Key Resources for
Understanding of Civilian Humanitarian Agencies in Context of Civil-Military
Relationships
· Websites
- ReliefWeb (www.reliefweb.int) - ReliefWeb is the world’s leading on-line gateway to
information (documents and maps) on humanitarian emergencies and
disasters. An independent vehicle of information, designed specifically
to assist the international humanitarian community in effective delivery
of emergency assistance, it provides timely, reliable and relevant
information as events unfold, while emphasizing the coverage of
"forgotten emergencies" at the same time. ReliefWeb was
launched in October 1996 and is administered by the UN Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
- UN Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA) (www.ochaonline.org) – OCHA is
a UN agency that has three primary tasks within the UN system: a) coordination of humanitarian response, b) policy
development and c) humanitarian advocacy.
- OCHA’s Military and Civil
Defence Unit (MCDU) (http://ochaonline.un.org/webpage.asp?MenuID=5109&Page=984)
- OCHA’s MCDU was established in 1995 to ensure
the most efficient use of military and civil defence assets in support of
humanitarian operations. The MCDU serves as the UN focal point for
governments, international organizations and military and civil defence
establishments for the employment of these assets in humanitarian
situations and coordinates their mobilization when needed.
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UN
Humanitarian Information Centres (www.humanitarianinfo.org)
- Humanitarian
Information Centers (HIC) support the co-ordination of humanitarian assistance
through the provision of information products and services. The HIC supports the decision-making
process at headquarters and field level by contributing to the creation of a
common framework for information management within the humanitarian community.
- UN Joint Logistics Center
(UNJLC) (www.unjlc.org) - The mission of the UNJLC is to optimise and complement the
logistics capabilities of cooperating agencies within a well-defined crisis
area for the benefit of the ongoing humanitarian operation.
- International Committee of
the Red Cross (ICRC) (www.icrc.org)
- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial,
neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian
mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and
internal violence and to provide them with assistance. It directs and
coordinates the international relief activities conducted by the Movement
in situations of conflict. It also endeavors to prevent suffering by
promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian
principles. Established in 1863, the ICRC is at the origin of the
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
- InterAction (www.interaction.org) –
Interaction is an alliance of US-based international development and
humanitarian non-governmental organizations.
- AlertNet (www.alertnet.org) - Reuters AlertNet is a humanitarian news network based
around a popular website. It aims to keep relief professionals and the
wider public up-to-date on humanitarian crises around the globe.
- Resources/Documents Located
On-Line
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MCDA
Guidelines - Guidelines on the Use of Military and Civil Defence
Assets to Support United Nations Humanitarian Activities in
Complex Emergencies (http://ochaonline.un.org/DocView.asp?DocID=426)
- Publications
- Guides to IOs, NGOs and the Military in Peace and
Relief Operations by Pamela Aall, Lt. Col. Daniel Miltenberger, and
Thomas G. Weiss. Published by the United States Institute of Peace.
- Strengthening the Partnership: Improving Military
Coordination with Relief Agencies and Allies in Humanitarian Operations
by Daniel Byman, Ian Lesser, Bruce Pirnie, Cheryl Benard, Matthew Waxman.
Published by the Rand Corporation.