Humanitarian disillusions
On August 28th, Al-Jazeera English broadcast a report that the Salvadorian contingent of the MNF-I will be renewed in Iraq, highlighting their "reconstruction and humanitarian assignment". It's not the first misuse of the humanitarian concept. Everyone is aware of the existence of Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Iraq and Afghanistan. Perhaps fewer people know that some Private Security Companies (PSCs), that are often compared to mercenary companies, justify their presence through "humanitarian" reasons.
For example, the British Aegis, well known in Iraq for the video broadcast by its personnel showing them firing at civilian vehicles with Elvis Presley as accompanying background music. As one of the largest PSC worldwide they have created the "Aegis Foundation", which has been active across Iraq since 2004 and "has completed a wide range of projects assisting communities in urgent need, from providing clean drinking water for schools and inoculations against water-borne diseases to supplying hospitals and medical clinics with generators and essential equipment." The International Peace Operation Association (IPOA), which, at the exact opposite of what its name suggest is a trade association of some of the most prominent PSC and has rules of engagement in its Code of Conduct, doesn't hesitate to talk about the "benefits of military in humanitarian role" in its newsletter.
They are not the only ones. Militias, political parties, and private companies are trying to use what they term "humanitarian" actions as a mean to complete their own agendas. Unfortunately, with the rise of the "humanitarian wars" concept after the 9/11 attacks, military propaganda has taken and abused the notion of "humanitarianism". This rhetoric puts genuine humanitarian principles and the aid workers who adhere to them at risk. Especially if, in a country as Iraq, these real humanitarian aid workers become mistaken for western interests representative or affiliated to international "security" forces, often considered as occupation or mercenaries.
So what does genuine humanitarian action mean?
First, Humanitarian workers don't have any other agenda than saving
lives. Humanitarian action is not a means to an end, it's an objective. It's an agenda itself. It's an ethic based on morality. Second, Humanitarian actors have values and principles. They promote humanity, addressing human suffering with particular attention to the most vulnerable population based on impartially assessed need. They are non-violent. They are not-for-profit. They are independent from government, political parties, etc. They are impartial. As much as possible they are neutral, meaning that they don't take side in a conflict. They are accountable to their constituents, and donors, but also to their beneficiaries. These principles should be enough to make a difference with other actors on the ground, even with those that are providing relief. However, all authentic humanitarian agencies and actors have to recall this reality daily, and differentiate themselves from those who defend another agenda. Especially in a highly politicised context such as Iraq, true humanitarian workers have to show their independence and impartiality as often as possible and should promote the good work as much as they can. It isn't easy when the only way to deliver to the most vulnerable population and to stay alive is to keep a low profile. Yet, without courageous, sometimes foolhardy, genuine Iraqi aid workers physically present in the "hot spots", without independent and impartial aid agencies on the ground, the situation in Iraq would have been certainly worst that it is today, after 4 years of war and privations. The situation might indeed be worst for populations that have been regularly attacked or persecuted, for those who have been targeted or under pressure of the above mentioned "security forces". Above all it may have been worse when these actors are publicising that they are bringing them "relief and humanitarian aid". Because they just forget to highlight something: they bring relief in return for the support of the people they help, and they have another agenda behind their apparent good will. Genuine Humanitarian aid workers and agencies have not.
Salaam, NCCI Team