Planning for Future Humanitarian Assistance Operations: Using the SAO to Establish the NGO Working Relationship.

Abstract

Abstract : This paper was initiated in response to the Joint Warfighting Center's request for a paper discussing the subject, 2010 C2 of NGOs and PVOs. This paper addresses the concern that in the future (as now), the Joint Force Commander (JFC), will still not be able to command or control nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and private volunteer organizations (PVOs) and elaborates on how the JFC can most effectively consult and coordinate with NGOs and PVOs. Presenting the recent operations PROVIDE COMFORT, RESORE HOPE, and UPHOLD DEMOCRACY as examples, this paper attempts to review the criteria which allows for successful completion of humanitarian assistance (HA) operations by the JFC working with NGOs. Using this criteria, as well as, the guiding Joint Doctrine, the paper presents an option for planning for future RA operations now by establishing liaison and developing a rapport between the U.S. Military and NGOs in the developing world. The paper proposes that liaison by Security Assistance Officers (SAOs) working for the various unified (combatant commander) commanders in chief (CINCs) will develop a rapport which allows the U.S. military to review operating procedures with NGOs and provide for success in future HA operations. Also, these NGOs will be force multipliers for the future JFC in HA operations. The paper further proposes that due to the international nature of NGOs, the relationship established in one country will assist operations in another country which may or may not have an SAO.