UNHCR~ Working with the military ~

What is UNHCR?UN refugee agency mandated to lead and coordinate

international action for the world-wide protection of refugees and the resolution of refugee problems

Established on 14 December, 1950 by the UN General Assembly

Mandate extended every 5 yearsHigh Commissioner reports to the UN General Assembly

through the Economic and Social Council

Basic factsStaffing: 5,000 personsGeographical presence: over 120 countriesBenficiaries: 20.6 million persons(Asia: 9.3 mill. Europe: 4.4 mill. Africa: 4.5 mill. N. America: 1 mill. L. America & Caribbean 1 mill. Oceania 0.7 mill)Budget: USD 1 billion annual Almost entirely by voluntary contribution from governments. Less than 2% received from UN regular budget for admin. costs

Who are “people of concern” to UNHCR?

Refugees:People who have entered another state because of a well

founded fear of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particula social group or (in the case of Africa & L. America) fleeing war/serious public disorder

Returnees: Refugees who have returned home Others who may be of concern: Internally displaced people (under certain conditions) Stateless persons

International protection in practice

Ensuring respect for a refugees’ basic human rights Ensuring no person will be returned involuntarily to a

country where s/he has a reason to fear persecution (principle of non-refoulement)

Promote and monitor implementation of international refugee law/ agreements

Seek durable solution either through repatriation, local integration, or resettlement

Provide basic needs (shelter, food, water, sanitation and medical care etc)

WORKING WITH THE MILITARY

Based on: Working with the Military (1995)A UNHCR Handbook for the Military on Humanitarian Operations (1995)UNHCR Handbook on Emergencies, 2nd EditionWorking with the Military: A Field Guide for UNHCR Staff (2003)

Working with the military~ Debate within UNHCR ~

Involvement of the military may compromise the security of the beneficiaries and UNHCR staff – eg: delivering assistance with military vehicle/ armed escorts to one group in a conflict area may cause resentment on the others who are not receiving same assistance

Safety and security of UNHCR staff/ partner agencies depend upon the perception among the local community – eg: how are the different military forces perceived by the population

Possibility of being drawn into the political dimension of the conflict

The 3 Humanitarian PrinciplesHumanity

Human suffering should be relieved wherever it is found.

ImpartialityHumanitarian assistance should be provided to

those in need.Neutrality

Humanitarian relief should be provided without bias and humanitarian actors must not allow

themselves to become allied with a party to the conflict

STANDARDS of ACCOUNTABILITY to the COMMUNITY and BENEFICIARIES for ALL HUMANITARIAN & DEVELOPMENT

WORKERS in SIERRA LEONE

When working with beneficiaries of humanitarian & development assistance in Sierra Leone we must conduct ourselves in a manner befitting such a responsibility. Humanitarian & development workers must:

• promote fundamental human rights without discrimination of any kind and irrespective of sex, race, age, ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.

• treat all persons with respect, courtesy, and according to Sierra Leonean law, international law and local customs.

• never commit any act that could result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to individuals, especially women and children.

• never condone or participate in corrupt activities or participate in the trafficking of children, drugs, diamond dealing and the trading of arms.

• never abuse their position to withhold humanitarian and development assistance, nor give preferential treatment, in order to solicit sexual favours, gifts, payments of any kind, or advantage.

• ensure that all confidential information, including reports of breaches of these standards by colleagues, obtained from beneficiaries or colleagues is channeled correctly & handled with utmost discretion.

• ensure that reports of breaches of these standards are immediately reported to the head of agency or human resources manager who are expected to take prompt investigative action.

• uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, integrity and transparency.

Bottom line for the humanitarian agencies

The humanitarian agencies: reserve the term “humanitarian” for humanitarian

agencies’ work advocate for humanitarian work to be done by

humanitarian agencies plan and appeal for humanitarian work to be done by

humanitarian agencies guard their acquired, assumed or mandated role =

“humanitarian space”each agencies may differ in the strictness of

interpretation, which can lead to different operational procedures

UNHCR’s cooperation with “various military”

National military – response to the influx of refugees within their national borders, provision of camp security, protection to relief convoys/ offices/ warehouses

UN/ Regional Peacekeepers – interaction varies from mission to mission.

