Digital threats in armed conflicts are likely to increase – against civilians but also against impartial humanitarian organizations. Thinking as a humanitarian professional, provide at least two considerations on the advantages or disadvantages for humanitarians in accepting the. In certain circumstances, mobilizing MCDA to support humanitarian assistance may be necessary. The current crisis has exacerbated existing pressure on the Chadian economy and increased the poverty and vulnerability level from 34. While this review may be long overdue, it is hoped that it can become a leading example for other donors and organisations wanting to invest in more effective humanitarian response in armed 1 Introduction“This complicates the humanitarian response, as it is more difficult to obtain adequate funding without a precise evaluation of the situation,” the aid worker told The New Humanitarian, again asking not to be named. El informe "Conflicto prolongado y acción humanitaria" analiza los desafíos y las oportunidades que plantean los conflictos de larga duración para la asistencia y la protección de las víctimas. of Military and Armed Escorts for Humanitarian Convoys. The humanitarian response to the diverse needs of victims remains insufficient. Underlining all humanitarian action are the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. In crisis contexts, principled civil–military coordination is critical to protecting humanitarian principles and, therefore, ensuring an effective humanitarian response. People’s capacity and strategies to survive with dignity are integral to the design and approach of humanitarian response. On the brink of famine for the past four years. However, delivering on this commitment is not easy, and the majority of donors still have funding cycles of 12–18 months. undertaken without the use of armed escorts. The typology considers two factors: (1) the nature of crisis-affected population’s perceptions of an armed actor, and (2) the extent of alignment of. Positive, impactful change for your career and our world. SOCIALLY ENGAGED BUDDHISM AND PRINCIPLED HUMANITARIAN ACTION DURING ARMED CONFLICT. . The use of armed escorts for humanitarian convoys can have significant short and long term counter-productive implications for humanitarian actors, their respective organisations and associated. The sole purpose of humanitarian assistance is to save lives and alleviate suffering of people in need as a result of a humanitarian crisis, be it a complex emergency or a natural disaster. Observation by UN Forces of International Humanitarian Law Humanitarian engagement in social protection is, in principle, a needs-based decision due to the protracted nature of humanitarian needs, thus driven by the impartiality principle. scaled up its response, with some 700 staff working in 10 locations across the country. Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response – IFRC, 17, chemin des Crêts, C. undertaken without the use of armed escorts. Humanitarian assistance is provided based on The agreement aims to foster a spirit of co-operation based upon shared principles and a commitment to the alleviation of suffering and the protection of war and disaster victims. How the. See its evaluation of the situations of violence in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Niger, available at: 24. Regional authorities and a few partners have mobilized assistance, but only close to urban areas and using armed escorts. 2 A United Nations Response to a Humanitarian Crisis A crisis which threatens international peace and security almost inevitably endangers civilian populations, and therefore calls for humanitarian action. However, based on specific context, situation and exceptional circumstances the DO can authorize the UN agencies to use armed escorts for their convoy on a case by case basis and limited amount of time. 1 million Palestinians across the OPT require humanitarianA recurring question is whether a cyber operation can itself trigger the application of international humanitarian law, which applies if tensions between States – or a situation of violence between a State and a non-State armed group – escalate into an armed conflict (see ICRC 2016 Commentary on the 1949 First Geneva Convention,. This is the narrative that is spun and reinforced by those who lead the international response in Yemen, both on the humanitarian and. "The humanitarian response is under stress globally due to multiple. 24. 1. Responsibilities. Over 30 million people will require assistance in 2022. effective and principled humanitarian response. This position-specific job opening is being advertised for the position of Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Civil-Military Coordination and Access in OCHA Regional office for Western and Central Africa (ROWCA) based in Dakar, Senegal. The panel discussed the practical relevance of the principles, the. It puts humanitarian organisations under pressure, and effectively holds civilian populations to ransom. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. On the brink of famine for the past four years. He concluded his presentation by reminding the audience that the Fundamental Principles are designed to facilitate acceptance, access and security, and that the layers of these three are: negotiating access,. humanitarian character, the movement of IDPs under the auspices of the military/armed elements contravenes the principles of neutrality, distinction, and precaution. of Military and Armed Escorts for Humanitarian Convoys. 