A recent report published by the UK Overseas Development Institute and the US Stimson Center assesses the impact of integrated missions on humanitarian response in conflict-affected regions. While integration of UN missions remains a polarizing issue, according to the report, such an approach is expected to remain an enduring operating procedure for the UN as a whole that will impact upon the doctrine and professional standards of humanitarian agencies for the years to come.
Through the
integration of political, peacekeeping, and humanitarian objectives, the UN is
mandated to support national and regional political processes aimed at promoting
and maintaining peace and security, while also providing emergency relief assistance to populations in need. Humanitarian assistance, as recognized under
international humanitarian law, must be provided in accordance with the
principles of independence, neutrality, and impartiality. As a result, the
amalgam of humanitarian activities with political and security agendas is often
perceived among humanitarian professionals as a major threat to their modus
operandi and the distinctiveness of the “humanitarian space”. Many believe that the integration of security, political, and humanitarian
objectives may confuse parties to armed conflicts and endanger humanitarian access
to vulnerable groups. Interestingly, the ODI/Stimson report observes that there
is no concluding evidence that integrated missions have caused greater
insecurity among humanitarian workers.
Moving forward, the
ODI/Stimson report recommends the implementation of a pragmatic approach at the
field level to ensure greater cooperation and clarity on the distinct missions
of UN agencies operating in the same environment, particularly in light of
differing perspectives regarding direct engagement with non-state armed groups.
Given that pressure toward greater integration has become a common feature of
UN mandates, humanitarian professionals must therefore reach a new consensus among
themselves on how to cooperate with colleagues from the security and political
mediation sectors on a case-by-case basis. With respect to the risks faced by
humanitarian professionals working within an integrated mission framework,
further research is required to assess the nature and level of associated risks
to their operational access.
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