Looking for a humanitarian lady

At the UN headquarters there is a bit of a fight about the position of Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, which is officially known as Emergency Relief Coordinator. The British Baroness Amos, who has led the humanitarian department of the UN since late 2010, has decided to leave the position, for reasons better known to herself. She announced her departure in November of last year. Since then, Prime Minister Cameron has tried to impose one of his party friends as the nominee, but the Secretary-General has found the candidate too weak and blatantly unqualified for the job. Cameron was actually advised to suggest other names. But the impasse goes on. And the other British names that have been mentioned in some corridors are not much better than Cameron´s friend.

My guess is that Ban wants to appoint a woman. Maybe Cameron or another Prime Minister elsewhere will come up with the right lady. 

The Armed Forces and the humanitarian response

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. 

Haiyan´s response is too slow

The international response to Super Typhoon Haiyan is rather slow and surprisingly modest at this stage. One of the reasons seems to be related to lack of leadership on the side of the international community. Every player is going about it on its own. There is no recognised leader, no visible coordinator of efforts.

The world emergency response mechanisms should be better prepared to tackle this type of major crisis. And apparently they are not.

Logistics are also a key shortfall. This is also very surprising. In the region there are major armed forces capabilities that could be mobilised to provide the logistical support. Actually, they are the only ones that have the vast operational means that are required to urgently assist the populations. Why is it not taking place? 

Haiyan and the international cooperation

Super Typhoon Haiyan has caused a major humanitarian disaster in the Philippines. I would like to see the EU emergency response machinery to be fully mobilised to provide assistance without any further delay. And to do so in close coordination with the UN.

Then, on a second phase, the donors should meet with the Manila government and be prepared to fund an extensive reconstruction and investment programme to rehabilitate and strengthen the resilience of the areas affected by the disaster.

You react to this by telling me I believe in a better world. Yes, I do. Enhancing international cooperation in situations like this is key step towards that world. 

Syria's humanitarian disaster

The UN humanitarian appeal for Syria, launched today in Geneva, is the largest in the history of the organization: US $4.4 billion, to cover the basic needs up to the end of the year. This stunning figure gives a clear indication of the size of the humanitarian disaster that is taking place in Syria and in the refugee camps, just outside the country.  The survival of about 50% of Syria’s population is at risk.

Is the appeal going to be responded to? Very often these days such calls are addressed to ears that pretend to be deaf. Let’s see, for instance, if all those governments that have been very quick at approving the supply of arms to both sides in conflict are as fast when it comes to the humanitarian dimensions.