The Increasing Presence of Military Forces and the Independence of NGOs

NGOs have had to work with military forces in the past, but increasingly, the military is taking on roles that are not traditionally associated with military objectives. The desire of military forces, including combat forces, to be involved in “humanitarian” work and to assist in peace-building and development work pose serious dilemmas for NGOs. The case of Afghanistan, where there are both combat forces and peacekeeping forces entering into “humanitarian” work, will not be an isolated case. There is a very real risk that the independence of NGOs will be compromised and the lines between the humanitarian and the military will become further blurred: not only in Afghanistan, but in future situations. How should NGOs be addressing this challenge?

The push on the part of the military to be involved in “new areas” should not be accepted as a fait accompli by the NGO sector, particularly when the implications have not been adequately thought through by NGOs. What are the implications of the military moving further into humanitarian work on the populations and on the work of NGOs? What are the longer-term consequences of the military being involved in humanitarian, peace-building, and development work? What position should NGOs be taking vis-à-vis this increased military presence? Where do we, as NGOs, go now in terms of addressing the issue?