Letter from ICVA Conference, 14-15 February 2003

TO:
Participants in
Humanitarian Meeting Iraq
Geneva, Switzerland
15-16 February 2003

On 14 February 2003, members of the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA) from all over the world met at our triennial conference in Geneva. As we began discussion of the many challenges facing non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in a changing world, the Security Council was meeting in New York over potential armed action in Iraq .

ICVA is a global network of over 80 humanitarian, development and human rights NGOs. All of the members of ICVA share a common aim-preventing and alleviating human suffering wherever it may be found nd ensuring full respect for the dignity and rights of the human person as laid down in international law.

ICVA represents tens of thousands of aid workers from many countries, most of whom deal daily with the realities of human suffering caused by war, natural disasters and chronic disparities in the distribution of wealth. We know firsthand the ravages of war. We work with refugees, displaced people and have helped for decades to reconstruct communities devastated by conflict. In Iraq and the region, we continue to address humanitarian needs of people affected by the Gulf War. At this conference we heard strong testimonies from Afghan NGOs about the ongoing difficulties of rebuilding their country. That reconstruction process will take decades.

It is in the context of this long experience that many of our members feel strongly that war is not a solution in Iraq. ICVA urges that every diplomatic means available is fully explored by the international community. At the same time, we note with great concern that military preparations for conflict are significantly advanced. In some countries, political leaders appear to be readying their people for war.

In the event of military action, the human misery caused directly by weapons of war, perhaps including biological, nuclear or chemical weapons, will be great. It is clear also that there will be massive indirect humanitarian consequences. The suffering of the Iraqi population, already disastrous as a result of dictatorship, sanctions, and a barely functioning infrastructure, will be catastrophic. The majority of the Iraqi population relies on the United Nations for basic food assistance. Over five million particularly vulnerable women and children will require immediate food aid. Millions of desperate Iraqis are expected to flee their homes. As many as two million people may become internally displaced and up to one and a half million more refugees may seek to flee across borders into neighbouring States.

But the costs of war will not only be felt in Iraq. The massive financial cost of operations in Iraq and any subsequent humanitarian assistance program threatens to divert attention of donors and NGOs from other crises where there are equal human needs and equivalent obligations to protect human rights.

In light of the overwhelming evidence that a war on Iraq will be a humanitarian disaster, we call on those countries contemplating war in Iraq to carefully consider the human and financial consequences of such a decision.

We recognise, however, that planning must begin now if the international community is to be ready to mitigate the consequences of war. In preparing to respond to the needs of the Iraqi population ICVA urges that States ensure that the possibility for humanitarian action is preserved. Those in need must have access to impartial assistance delivered by non-belligerents.

The importance of safeguarding the humanitarian space is both a moral and pragmatic imperative. First, humanitarian actors operate on the basis of the core principles of impartiality and independence. Military forces, by their very nature, can embrace neither. Impartiality requires that those providing humanitarian assistance act without discrimination, regardless of race, creed or nationality and that priorities are determined on the basis of need and not affiliation. The principle of independence demands that humanitarian actors do not seek to implement the policy of governments, but solely to advance humanitarian aims. Second, clarity regarding the essentially different objectives and roles of military and humanitarian actors is also a practical necessity in complex conflicts to ensure the safety and security of beneficiaries.

ICVA calls on States to renew their commitment to the following core principles of humanitarian response:

• First, contingency planning and funding for assistance activities must be conducted in a transparent manner in order to ensure that role and independence of humanitarian actors is assured.
• Second, universal access to humanitarian relief must be ensured by all parties active on the ground.
• Third, those fleeing conflict and persecution must be permitted to cross into neighboring States in search of safety, in full conformity with international refugee and human rights law.
• Fourth, there must be a long term commitment on the part of States to support the Iraqi people in their struggle to secure their basic human rights. Many of our staff are currently wrestling to help communities in Afghanistan secure even the most basic tools for survival, amidst widespread fear and insecurity.

We hope that these insights form the NGO community can enrich your discussions during the next two days on this issue of vital humanitarian urgency.

Anders Ladekarl
Chair, International Council of Voluntary Agencies