProportionality to need Non-discriminationNon-discrimination Accountability to beneficiaries and donorsAccountability to beneficiaries and donors

Principle 3: Impartiality

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

Do not prolong conflict or Do not prolong conflict or do no harmdo no harm Aid can become part of the conflict and prolong itAid can become part of the conflict and prolong it How can aid do as little harm as possibleHow can aid do as little harm as possible Aid increases resources overallAid increases resources overall

Point 1: Impartiality

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

Understand local customs and cultureUnderstand local customs and culture Understanding the interplay between local customs Understanding the interplay between local customs

and international human rightsand international human rights

Point 2: Respect Culture and Custom

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

DRHA addresses short term needsDRHA addresses short term needs Responsibility to provide sustainable aidResponsibility to provide sustainable aid Reliance and dependency on external supportReliance and dependency on external support Capacity building and participation of beneficiariesCapacity building and participation of beneficiaries Empower civil societyEmpower civil society

Point 3: Enhance Capacity

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

100s of humanitarian NGOs100s of humanitarian NGOs Rwanda, Kosovo 300 + organizationsRwanda, Kosovo 300 + organizations Co-ordination of aid effortCo-ordination of aid effort Principled decision-makingPrincipled decision-making Aid providers should have a common standpointAid providers should have a common standpoint

Point 4: Coordinate Effort

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

Emergencies affect men and women differentlyEmergencies affect men and women differently Impact most severe on womenImpact most severe on women Experience of disaster, war, displacement can affect Experience of disaster, war, displacement can affect

social relationships between men and womensocial relationships between men and women Recognition of this reality critical to effective aidRecognition of this reality critical to effective aid

Point 5: Gender Respect

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

Two-fold assault on humanitarian organizations:Two-fold assault on humanitarian organizations:

• Re-assertion of state power and controlRe-assertion of state power and control Reined in “independent players” “Reined in “independent players” “non-state non-state

actorsactors”” Corporate competition for government contractsCorporate competition for government contracts Sources of “donor” support = national Sources of “donor” support = national

governmentsgovernments Retreat from Retreat from principledprincipled action to action to utilitarianutilitarian action action Blurring distinction: PRTs in Afghanistan and IraqBlurring distinction: PRTs in Afghanistan and Iraq

• Bitter reality on the ground: humanitarians as “Bitter reality on the ground: humanitarians as “soft soft targetstargets””

Issues and Debates Post 9/11 (2001)

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

Issues and Debates Post 9/11 (2001)

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

Issues and Debates Post 9/11 (ARC Tikrit 2006)

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Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies

What are What are thethe characteris characteristics of CEs? (4 or 5)tics of CEs? (4 or 5) What does What does protection mean in a CE response?protection mean in a CE response? What is the Humanitarian Imperative?What is the Humanitarian Imperative? What does neutrality mean?What does neutrality mean? What is IHL?What is IHL? What is principled humanitarian action?What is principled humanitarian action? What is a soft target?What is a soft target?

Review 1

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Summary and Summary and ConclusionConclusion IntroductionIntroduction History of Humanitarian ActionHistory of Humanitarian Action Complex EmergenciesComplex Emergencies Summary and ConclusionSummary and Conclusion