Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a critical role in humanitarian assistance and development, acting as primary responders in crises and working alongside military forces in peace support operations. They have seen significant growth due to various global challenges and are defined as private, non-profit entities focused on improving the quality of life for disadvantaged groups. The document emphasizes the need for unity of effort among various stakeholders in crisis response, highlighting the importance of cooperation, coordination, and consensus.

1. NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
AND PEACE OPERATIONS
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2. WORLD BANK NGO DEFINITION
“Private Organizations that pursue activities to relieve
suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect
the environment, provide basic social services, or
undertake community development.”
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3. NGO’s
 Dramatic Growth
beginning in 2d half of 20th Century
 Over the past several decades, NGOs have
become major players in all international
relief efforts, development, cause advocacy,
and in advancing the concept of a “global
civil society”
 Billions of dollars spent annually on relief and
sustainable development programs
2005 earthquake in Pakistan
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4. WHY THE DRAMATIC GROWTH IN NGOs
 Negative Perception of the Welfare State
 Development Crisis
 Perceived Global Environmental Crisis
 Discrediting of Socialism
 Communications Revolution
 Global Economic Growth
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5. NGOs
 Overview
 NGOs Play a Key Role in Humanitarian Assistance and
Development
 NGOs are the Rapid Response element for humanitarian
disasters all over the world
 “Foot Soldiers” for International relief efforts
 Military in Peace Support Operations will have to work with
NGOs
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6. HUMANITARIAN CRISIS RESPONSE
ELEMENTS


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
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United Nations System (Agencies)
Official National Donor Government Aid Agencies
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
International and National NGOs
Coalition Military Forces
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7. GOAL IS: UNITY OF EFFORT
Achieved Through:
 Consensus
 Coordination
 Cooperation
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8. UNITY
OF EFFORT
Must Be Achieved While Recognizing:
 Different Cultures of Response
Elements
 Disparate Assessments
 Different Missions & Tasks In Crisis
 Diverse Goals
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9. NGOs--WHAT THEY ARE NOT
 Not Governments…
 Not Businesses...
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10. ANOTHER DEFINITION OF AN NGO
“A Self-Governing Private, Not For Profit Organization That
Is Geared Toward Improving The Quality Of Life Of
Disadvantaged People”
Refugees - Kosovo
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11. NGO TYPES
The term NGO is very broad and
encompasses many different types of
organizations
 Advocacy NGOs
 Operational NGOs
 Relief
 Development
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12. ADVOCACY NGOs
•Their primary purpose is to defend or
promote a specific cause and to influence
policies and practices
•Examples: Amnesty International and the
Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
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13. OPERATIONAL NGOs
 Their primary purpose is field work in
humanitarian relief and design, development
and implementation of development related
projects.
 Operational NGOs are the one’s the military
must work with in a cooperative relationship in a
PSO
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14. NGOs IN HUMANITARIAN CRISES
Provide Life Saving Interventions
 Food Distribution
 Shelter
 Water
 Sanitation
 Medical Care
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15. OPERATIONAL NGOs
ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORKS
 Headquarters in one Country (ICRC)
 Many Autonomous National Chapters (Save the
Children)
 Many National Fund Raising Offices, Pooled Funds,
With A Single World-Wide Field Organization (World
Vision)
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16. OPERATIONAL NGOs
ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORKS
(cont.)
 Autonomous National Headquarters with Field
Organization. Work Assigned by Central
International Organization (CARE)
 Field Work Done Only Through Indigenous Local
NGOs (Oxfam America)
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17. NGO “CULTURE”
SURVEY QUESTION:
 Why Work In Relief/Development?
 Altruistic—Concern for Others
 Financial ---Make Money
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18. ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURES


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NGO
MILITARY
Controlled Application of
Violence
Hierarchical
Generally Conservative
Explicit Mission Statements
Not Comfortable With
NGOs
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Help The Disadvantaged
Non-Hierarchical
Generally Liberal
Intangible Missions
Not Comfortable With The
Military

19. NGO “CULTURE”
Typical Western NGO:
 Young & Idealistic
 Liberal Arts Degree
 Believes in Sustainable Development
 Little Formal Operational Doctrine
 Few Formal Training Courses
 Significant Organizational Competition
 Increasing Security Concerns
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20. VOLUNTARY CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS
 Humanitarian Imperative Comes First
 Aid Is Given Regardless of Race, Creed or
Nationality on the Basis of Need Alone
 Aid Will Not Be Used To Further a Particular
Political or Religious Standpoint
 We Shall Endeavor Not To Act As Instruments of
Government Foreign Policy
 We Shall Respect Culture & Custom
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21. VOLUNTARY CODE OF CONDUCT
(cont.)
 Build Disaster Response On Local Capacities
 Involve Program Beneficiaries In The Management of
Relief Aid
 Reduce Future Vulnerabilities As Well As Meet Basic
Needs
 NGOs Accountable Both To Beneficiaries & Contributors
 Disaster Victims Are Dignified Humans, Not Hopeless
Objects
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22. GOVERNING PRINCIPLES
 Humanity
 Impartiality
 Neutrality
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23. UNITED NATIONS AND NGOs
 UN Charter
 Articles 63 and 64
 Article 71
 UN General Assembly Resolution
43/131
 Importance of NGOs
 States to Facilitate Work of NGOs
 States to Support to NGOs
 Cooperation With Humanitarian
Assistance Organizations Set Up by UN
 Security Council Chapter 7 Authority to
Authorize NGO Humanitarian Relief
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24. RISKS TO NGOs &
HUMANITARIAN AID WORKERS

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Dangerous Environment
1994 Safety Convention – Not Solution
Safety Needs – Acceptance, Protection & Deterrence
Safety Aids – Information, Planning, Training,
Coordination, Psychological Assistance
 Security Council Responsibilities
 When to Go / When to Stay
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25. NGO STRENGTHS (World Bank Study)
 Strong grassroots links
 Field based development expertise
 Ability to innovate and adapt
 Process oriented approach to development
 Participatory methodologies and tools
 Long-term commitment and emphasis on
sustainability
 Cost effectiveness
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26. CRITICISM OF NGOs
 Have Lost Their Independence--Just Another Arm Of
Governments
 Too Close To The Corporate World
 Fund Raising Is Their Primary Concern
 Excessive Living Standards In The Midst Of Poverty
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27. FIELD COOPERATION MECHANISMS
 Coordination Lead Designated by UN
 Humanitarian Operations Coordinating
Committees (HOCCs)
 On-Site Operations Coordinating Centers
(OSOCC)
 Civil Military Operations Centers (CMOC)
 Civil Military Integration Centers (CIMIC)
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28. SUMMARY
 Many Participants in Peace Operation
 NGOs Play A Key Role In Humanitarian Assistance
 Absolutely Necessary To:
 UNDERSTAND THE “PLAYERS”
 COORDINATION MECHANISMS
 PURSUE UNITY OF EFFORT BY EMPHASIZING:
COOPERATION-COORDINATION-CONSENSUS
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