Save the Children’s Patrick Watt recently argued that combining humanitarian and security domains risks the safety of humanitarians:
“If aid is to be effective it must be planned and carried out in close and trusted consultation with affected communities,
It is clear that soldiers involved in the conflict in Afghanistan should not be carrying out sensitive and complex humanitarian work with vulnerable communities.
It is only through impartial aid organisations, such as Save the Children, that essential rebuilding can be done safely and successfully.”
Mr. Watt is making an impossible argument here. There are real benefits to be gained from partnering with the military, but let us put that aside. Strictly from a political prospective, it is inappropriate to expect governments to isolate development spending from strategic considerations while waging a war. If integrating civilian development efforts with the military prevents even a handful of combat casualties, the risks would be well worth it in the eyes of governments.
Christopher Albon is a Ph.D. candidate specializing in armed conflict, public health, human security, and health diplomacy.
Want more? Subscribe to Conflict Health through RSS or email.
Comments on this entry are closed.