Research Catalog

Title

To stay and deliver : good practice for humanitarians in complex security environments / Jan Egeland, Adele Harmer and Abby Stoddard.

Author

Egeland, Jan.

Publication

[New York, N.Y.] : Policy Development and Studies Branch (PDSB), UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), c2011.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Harmer, Adele.
• Stoddard, Abby, 1966-
• United Nations. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Policy Development and Studies Branch. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2010069413

Description

xiv, 88 p. : ill.; 28 cm.

Summary

"Providing humanitarian assistance amid conflict has always been a dangerous and difficult endeavour; however, over the last decade aid worker casualties tripled, reaching over 100 deaths per year. From 2005 onwards the largest numbers of violent attacks on humanitarian personnel have been concentrated in a small number of countries representing the most difficult and volatile operating environments. Attacks in some of these settings have also grown more lethal and sophisticated and the number of kidnappings has risen dramatically. As a result, the humanitarian footprint has shrunk in some conflict areas where violence has surged in recent years, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Somalia. Access can diminish both as a direct result of violence and as a consequence of the obstacles and conditions created by militaries, governments, and nonstate actors that hinder the impartial provision of aid. In an effort to maintain their presence and continue to deliver on their humanitarian commitments, a number of humanitarian organisations have strengthened their risk management capabilities, and they have explored innovative strategies and operational practices aimed at creating greater acceptance for their activities and increasing their access to affected populations. In response to growing concerns regarding the insecurity of aid operations and the resulting decline in humanitarian access, the present study, commissioned by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), set out to identify and document those strategies and practices that have enabled humanitarian organisations to maintain effective operations in contexts characterised by high security risks. In the second half of 2010 an independent research team, led by former Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland, undertook six field studies in complex security environments, conducted interviews with 255 humanitarian practitioners and policymakers, surveyed over 1,100 national staff members, and carried out a desk-based review of organisational literature and case-based evidence. This report synthesises the findings as well as specific inputs and guidance received from the study's Advisory Group."--Excerpted from Executive summary, p. 1.

Series Statement

Policy and studies series

Uniform Title

Policy and studies series.

Alternative Title

Good practice for humanitarians in complex security environments

Subject

• Human security
• Humanitarian assistance
• Humanitarianism
• International relief
• Philanthropists > Violence against
• Security, International

Note

• "Independent study commissioned by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)."

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. 53-58).

Contents

Authors -- Foreword -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Advisory Group Members -- Acronyms -- Glossary -- Executive Summary -- 1. Introduction -- 1.1. Background and aims of the study: Why humanitarian security, and why now? -- 1.2. Methodology -- 1.3. Key concepts and recent developments in humanitarian operational security -- 2. The threat environment: Challenges to secure and effective humanitarian access -- 2.1. Trends in security for humanitarian workers -- 2.2. Differentiating threat contexts -- 2.3. Intrinsic vulnerabilities of the humanitarian community -- 3. Good practice for gaining and maintaining access in high-risk environments -- 3.1. Active acceptance-based approaches -- 3.2. Negotiating access -- 3.3. Remote programming: Strategic localisation of operations, not risk transfer -- 3.4. Low-profile approaches -- 3.5. Protective measures: 'Smart protection', not bunkerisation -- 3.6. Deterrent measures: Issues around armed protection -- 3.7. Other operational means for enhancing secure access: Programming options, coordination, partnerships, and resourcing -- 4. Political constraints -- 4.1. The role of host governments -- 4.2. States, specifically donor governments -- 4.3. Non-state armed actors and the terrorist label -- 4.4. International humanitarian advocacy and negotiation -- 5. National and local humanitarian actors: Key issues -- 5.1. National perspectives on threat and risk -- 5.2. Duty of care and responsible partnership -- 5.3. Coordination and consultation -- 5.4. Principles and perceptions -- 6. Conclusions and recommendations -- Bibliography -- Annexes -- 1. Study concept note -- 2. People interviewed -- 3. Survey instrument and summary results -- 4. Legal documents.

ISBN

• 9789211320312
• 9211320313

Owning Institutions

Princeton University Library