IASC Weekly Meeting, 23 April, 2008

Inter-Agency Standing Committee

IASC Weekly Meeting

Summary Note

23 April 2008

Geneva

I  Integrated Missions and Humanitarian Assistance

Presenter

Mr. Mark Prasopa-Plaizier, Conflict and Humanitarian Policy Adviser, Oxfam International,

Key Issues Discussed:

Mr. Prasopa-Plaizier briefed participants on Oxfam’s recently completed policy on United Nations Integrated Missions and Humanitarian Assistance, covering UN peacekeeping operations and/or humanitarian operations where the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and Department of Political Affairs (DPA) were present. There was also a complementary Oxfam International policy completed on Multi-Dimensional Military Missions and Humanitarian Assistance, which focused on interventions initiated by external national, regional, or multinational forces, often without initial UN approval.

Mr. Prasopa-Plaizier said the United Nations was increasingly bringing together its different functions in single ‘Integrated Missions’ in those countries that were in transition from war to peace. Integration, however, created its own risks, including that of associating humanitarian workers with one side of a conflict, and the consequent risks of attacks on humanitarian workers and the people they are assisting. Mr. Prasopa stressed that customised integration, good co-ordination, political will, and adequate means are key elements in achieving the best results for people in need of protection and assistance.

He added that the Multi-Dimensional Military Missions were designed to succeed by integrating military, political, and humanitarian assistance, and the effective co-ordination of international action was important in ensuring that all people in need of protection and assistance receive it. Mr. Prasopa said that when the whole mission was on one side of a contested conflict, as in Afghanistan, the integration of military, political, and assistance functions can also create the risk that the other side may attack humanitarian workers perceived to be associated with it. This situation can critically undermine humanitarian’s ability to provide vital humanitarian assistance.

OCHA presented its views on a number of challenges related to integrated missions. OCHA's focal point on this subject is Mr. Amjad Abbashar at the Policy Development and Studies Branch in New York

During the discussion, participants stressed the importance of maintaining humanitarian independence and being cautious in practices, such as which agencies co-lead the protection cluster in the field. Oxfam acknowledged the usefulness of liaison officers and stressed the need for more awareness raising among force contributing countries.

The two Oxfam policy papers and the power point presentation are available on the IASC website. http://www.humanitarianinfo.org/iasc/content/documents/docsdetails.asp?meetID=1518&agendaID=2114&publish=9

AOB

Due to the IASC Principal Meeting in Geneva on 30 April 2008 there will be no IASC Weekly Meeting. The next IASC Weekly Meeting will be held on 7 May 2008.

Prepared by: IASC Secretariat (Geneva)

Participants:

1 / Mr. Ruediger Schoecg / ICVA /
2 / Mr. Niels Scott / IFRC /
3 / Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli / ILO /
4 / Ms Fatima El-Moustaoui / Islamic Relief /
5 / Ms. Chiara Capozio / OCHA /
6 / Ms. Salla Himberg / OCHA /
7 / Mr. Jamie McGoldrick / OCHA /
8 / Ms. Victoria Metcalfe / OCHA /
9 / Ms. Aoibheann O'Keeffe / OCHA /
10 / Ms. Ana Sanchez / OCHA /
11 / Ms. Gudrun Van Pottelbergh / OCHA /
12 / Ms M. Baszanger Chloe / OHCHR /
13 / Ms Taryn Lesser / OHCHR /
14 / Ms. Rachel Rico / OHCHR /
15 / Mr. Mark Prasopa-Plaizier / OXFAM Int. Secr. /
16 / Mr. Marc Joly / Save the Children /
17 / Ms. Laila Baker / UNFPA /
18 / Ms. Reem Alsalem / UNHCR /
19 / Mr. Stephen Gonah / UNHCR /
20 / Ms. Janis Cummings / UNICEF /
21 / Ms. Elena Mancusi Materi / UNRWA /
22 / Ms. Treta Thapa / WFP /
23 / Mr. Philippe Guiton / WVI /
24 / Mr. Dean Hirsch / WVI /
25 / Mr. Peter Neussl / IASC Secretariat /
26 / Ms. Darla Silva / IASC Secretariat /
27 / Ms. Mirlinda Pasoma / IASC Secretariat /
28 / Mr. Raafat Abdel-Tawwab / IASC Secretariat /

Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC)