Aid During Conflicts: Interaction Between Military and Civilian Assistance Providers in Afghanistan

An Assessment of humantarian-assistance efforts by the interaction between civilian and military providers in the early phases of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan may eventually be seen as a turning point for U.S. government involvement in complex humanitarian-assistance operations. From the perspectives of both military and civilian assistance providers, the first year in Afghanistan was generally successful: A major humanitarian disaster was averted, refugee flows were handled effectively, and assistance helped stabilize the country. At the same time, there were serious problems of coordination among the various military and civilian personnel providing humanitarian and humanitarian-type assistance. Some aspects of OEF, such as the continuation of major combat operations while simultaneously conducting reconstruction and state-building activities, were unique, and even potentially precedent-setting. Other aspects, such as tension between military and civilian assistance providers over proper roles, were familiar from past operations. This report assesses relief, reconstruction, humanitarian, and humanitarian-type aid efforts in Afghanistan from October 2001 to June 2002. Since this was the most intense phase of military operations, the study emphasizes the military aspect of civil-military operations. It identifies critical issues, both positive and negative, and evaluates coordination among various civilian and military aid providers. The report concludes with a list of recommendations for government policymakers, implementers, and civilian aid providers, based on the lessons learned from the Afghanistan experience Preliminaries......Page 0 Preface......Page 4 Contents......Page 10 Summary......Page 12 1. Introduction......Page 26 2. Assistance in Times of Conflict: The Pre–September 11 Experience......Page 30 3. Afghanistan Before Operation Enduring Freedom......Page 48 4. Civil-Military Operations: Planning and Cooperation Between September 11 and October, 2001......Page 63 5. Assistance Efforts Between October 7 and December 5, 2001......Page 69 6. Humanitarian Assistance and Reconstruction Efforts Between December 5, 2001 and June 1 2002......Page 91 7. Conclusion: Issues and Recommendations......Page 122 Appendix: International Involvement in Afghanistan......Page 138 References......Page 150 Assistance In Times Of Conflict : The Pre-september 11 Experience -- Afghanistan Before Operation Enduring Freedom -- Civil-military Operations : Planning And Cooperation Between September 11 And October 31, 2001 -- Assistance Efforts Between October 7 And December 5, 2001 -- Humanitarian Assistance And Reconstruction Efforts Between December 5, 2001 And June 1, 2002. Olga Oliker ... [et Al.]. Prepared For The Office Of The Secretary Of Defense And The U.s. Agency For International Development. Mg-212. Includes Bibliographical References. Also Available Via The Internet. Description and evaluation of relief, reconstruction, humanitarian, and humanitarian-type aid efforts in Afghanistan during the most intense phase of military operations, from September 2001 to June 2002. The efforts were generally successful, but there were serious coordination problems among the various civilian and military aid providers. Critical issues, both positive and negative, are identified, and a list of recommendations is provided for policymakers, implementers, and aid providers, based on lessons learned. The broad international humanitarian assistance effort in Afghanistan during the initial stages of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), from October 2001 to June 2002, was generally successful.