Handbook for Emergencies - Second Edition (UNHCR, 1999, 414 p.): 24. Working with the Military: Categories of Military Forces

Handbook for Emergencies - Second Edition (UNHCR, 1999, 414 p.)

(introduction...)

Using the Handbook

Introduction

Abbreviations

UNHCR's Mission Statement

1. Aim and Principles of Response

(introduction...)

Definition and Aim

Responsibilities

Principles of Response

2. Protection

(introduction...)

Introduction

Protection in Emergencies

Initial Actions

Physical Safety of Refugees

Emergencies as a Result of Changes in Government Policy

Other Persons of Concern to UNHCR

Durable Solutions

Key References

Annexes

3. Emergency Management

(introduction...)

Introduction

The Key Emergency Management Functions

Stages in Refugee Emergency Operations

Key References

4. Contingency Planning

(introduction...)

Introduction

Planning as a Process

Contingency Planning Tasks

Characteristics of a Good Plan

Key References

Annexes

5. Initial Assessment, Immediate Response

(introduction...)

Introduction

Organizing the Assessment

Immediate Response

Protection and Material Assistance

Key References

Annexes

6. Operations Planning

(introduction...)

Introduction

Operations Planning Tasks

Allocation of Responsibilities

Annexes

7. Coordination and Site Level Organization

(introduction...)

Coordination

Organization at the Site Level

Key References

Annexes

8. Implementing Arrangements

(introduction...)

Introduction

Implementing Arrangements

Implementing Procedures

Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation

Special Considerations

Key References

Annexes

9. External Relations

(introduction...)

Relations with Government and Diplomatic Corps

Relations with the Media

Funding and Donor Relations

Formal Written Communications

Annexes

10. Community Services and Education

(introduction...)

Overview

Introduction

Organizing Community Services

Human Resources

Family Tracing and Reunification

Groups at Risk and Vulnerable Groups

Education

Key References

Annexes

11. Population Estimation and Registration

(introduction...)

Overview

Introduction

Population Estimates

Registration

Key References

Annexes

12. Site Selection, Planning and Shelter

(introduction...)

Overview

Introduction

Organization of Response

Criteria for Site Selection

Site Planning: General Considerations

Site Planning: Specific Infrastructure

Shelter

Reception and Transit Camps

Public Buildings and Communal Facilities

13. Commodity Distribution

(introduction...)

Overview

When to start distribution

Choosing a Commodity Distribution System

Components of Distribution Systems

The Role of Refugee Women

Monitoring

Key References

14. Health

(introduction...)

Overview

Introduction

Health Assessment, Planning, Monitoring and Surveillance

Main Health Programmes

Organization of Refugee Health Care

Human Resources and Coordination

Key References

Annexes

15. Food and Nutrition

(introduction...)

Overview

Introduction

Organization of Food Support

Nutritional Assessments

General Feeding Programme

Selective Feeding Programmes

Infant Feeding and use of Milk Products

Key References

Annexes

16. Water

(introduction...)

Overview

Introduction

Assessment and Organization

The Need

Immediate Response

Water Supply Systems

Water Sources

Pumping Equipment

Treatment

Storage

Distribution

Key References

17. Environmental Sanitation

(introduction...)

Overview

Introduction

Basic Principles And Standards

Human Resources And Organization

Human Excretia Disposal

Solid Wastes

Wastewater

Pest and Vector Control

General Hygiene

Disposal Of The Dead

Key References

Annexes

18. Supplies and Transport

(introduction...)

Overview

Introduction

Organization of the Supply Chain

Supplies

Transport

Reception of Goods

Storage

Stock Management

Key References

Annexes

19. Voluntary Repatriation

(introduction...)

Overview

Introduction

UNHCR's Role in Voluntary Repatriation

Conditions For a Voluntary Repatriation

On Route

On Arrival in Country of Origin

Key References

Annexes

20. Administration, Staffing and Finance

(introduction...)

Introduction

Emergency Staffing

Budget and Finance

Non-Expendable Property and Office Supplies

Office Premises

Official Transport

Office Organization

Key References

Annexes

21. Communications

(introduction...)

Introduction

Communications Management

Telecommunications

UNHCR Telecommunications Network Field Preparations

Key References

Annexes

22. Coping with Stress

(introduction...)

Introduction

Identifying Stress Symptoms

Techniques for dealing with Stress

Key References

23. Staff Safety

(introduction...)

Introduction

The UN Security System

Essential Plans

Security

Security Management

Key References

24. Working with the Military

(introduction...)

Introduction

Categories of Military Forces

Possible Roles of Military Forces in Humanitarian Operations

Coordination Between Military Forces and Civilian Agencies

Key References

Appendix 1 - Catalogue of Emergency Response Resources

Appendix 2 - Toolbox

Appendix 3 - Memoranda

Appendix 4 - Glossary

Categories of Military Forces

6. The military forces with which UNHCR may be involved or encounter include:

i. UN forces (peacekeeping);

ii. Regional or other forces acting under UN authority;

iii. Regional military alliances (e.g. NATO and ECOMOG), ad hoc coalitions;

iv. National forces;

v. Non-state forces.

UN Forces

UN Peacekeeping Forces

7. UN forces ("blue berets") usually fall into the categories of observer missions or peacekeeping forces. These UN forces are assembled from countries willing to contribute and who are acceptable to all the parties to the conflict.

8. Observer Missions are made up mainly of lightly armed officers whose main function is to interpret the military situation to assist political and diplomatic mediation.

9. Peacekeeping forces usually contain combat units with logistics support. In the past, peacekeeping activities have included:

i. Positioning troops between hostile parties, thereby creating buffer or demilitarized zones and the opportunity to act as a liaison between the parties to the conflict;

ii. Promoting the implementation of cease-fires and peace accords by observing and reporting on military activity, assisting in the disengagement, disarmament and demobilization of forces and prisoner exchanges;

iii. Assisting local administrations to maintain law and order, facilitating free and fair elections by providing security;

iv. Protecting humanitarian relief operations by securing warehouses and delivery sites and routes, escorting humanitarian aid convoys, ensuring security for humanitarian aid workers, and providing logistics support;

v. Supporting humanitarian operations by undertaking engineering tasks for the maintenance of essential utilities, services and aid delivery routes in a time of crisis, disposing of mines and other weapons, delivering humanitarian relief supplies or providing logistics assistance to humanitarian agencies.

UN Mandated or Authorized Forces

10. Under Chapter VII of the UN Charter the Security Council may authorize or mandate the deployment of national or regional forces with a "war-fighting" capability. These forces normally will have tighter security rules than UN peace keeping Forces and Observer Missions, and UNHCR staff may find access to facilities or information more difficult. Mandated forces often do not report to a civilian chief inside the area of operations, and may therefore see themselves as acting independently of the international authority directing the civil and humanitarian programmes.

Regional Forces

11. UNHCR may also work alongside regional forces such as peacekeeping or intervention forces set up under the direction of regional institutions (for example, the Organization for African Unity, (OAU) or NATO.

National Forces

12. Humanitarian agencies may have to coordinate or negotiate with host country military, police, gendarmerie, militia or other armed elements. UNHCR staff should balance the advantages and disadvantages of accepting assistance or security from such forces, particularly in circumstances where there is no clear command structure.

Non-state Forces

13. These often consist of rebel groups, militia and other armed groups which have little or no sense of discipline, a poorly defined chain of command and often no discernible political programme.