Post-conflict contexts and humanitarian organizations: the changing relationship with states (original) (raw)
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This research examines the relationship between a humanitarian international non-governmental organisation (INGO) and a state against the background of civil war. This relationship is established as two sets of norms in tension: The moral as represented and made operational by humanitarian INGOs and the political as articulated and practised by states, mediated through the discourse of identity. Specifically the study investigates the constructed relationship between the humanitarian INGO Médecins Sans Frontières-Holland (MSF-H) and the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) during two periods of the Sri Lankan civil war (2006 and 2008-2009). A negotiation structure is proposed where an external actor—a humanitarian INGO—attempts to operate within the internal environment of a state. For a state, civil war is a ‘state of exception’, where a government’s prerogative to act outside ‘normal’ legal and moral boundaries may be taken up and where international actors are securitised. For a humanitarian organisation a civil war is defined as a humanitarian crisis which must be responded to using humanitarian principles in a non-political manner. This case study relationship is viewed from both MSF-Holland’s and the GoSL’s perspectives. On the side of the GoSL the study describes and analyses the government’s decision-making when faced by international criticism, a humanitarian crisis, and international organisations attempting to work on its territory. The background for the GoSL’s actions is extensively explored. MSF-Holland’s response to the thinking and actions by the GoSL is also closely examined, as is its internal discussions concerning its role in the context as a humanitarian actor. A discourse analysis methodology is used to analyse the primary source material. It was found that when securitised MSF-H had various options in responding: Accommodation to the demands of the GoSL; withdrawal from the country; counter-attacking the government; or concealment—hiding itself from attention. Rejecting these MSF-H chose desecuritisation. In the 2006 period engagement between the actors was possible albeit difficult; the securitisation process was manageable through desecuritisation. However, in the 2008-2009 period securitisation prohibited action and speech, and desecuritisation was not effective. The thesis proposes a theoretical framework—a negotiation structure, within which to understand these interactions, based on the case study findings. The conclusion points to further research needs and discusses the usefulness of the proposed negotiation structure to other contexts.
Crisis management beyond the humanitarian-development nexus
Journal of Contemporary European Studies, 2019
The continuum in Rwanda after the genocide and in Indonesia after the Tsunami were typical of the unstructured processes which accompany the transition from humanitarian relief to development. The extent to which local ownership of governments and civil society is prepared and empowered to take charge following man-made or natural disasters is a major determinant of the length and sustainability of recovery. In the absence of standard patterns and processes, we are left with sets of principles and values, which are ultimately much more valuable as a guide to action. This book does well to distinguish the very different circumstances of recovery, both from natural disasters and from conflict.'-Stephen Browne, former UN Humanitarian and Development Coordinator 'The aid world is split into development and humanitarian assistance. This book tackles the long-standing question of how different aid instruments can best be combined to meet human needs defying categorization. It provides a rich series of case studies, as well as a unique Japanese perspective on the continuum of aid.'-Julia Steets, Director of the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi) 'This is an ambitious and honest effort to address and deconstruct the ongoing dilemma of responding to one crisis after the other in increasingly complex environments. This collection of articles demonstrates the non-linear nature of recovery and reconstruction. It is recommended reading for practitioners and scholars.'-Margareta Wahlstrom, President of Swedish Red Cross and former Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction 'An important contribution to current global conversations around crisis prevention and sustaining peace. Through detailed case studies from some of the most difficult conflict and disasters of the past 30 years, this book brings new analysis to the dilemmas around linking emergency response and long-term development that have eluded the aid sector for decades.'-Christina Bennett, Humanitarian Policy Group, Overseas Development Institute, UK Crisis Management Beyond the Humanitarian-Development Nexus In addressing humanitarian crises, the international community has long understood the need to extend beyond providing immediate relief, and to engage with long-term recovery activities and the prevention of similar crises in the future. However, this continuum from short-term relief to rehabilitation and development has often proved difficult to achieve. This book aims to shed light on the continuum of humanitarian crisis management, particularly from the viewpoint of major bilateral donors and agencies. Focusing on cases of armed conflicts and disasters, the authors describe the evolution of approaches and lessons learnt in practice when moving from emergency relief to recovery and prevention of future crises. Drawing on an extensive research project conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency Research Institute, this book compares how a range of international organizations, bilateral cooperation agencies, NGOs, and research institutes have approached the continuum in international humanitarian crisis management. The book draws on six humanitarian crises case studies, each resulting from armed conflict or natural disasters: Timor-Leste, South Sudan, the Syrian crisis, Hurricane Mitch in Honduras, the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia and Typhoon Yolanda. The book concludes by proposing a common conceptual framework designed to appeal to different stakeholders involved in crisis management. Following on from the World Humanitarian Summit, where a new way of working on the humanitarian-development nexus was highlighted as one of five major priority trends, this book is a timely contribution to the debate which should interest researchers of humanitarian studies, conflict and peace studies, and disaster risk-management.