5 million people prioritized for life-saving humanitarian support (52 per cent women, 32 percent children and 13 per cent. While the regional crisis becomes more protracted, and the limited international focus shifts, large parts of the region remain or have become inaccessible to humanitarian agencies trying to. armed escorts for humanitarian convoys. In complex settings, in order to preserve the respect for humanitarian principles, to avoid association and maintain a clear distinction between the armed actors and humanitarian aid workers, the use of Military Civil-DefenceMSF described the practice as ‘militarization’ of the response (Miles, 2019), and the Red Cross explained that armed escorts ‘may aggravate the tensions that already exist between communities and responders’ (IFRC, 2019). The Joint Operating Principles (JOPs) were endorsed by the HCT in December 2019 and revised in August 2021. • The regional Government has been providing limited life-saving assistance since July 2020 using armed escorts. Armed escorts required by government or armed group: The government or armed group is requiring an escort to allow access, threatening the neutrality of the actor. 1 Humanitarian crises disrupt family and social networks, change the roles played by different genders and break down protection structures. 9 per cent in 2021 to 35. Without them, it is said, aid workers can neither be legitimate, nor effective. Together with impartiality, it features in the mandates of many organisations involved in humanitarian response. As members of the international community, we recognise our obligation to provide humanitarian assistance wherever it is needed. 2 million are. Read the IASC Non-Binding Guidelines on the "Use of Military or Armed Escorts for Humanitarian Convoys. The world’s biggest response. It also contributed to increase the protection risks such as gender-based violence (GBV). The team heard all ECHO partners argue that they consider the principles when they set priorities, negotiate access, and decide on the type and level of engagement with armed forces. 1% of all calls for service. This article attempts to determine whether the resort to armed escorts is in line with the principle of passive precautions under IHL, how the principle of proportionality could apply in cases of attack against the escort, and whether the convoy turns into a military objective when escorted. . UNICEF is committed to the following humanitarian principles[4] in its operations: Humanity: Human suffering must be addressed wherever. Humanitarian principles underpin acceptance – cultivating good. The humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a nation wracked by decades of conflict, is one of the most complex and protracted situations in the world. While the words exist on paper, they are far less evident. The use of armed military protection for aid workers and assistance remains highly controversial. IDRL is a. Every individual has personal biases and can be subjected to different kinds of pressure. Humanitarian principles of civil-military coordina tion and their incon-. During the last decade, the new generation of humanitarian aid organizations has emerged in a new crisis of security. and principled humanitarian action by. Their global recognition and relevance is further. However, thirteen years later, practices of humanitarian negotiations are still inadequate. 7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance (as of 17/05/2023) 20. As the Sahel crisis 1 rapidly worsens, the region’s humanitarian needs are reaching unprecedented heights. 4. It sets up nine commitments for organizations and individuals working in humanitarian response, based on the Fundamental Principles. OCHA continues to engage authorities for alternative use to the armed escorts by. Alternatively, the government. Principled civil-military coordination is facing a number of major and often interconnected challenges including restrictions imposed by State and non-State actors, the Global War on Terror,. of the Congo 114 Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination 115. Basado en la experiencia del CICR en diez contextos de conflicto, el informe ofrece una visión crítica de las tendencias, los enfoques y las. These updated guidelines remain non-binding and are intended to assist humanitarian actors to fully consider the implications of using armed escorts to facilitate. tools for humanitarian evacuations, which also define criteria and standards to plan and implement humanitarian evacuations. The surge and impact of state and non-state armed actors, including national militaries and police, as well as private security companies, on humanitarian action is likely to increase. Authorities have also required that aid groups use armed escorts, including in areas not impacted by the conflict. • Responsible Authorities. Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine. Humanitarian access impediments across Yemen have continued to make it difficult for humanitarian actors to maintain regular, sustainable, and principled humanitarian activities in multiple areas. The use of armed escorts was prevalent and was a topic of much debate and discussion among civilian responders, many of whom feared that a perceived loss of neutrality would hobble the response by stoking popular resistance. The requirement for police escort on road N380 applies to all movements, including commercial and humanitarian. The essential dialogue and interaction between civilian and military actors in humanitarian emergencies necessary to protect and promote humanitarian principles, avoid competition, minimize inconsistency, and when appropriate, pursue common goals. Alternatively, the government. Responsibilities. MSF described the practice as ‘militarization’ of the response (Miles, 2019), and the Red. offer improvements in ambulance placement and armed. Island was a good To find out more Guidelines on the Use of Foreign Military and Civil Defence Assets in Disaster Relief (Oslo Guidelines), 2007. The conference cycle was one among several other initiatives aimed at fostering a global discussion on principled humanitarian action, in the run-up to the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. UN-CMCoord Officer Field Handbook (to be published). A broad search strategy. humanitarian crisis, be it a complex emergency or a natural disaster. and underscores the need for principled humanitarian civil-military coordination to avert threats to both humanitarian aid workers and disaster affected populations. The European Union promotes the coordination between civilian and military actors in emergencies. HCs lead the HCT in deciding the most appropriate coordination. Principles of Conduct for The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Response Programmes 1. The humanitarian needs were growing rapidly and the lack of access to the region due to insecurity meant that no humanitarian aid convoy was able to reach the people without an armed escort. 14 Sep 2001. In April, road access improved as the requirement for police escort on road N380 (direction Silva Macua-Macomia sede) was lifted. That means that we resolve 99. The measures described below are therefore intended, to be taken in peacetime, to ensure that international humanitarian law will be respected if an armed conflict breaks out. this fundamental principle. The guidelines can also assist the humanitarian community to constructively engage and negotiate with State and non-State actors which seek to impose the use of armed escorts. Flow Chart on the Use of Armed Escorts for Humanitarian Convoys C. Preserve humanitarian space. Keywords: international humanitarian law, humanitarian aid, humanitarian access, armed escorts, reliefGlobal Humanitarian Overview 2022. 012 billion) was secured. On balance, participation in such exercises is seen as. 690 Old Hope Princeton Way. Humanitarian Military Dialogue . All humanitarian actors have an ethical responsibility to mainstream protection into humanitarian response programs. 6 million internally displaced. Chad also ranks in the bottom ten of the Global Hunger Index (118 of 119), the. The increasing complexity and often transboundary scope of complex emergencies are exceeding the capacity of humanitarian logistics systems. Discuss the use of armed escorts for humanitarian convoys on a regular basis within the HCT,. , launch of the Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO) 2022. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. The ICRC regularly organizes dissemination sessions on humanitarian principles and trainings on International Humanitarian Law for non-state armed groups (NSAGs) across the globe, including in highly operational contexts such as Syria, Iraq, South Sudan or the DRC. armed escorts to humanitarian convoys expressly and specifically, the principle 19 Ibid. The armed escorts utilized are capable of providing a credible deterrent to enhance theVIII Establish a Plan for the Discontinuation of Armed Escorts. The first expert panel of ICRC's Research and Debate Cycle on Principles Guiding Humanitarian Action tackled the topic of the application of the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence in operational environments. Effective and consistent humanitarian civil-military coordination is a shared responsibility, crucial to safeguarding humanitarian principles and humanitarian space. Humanitarian Negotiations with Armed Groups. Ongoing conflict with non-state armed actors results in scenarios where civilians are impacted by both conflict and natural hazards. Armed escorts required by government or armed group: The government or armed group is requiring an escort to allow access, threatening the neutrality of the actor. 9 per cent in 2021 to 35. 4. Of these, 2. 2020 using armed. (e. Established in 1863, the ICRC is at the origin of the Geneva Conventions and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. peacebuilding, armed conflict or even war and occupation, readers will find in the GUIDELINES AND REFERENCE answers to such questions as: Why are principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, independence and distinction so vital to civil-military coordination in humanitarian emergencies? When and how should humanitarian ‘humanitarian’ purposes, have led to an erosion of the separation between the humanitarian and the military space 2, and may threaten to blur the fundamental distinction between these two domains. 3 million people projected to be in acute food insecurity (IPC phase 3 or above) between July and. OCHA Afghanistan CMCoord section promotes the following principles. A minimum of 200,000 liters of fuel is required for humanitarian response every week. Some. Coordinate the global emergency response to save lives and protect people in humanitarian crises. This is particularly true in areas where armed groups designated as “terrorists” are active and where principled humanitarian action is most needed. to be pre-identified by humanitarian and armed actors. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the. 2 The aim of principled humanitarian action asThis evaluation report assesses the World Food Programme’s (WFP) policies on humanitarian principles and access, its progress implementing the policies, and the factors affecting the results observed. humanitarian organizations have resorted to armed escorts from the military, 1 Protocol Additional (I) to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts, 1125 UNTS 3, 8 June 1977 (entered into force 7 December responders operated in a context shaped by decades of conflict in which a multiplicity of armed groups were still active. (Steering Committee on humanitarian Response. 3. The NGO worker said the government is also often trying to impose armed escorts on organisations that do travel. Introduction. • Respect for human dignity is paramount in everything the Movement does. 78 KB) This document offers non-binding guidelines regarding the use of military and armed escorts for humanitarian convoys. 2(4). contribution to prevent armed conflict and violence, promote sustainable peace in line also with United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolutions and. (ICRC), with a view to preserving an essential humanitarian space in situations of armed conflict. The Discussion Paper and Non-Binding Guidelines on the “Use of Military or Armed Escorts for Humanitarian Convoys” were originally endorsed by members of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee. (INEB), to seek his thoughts on each principle. 4 per cent in 2023 according to the World Bank ( World Bank, as of 20 October 2023 ). Between January and September 2023, humanitarian organizations operating in Afghanistan provided assistance to 19. Observation by UN Forces of International Humanitarian Law IASC Non-Binding Guidelines on the Use of Armed Escorts for Humanitarian Convoys, February 2013 The purpose of these guidelines are to assist a wide range of actors on when and how to use military or other forms of armed escorts to accompany humanitarian convoys during humanitarian operations. 6. I. government has provided almost. The IASC Reference Group on Principled Humanitarian Action (RG PHA) carries forward a number of work streams from the 2014-2015 workplan of the former IASC Task Team on Revitalising Principled Humanitarian Action (TT PHA). — Now the UK is setting its own sanctions strategy, it must recognize the relevance of IHL and humanitarian principles as it elaborates sanctions policies and theDifferent humanitarian agencies have different security policies and the approaches they adopt can have serious consequences for the ICRC. Disclaimer UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian AffairsThe DAC Recommendation was developed in response to the call for strengthened policy and operational coherence by humanitarian, development and peace actors, reflecting commitments. In Yemen there are important disparities between men and women accessing education, livelihood opportunities, protection and political processes. Since the. to Support United Nations Humanitarian Activities in Complex Emergencies — Revision 1 Use of Military or Armed Escorts For Humanitarian Convoys: Discussion Paper and Non-Binding Guidelines Annexes and Appendices: Annexes A. Read the Recommended Practices for Effective Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination of Foreign Military Assets (FMA) in Natural and Man-Made Disasters. Such a movement may render the civilian population and the humanitarian actors vulnerable to more serious security and protection risks and may turn them into potential militaryAccording to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 500 trucks carrying essential supplies sent by the UN and its partners – including food and. being used mainly to transfer technical expertise in humanitarian relief to armed forces, or being drawn into joint planning and cooperation. The military plays a growing role in supplementing and even leading humanitarian assistance and disaster relief logistics. Women are disproportionately affected due to restrictions of mobility, decision making power and lack of access and control over. Vincent Bernard is the Geneva-based head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Forum for Law and Policy, and Editor-in-Chief of the International Review of the Red Cross. 1. Below is a short description of these different categories of international humanitarian actors. Armed conflicts have long-lasting repercussions on the population affected, even after the conflict has ended. the humanitarian response in Metekel Zone. 1. You’re passionate about making a difference where it counts. though that humanitarian work can be securitized or forceful challenges not only the common perception of humanitarian work as a peaceful and impartial, but also challenges the humanitarian principles. Case Study: The perils of using armed escorts in the Democratic Republic . Use of Force Protection or Military Escorts As a general rule, humanitarian convoys will not use armed escorts.