I
wrote yesterday that the response to the typhoon disaster in the Philippines
calls for a deep involvement of the Armed Forces, both from the country and
from outside – US, Australian, Malaysian, Indonesian, etc. The magnitude of the
logistical challenges, particularly airlifting of assistance, can only be met
by means available within the military. No civilian humanitarian organisation,
including the UN, can gather the operational means it takes to bring food
and shelter to the large number of victims, some of them in very remote areas.
Some
of my humanitarian friends do not like the idea of having the soldiers
implicated in humanitarian operations. And a couple of them told me they had
serious issues with my post of yesterday. But my answer is very simple: this an
extreme situation that fully justifies a very close collaboration between the
humanitarian agencies and the Armed Forces. Thousands of lives are at stake and
need urgent help. They can only get it if the cooperation takes place. No
doubt about it.
And
we have no time to waste on doctrinal issues. This is a time to move fast and
effectively.
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