Post Conflict Aid and Reconstruction
The aid architecture in post-conflict societies is complex as the Aid Regime includes various multilateral and bilateral donors, humanitarian aid, and international and national non-government organisations (NGOs) (Goodhand, 2006, p. 15). The purpose of this essay is to establish the compound failures of the international institutions in regard to policy, aid, and practice in Afghanistan. In order to reflect whether good policy is implementable, I will analyse Jonathan Goodhand’s case studies in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. To ascertain the Claim statement on Good Governance in Afghanistan: Will the template style of post-conflict intervention be responsive or irresponsive to the variations demanded by local circumstances? At the outset there are certain assumptions in the case studies. Both case studies rely on an actor-oriented approach and qualitative analysis; both relate to NGOs' conflict and peace-building; and both suffer from the human agency approach and mismanaged time frames. The last point is more pertinent in the case of Afghanistan (Goodhand, 2006, pp. 6-9). As set out above, the aid architecture in most post-conflict societies is complex. In order to address the issue, I analyse various case studies to compare and contrast Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, and provide a nuanced analysis complemented by description to give a unique explanation in each case only then can the failures of Afghanistan be understood in the concluding part. The similarities between the abovementioned countries are that both countries were classified as complex political emergencies and were linked to globalisation (Goodhand, 2006, p. 180). Peace in both countries was hampered by the failures of the top-down elite system explained later on.
Sword & Salve: Confronting New Wars and Humanitarian Crises
Journal of Peace Research, 2007
Arguing forcefully that changing times are a clarion call for new thinking, this book convincingly shows that if humanitarian organizations continue to operate as they have in the past, they will fail to help the very victims whom they try to save. Focusing especially on the emergence of 'new wars,' Hoffman and Weiss insist that humanitarian organizations must recognize that they live in a political world and that their actions and goals are invariably affected by military action. The brand of warfare that erupted in the 1990s-marked by civil or transnational armed conflicts featuring potent non-state actors, altered political economies, a high proportion of civilian casualties, and a globalized media-produced horrors that shocked consciences and led humanitarian agencies to question their unyielding stance of neutrality and impartiality. Indeed, in a departure from earlier norms and practices, some have reinvented their policies and tools and created 'new humanitarianisms.' This authoritative book traces the evolution of the international humanitarian system from its inception in the 1860s, parses the dynamics of war and emergency response from the 1980s through the current disasters in Afghanistan and Iraq, and provides a strategic roadmap for practitioners. By bringing historical perspective to bear, this volume provides an invaluable analytical framework for grasping the nature of humanitarian crises and how agencies can respond strategically rather than reactively to change. Students will find its blend of clearly presented theory and case studies a powerful tool for understanding the roles of state and non-state actors in international relations. By charting the tides of continuity and change, this book will prepare agencies to dodge both figurative and actual bullets that threaten humanitarian action at the outset of the millennium.
Redefining the Role of Humanitarian Organizations in Civil Emergencies
Connections: The Quarterly Journal, 2007
were students at the George C. Marshall Center in Garmisch-Partenkirchen; Ms. Petrusic is an independent expert on security issues. 1 This article discusses war, although the authors' opinion is that in the near future the possibility of large-scale direct military aggression is almost nonexistent.
The Role of Humanitarian Aid in Conflict
Journal of Conflict Management
Purpose: The term ‘humanitarian aid’ has outgrown its traditional Red Cross definition of ‘providing swift emergency assistance to people in disaster or emergency situations’. Today humanitarian action is commonly defined in a broader sense. The study sought to establish the role of humanitarian aid in conflict. Methodology: The research was purely qualitative. Desktop literature review was conducted. Critical analysis of the literature was conducted. Findings: The study found out that it is important to reiterate that humanitarian aid is not neutral in the midst of conflict. Aid and how it is administered can cause harm or can strengthen peace capacities in the midst of conflicted communities. All aid programmes involve the transfer of resources (food, shelter, water, health care, training, etc.) into a resource-scarce environment. Where people are in conflict, these resources represent power and wealth and they become an element of the conflict. Some people attempt to control and ...
Bringing Peace to Conflict Zones through Humanitarian Assistance
This thesis will look at ways in which humanitarian aid can bring peace to post-conflict zones looking at the debate on peacebuilding and statebuilding, issues with humanitarian aid and the role of the United Nations. Peacebuilding and statebuilding are necessary for post-conflict states to maintain long-term peace and stability. Humanitarian assistance will only be effective if it contributes toward the long-term goal of peacebuilding through statebuilding. UN-led humanitarian assistance in post-conflict zones should be administered in the context of a peacebuilding through statebuilding framework because immediate responses to a crisis play a critical role in determining the success of long-term peace. This thesis will argue that international responses to post-conflict situations are more likely to lead to long-term peace and stability if peacebuilding is central to their approach. Through partnership, planning and coordination, setting peacebuilding as the objective for providing humanitarian aid should result in the greater likelihood of long-term social, economic and political stability. The UN will demonstrate how the short and long-term priorities can be reconciled.