Civilian populations’ humanitarian requirements are often a consequence of war and conflicts. Humanitarian aid workers therefore often work in environments where military operations are in progress.
Byman says those who work with humanitarian support in such areas must of course have good relations with the military. But the humanitarian aid must definitely not be regarded as a part of a military strategy to win the confidence of the civilian population or as support for one particular side in the conflict.
“Our mandate is to alleviate suffering and save lives based on the basic principles of humanity, independence, impartiality and neutrality,” Byman says.
“This applies regardless of the background to the conflict, and regardless of which countries are responsible for the military presence – this means in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
Byman stresses that if you start tampering with these principles and accept military support for humanitarian efforts in dangerous areas, this could affect both the aid workers and those in need of help.
"Even though the intention is to facilitate a humanitarian effort, the result could be the exact opposite: that we are viewed as a part of the conflict and therefore as a military target,” he says
“Those of us within the humanitarian sector can win people’s confidence only by acting in a neutral and independent manner. That is our best protection.”
In recent years, it has become more difficult to carry out humanitarian efforts, Byman says. Crises and conflicts have become more complicated and brutal, and at the same time the mistrust of westerners has increased.
“Some suspect that we in the West have a hidden agenda with our aid efforts, and are not solely acting for humanitarian reasons,” he says.
“This makes it even more important that we act neutrally and independently.”
Co-ordination vital
When asked what the single most important issue is for humanitarian development aid to work effectively, Byman answers “co-ordination”. He has been working with humanitarian issues for almost 20 years, including in Bosnia in connection with the conflict in the Balkans. Help flooded in there from various countries and donors without any major efforts to co-ordinate it or any needs analysis, and at times the result was appalling.
“One country sent a lorry load of béarnaise sauce in small cardboard packages. It stood and blocked the way of other, more appropriate, cargo,” he says.
“Someone else sent large containers filled with water bottles to an area known for the quality of its springs, and which was not suffering from a lack of water at all. In total, there were about 4,000 aid organizations there, and this didn’t make the aid particularly effective.”
The UN now has responsibility for co-ordinating humanitarian intervention. This responsibility is stated in the UN resolution GA 46:182 adopted in 1991, which Sweden was involved in and helped to get passed. However, some countries or organizations still act alone to win political points at home or to strengthen their positions in a particular affected country.
Byman stresses that “Sweden doesn’t accept such solo efforts. Only organizations that participate in the UN-led organized co-ordination work on a disaster receive Sida support.
“Many players who act alone often choose to make only the most basic efforts in areas that are easy to get to. But we are responsible for reaching all those affected with just the help they need.”
Other important areas include common needs analysis and effective logistics.
“Common needs analysis may not sound as dramatic as delivering food packages and blankets,” Byman says.
“But if every donor is going to send out people to determine what needs to be done before they can act, we risk major delays and general chaos.”
The UN system has come a long way in terms of common needs analysis. Sida is also supporting a new, similar system for voluntary organizations, Assessment Capacities (ACAPS), which is to be co-ordinated with the UN’s assessments. This will lead to well-established decisions about efforts and quality assurance for donors.
The logistics – in other words, everything from transportation and other communication to accommodation for those affected and provision for aid workers – must run smoothly and be co-ordinated to make the aid work as efficient as possible and to minimize any negative effects of the efforts on the society affected.
“Sweden is good in these areas, and we actively participate in the UN’s efforts to develop routines in crises and disasters,” Byman stresses. “But there are always things that can be done better.”
Following the tsunami disaster of 2005, an evaluation group called the Tsunami Evaluation Coalition was appointed, which included the UN and Sida. The group’s assignment was to examine the effectiveness of the efforts following the disaster and to put forward proposals for improved routines. The group’s final report included a series of proposals that have proved important in subsequent disasters, including the earthquake in Haiti.
“The most important conclusions have to do with effective co-ordination and needs analysis,” Byman says.
“The importance of co-operating with the local population and local organizations is also highlighted. The donor community has occasionally taken over in a disaster and forgotten that the local forces have the best knowledge of their own environment.”
It is also important to include a long-term perspective in disaster efforts.
“When the Swedish Rescue Services Agency participated in an assignment following a flood in Mozambique, they also had courses for the country’s rescue services in how to evacuate people in disasters.” Byman says. “We’ve also taken part in similar efforts in Vietnam.”
He also highlights the UN’s cash-for-work initiative following a disaster. This means that the local population receives some compensation for helping to clear up after an earthquake, for example. Cash-for-work programmes have been implemented in various disasters in countries such as Kenya and Somalia, and are now being tested in Haiti.
Paying people a salary helps to get the local markets going quickly and, as a result, the local economy. This plays a major role in getting society to start functioning again. A humanitarian contribution can turn into more long-term development assistance. However, a humanitarian contribution will sometimes cease because the situation has returned to normal. Sida’s support for a refugee camp in northern Uganda is one such example.
“The security situation in the area has improved, so displaced people are now starting to return to their villages again and the camp can be closed,” Byman says.
“Obviously this feels very good for us as well.”
