Peacemakers: Chaplains as Liaisons to NGOs and Humanitarian Actors
Abstract
In conflict regions military commanders are challenged with a complex architecture of intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and international foreign humanitarian assistance mechanisms. Many humanitarian actors intersect in the battlespace seeking to alleviate human suffering, promote peace, and stability amidst competing interests. In conducting humanitarian action (HA) within conflict zones or following major disasters, commanders require subject matter experts who can efficiently communicate and coordinate action with humanitarian actors such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs, United States Agency for International Development, and various NGOs and IGOs. Department of Defense chaplains could significantly enhance national objectives by providing humanitarian Liaison Officer (LNO) capabilities to commanders at each level of military operations. Military commanders must work to coordinate movement and economy of effort with the various agencies who are often reluctant to meet with military forces for fear of compromising their image of neutrality. Commanders seeking to work effectively with humanitarian actors need a resource who understands the culture, mission, and values of the humanitarian space within the operational environment. Contemporary analysis on the subject lays a solid framework for the discussion of chaplains as LNOs in humanitarian assistance operations. As the commanders religious representative, chaplains may provide liaison to religious leaders, IGOs, NGOs, local civilian and military leaders, institutions, and organizations to the extent that those contacts relate to the religious or humanitarian purposes as approved by the commander. Current utilization as liaison is very limited and typically occurs on the tactical level.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 14, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1055030
Entities
People
- David R Leonard
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College