NGOs have traditionally
played a vital role as global first responders in a seemingly
endless series of complex humanitarian emergencies, particularly
since the end of the Cold War. Although NGOs may not find themselves
in this traditional role in a "hot-zone" in the chemical,
biological, radiological, nuclear and high yield explosives
(CBRNE) paradigm, it is recognized at a minimum that they may
need to plan to withdraw or evacuate their staff to a "cold
zone" and/or treat and support victims fleeing from a contaminated
area. Some argue that there exists a duty to care for victims
of such a disaster.
In
response to growing concern over the impact of a CBRNE (pronounced
"sea-burn") incident on humanitarian response operations,
"Traditional Responders: Non-Traditional Roles,"
a three-day senior level seminar/game co-sponsored by the
Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian
Assistance (COE)
and the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA),
with the support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) and
the American Council for Voluntary International Action (InterAction),
was organized to heighten the awareness of senior leadership
and seasoned practitioners from non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) of the issues, hazards and existing mechanisms associated
with a response to a CBRNE event - with a view to laying the
foundation for a coordinated inter-agency and inter-organizational
response in a contaminated environment.
More
than 50 representatives from NGOs, U.S. Government Agencies,
International Organizations, academic institutions and the
International Committee of the Red Cross participated in the
conference, which featured an optional activity to observe
Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) training of the 93rd
Civil Support Detachment of the Hawaii National Guard.
The
real and heightened threat of a disaster with CBRNE hazards
producing devastating consequences for civilian populations
poses unique challenges and enhanced risks to the disaster
response community that requires a non-traditional approach.
It is widely recognized that successful management of the
consequences of such an event will require extraordinary coordination
between a host of actors - governmental, non-governmental,
civilian and military - that may not have a well established
understanding of each other's roles and responsibilities,
mandates, comparative advantages and potential constraints.
The
conference, which brought together subject matter experts
on CBRNE contaminants and hazards from a variety of US Government
and international agencies (see
participants list), was not intended to be country-specific
or overly technical but rather to provide a forum for a broader
"mile wide, inch deep" discussion to enable the
participants to meet the following conference goals:
- Understand
the operational environment surrounding a Chemical, Biological,
Radiological, Nuclear and high yield Explosives (CBRNE)
contaminated environment;
- Understand
the responsibilities, capabilities, and potential limitations
of response organizations;
- Determine
and examine NGO questions and concerns over emergencies
that involve CBRNE contaminants;
- Identify NGO
capacity building measures (i.e. training and equipment);
- Examine establishment
of plans for improving communication and coordination.
This
report provides an overview of the game scenario, moves and
methodology, a summary of recommendations from the working
groups on the final day of the conference as well as a participants
list and selected CBRNE resources. An interactive CD-ROM with
all initial seminar/game products was distributed prior to
participant departure.
The
content of this report summarizes the opinions, comments and
work product of seminar participants. It does not necessarily
represent the views or policies of the conference co-sponsors
or supporters. The primary purpose of this report is to stimulate
interest to further address the issues raised in this seminar
and future events of this nature, and to encourage continued
dialogue among interested organizations.
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