Growing the Sheltering Tree Growing the Sheltering Tree

FP105FP105 Neighbourhood or Village Watches Can Providea Basic Early Warning SystemThis tactic involves the assignment of watches (periodsof observation) in high-risk areas. Persons onwatch are instructed to report any unusual activities toa central point in order to get help. Systems enablinground-the-clock notification of international organizations(if present) must be devised whenever feasible,especially in cases where the police or other authoritiesare responsible for carrying out abuses or are notable or willing to protect citizens. Warning systemsneed not be ‘high tech’. In Rwanda, according to ahuman rights monitor, discussions with Tutsi residentsin villages near the border or in other areassubject to attack by returning Hutu militias followingthe genocide in Rwanda revealed that Hutu militiasknew the villages well, even down to where each personwas sleeping. Villagers, with the support of thehuman rights monitor, developed a basic civil defencesystem, where lookouts were assigned just outside thevillage to keep watch. If any suspicious movement wasnoticed, the lookouts banged loudly on jerry cans as awarning to those sleeping. The word would be passedon to other villages and an alarm system set up tonotify local defence forces if there was an incursion.Similar watches have been set up around theperimeter of refugee or IDP camps, and could beimportant in protecting refugee women from sexualassault by outsiders. Humanitarian organizationscould encourage the development of such watches andperhaps work with the community to provide incentivesfor those willing to keep watch and to developstrategies to approach authorities regarding any incursionsinto the camp or attacks upon camp residents.96