Civil-military coordination
Civil-military coordination is a United Nations doctrine that promotes dialogue between civilian organizations and the military during a humanitarian operation. To strengthen this dialogue, all parties must have some understanding of the operating procedures of our military or civilian counterparts.
The United Nations has mandated the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to be the keeper of this doctrine.[1]
Official definitions
The UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations defines civil-military cooperation for peacekeeping operations as:
- "[T]he system of interaction, involving exchange of information, negotiation, de-confliction, mutual support, and planning at all levels between military elements and humanitarian organizations, development organizations, or the local civilian population, to achieve respective objectives."[2]
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs defines civil-military cooperation for humanitarian operations as:
- "The essential dialogue and interaction between civilian and military actors in humanitarian emergencies that is necessary to protect and promote humanitarian principles, avoid competition, minimize inconsistency, and when appropriate pursue common goals. Basic strategies range from coexistence to cooperation. Coordination is a shared responsibility facilitated by liaison and common training."[3]
References
- ^ "OCHA CM-Coord".
- ^ United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). "Civil-Military Coordination Policy", September 9, 2002, 3-4. (see DPKO Office of the Military Advisor webpage)
- ^ UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the European Commission Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid. Civil-Military Coordination Office Field Handbook, Version E 1.0