Peace enforcement missions – In exceptional situations, for security and support to the delivery of humanitarian assistance, when there is breakdown of consent.

Non state actors – maintain contact and exchange information to ensure access to beneficiaries and to secure the safety of staff, beneficiaries and UNHCR assets and operations.

Border security screening

International Military Support for UNHCR Operations

~ scenario ~

1. Where law and order are lacking and humanitarian activities are carried out in an insecure environment, peacekeepers or other international armed forces may be mandated by the Security Council to ensure the secure delivery of assistance to the victims of conflict

2. Military resources may be used to augment the capacity of UNHCR to implement the High Commissioner’s mandate

Expectation in the cooperation with the international military

Provide a safe working environment Provide freedom of movementHave a healthy level of information sharingHumanitarian support tasks including

providing heavy equipment

it may lead to disappointments & misunderstanding at the initial phase of military deployment due to

different priorities

Role of the military in humanitarian assistance

1. Physical protection of beneficiaries usually carried out by the national police, some cases by national army or international military or

civilian police force

2. Physical protection of UNHCR staff National army/ police has the responsibilities to protect UN

Staff. International peacekeeping/ enforcement bodies may be

mandated to provide security, evacuation assistance to staff, medical treatment, training in areas such as mine awareness.

3. Protection of Humanitarian Operations ensuring freedom of movement, ensuring security for humanitarian workers, refugees

and local population, providing security of supply and transit routes, clearing mines, opening roads, waterways, airspace, securing warehouses and humanitarian delivery sites, securing offices, residential area, essential

infrastructure, public service, escorting humanitarian aid convoys

etc

4. Operational support to UNHCR Providing logistical support, inc. airlift (last resort, through

Government Service Packages) Liaising with other military forces and authorities Providing information on the affected population and security

situation Engineering support for maintenance of essential utilities Providing available equipment/ infrastructure Providing human resources including engineers, planners,

security/ training officers

5. Escorting UNHCR convoys As a general rule, UNHCR convoys travel without military or

police escorts Exceptions: esp. when there is a lack/ failure of consent by

the warring parties involved

Cooperation with UNAMSIL in Sierra Leone

• Best practices

– DSRSG as Humanitarian Coordinator

– Benchmarks for safety in returnee areas

– UNHCR/UNAMSIL joint missions in RUF areas

– Cooperation in range of areas (e.g. logistics, human rights)

• Areas for improvement

– Need for training re UN standards to reach all peacekeepers

– SGBV problems/ inappropriate response

– Sidelining of UNAMSIL Human Rights Section by military

– Need for deeper UNAMSIL involvement in internment issues = ensuring civilian character of refugee camps

Dabola

Albadaria

Kissidougou

Sembakounya

Telikoro

Kountaya

Boreah

Achievements 2002Achievements 20021. Continued facilitated return

2. Opened new routes for return

56,000 voluntary repatriations.

3. + 42,000 from host communities / temp. settlements

Taiama

Gerihun

Bandajuma

TS

JembeTS

TS

KenemaBo

FREETOWN

CONAKRY

TC

Mambia

Jui Lumpa

TC TC

Waterloo

TC

TS

H

H Loko Massama

Barri

Sinje II

Zuannah VOA

BanjorSamukai

Sinje I

N

5. Emergency assistance to Liberian refugees, transport from border (up to 45,000)

6. Construction of new camps / Conversion of returnee sites

WS

WS

WS

WS

4. Reintegration activities in areas of return

7. Preservation of the civilian nature of camps

8. Establishment of GBV response systems

Daru

Kambia

Kono

Kailahun

Zimmi

Thank you!Any questions?

www.unhcr.ch