Defence Forces Review 2010

Challenges of Civil Military CooperationAlthough the humanitarian sector disposes of a number of coordination mechanisms and hasa policy making body (Figure 2), no agency has the authority to take the lead and coordinatethe actions of others. Moreover, as Stephenson 5 contends, a strong competition amongagencies for resources, competition for media attention, high staff turnover, and the differentorganisational backgrounds, cultures and incentives do not create a conducive environmentfor inter-agency coordination.Coordination Mechanism Objective ResponsiblyCERF Stand-by disaster response funds OCHACAP Funds mobilization OCHAUNDAC Disaster needs assessment OCHAHIC Information OCHAMCDU Civil military coordination OCHAUNJLC Humanitarian logistics WFPFigure 2: Humanitarian Coordination MechanismsConceptual ConfusionOver the last two decades the civil military coordination concept has developed on two levels,the strategic level and the operational/tactical level. When it is used at the strategic level itrefers to a type of mission construct and when it is used at the operational and tactical level itrefers to a specific function within the military force. These multiple identities and meaningshave caused considerable confusion. At the strategic level civil military coordination is used tosuggest a multidimensional, whole of government or comprehensive approach, where variouscivilian and at least one military entity are engaged in a joint initiative or mission.At the operational and tactical levels, ‘civil military coordination’ is used to refer to thespecific policies, modalities, structures and tactics that are used to manage the relationshipbetween the military and other components of an operation. At this level the focus haspredominantly been on the humanitarian military relationship, and two distinct sets of policieshave developed over the years: one policy set that deals with the relationship from a militaryperspective, e.g. NATO Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) doctrine, and another, dealingwith it from a humanitarian perspective, i.e. UN Humanitarian Civil Military Coordination(UN CMCoord).On examining the role of military forces during humanitarian emergencies three roles can beassumed:1. They can promote a climate of security for civilian populations and humanitarianorganisations and provide protection for the relief effort.5 Stephenson Jr., M. (2004), “Making Humanitarian Relief Networks More Effective: Exploring the Relationships Among Coordination, Trust and SenseMaking,” Paper prepared for Delivery at the National Conference of the Association for Research on Non-Profit Organisations and Voluntary Action(ARNOVA). Los Angeles, California.51