Civil Protection Research Articles

Introduction to the Symposium “The monusco Intervention Brigade at Ten” Ten Years of the monusco Intervention Brigade: International Law Concerns on the Future of Peacekeeping and the Protection of Civilians

Abstract This is an introduction on a special issue on ‘The monusco Intervention Brigade at Ten’. The special issue includes three articles that discuss the impact of ten years of practice of the monusco Intervention Brigade on peacekeeping in general and the protection of civilians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in particular.

Training for Emergencies - How Germany is Preparing for Large-Scale Emergencies Using the EUROMED 2024 Civil Protection Exercise as an Example

Abstract. Every year, numerous major events with thousands of participants take place around the world, for which extensive safety measures are taken to ensure the well-being and safety of visitors. Nevertheless, incidents that lead to injuries and deaths occur time and again. This year, Germany is looking forward to the UEFA EURO 2024, an international football championship for which the host country, Germany, has made extensive preparations on several levels. One component of this is the Medical Task Force (MTF) of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK), which has trained a possible medical service deployment in the event of a mass casualty incident with a specially coordinated series of exercises. The extent to which current remote sensing data can make a useful contribution and be meaningfully integrated was analyzed during the large-scale EUROMED exercise with the help of an airborne camera system on board a helicopter. The system provided up-to-date aerial images of the exercise site, but was also used to record the traffic situation during the transfer of the vehicle convoys to the exercise site. In addition, state-of-the-art AI-based image analysis methods were tested on site and the results were provided and evaluated. An important operational exercise to bring science and practice together step by step in order to be better prepared for an emergency.

Formation and Development of Professionally Important Qualities of Civil Defense Specialists at Higher Education Institutions

The article deals with the peculiarities of the formation and development of professionally important qualities of civil defense specialists at higher education institutions. Different approaches to the definition of the concept of «professionally important qualities» are analyzed, according to which the concept is considered as biologically determined (physiological, psychological, innate abilities and inclinations), individual and psychological properties of a personality as a specialist as well as personal properties formed and developed in the process of training and professional activities. The author considers some classifications of professionally important qualities of a civil defense specialist. For any type of professional activity, such professionally important qualities as discipline, responsibility, accuracy, attentiveness, observation, sensitivity, punctuality, restraint, ingenuity, ability to self-control and professional self-assessment of one's own states and actions, purposefulness, developed visual and figurative memory and analytical thinking are relevant. Risky professions require physical endurance, coordination of movements, dexterity, ability to tolerate heavy physical loads and high temperatures, determination and courage, mental and emotional stability, risk-taking, ability to switch, distribute, concentrate and hold attention, react quickly to the situation and make independent decisions and act in extreme conditions, a sense of duty, etc. The following groups of professionally important qualities for civil defense specialists are identified and substantiated: psychophysiological, intellectual, emotional and volitional, moral and ethical, managerial and communicative. The possibilities of their formation and development in the process of cadets' professional training at a higher education institution are considered.

Human Rights Violations: The Entry Point for International Troops into Papua

This research explores human rights violations in Papua, focusing on the feasibility of international troop deployment as an intervention strategy against a backdrop of severe abuses such as extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests documented by organizations such as Amnesty International. The study aims to assess the potential role of international troops in safeguarding human rights and maintaining peace, using a qualitative methodology to analyze secondary data from human rights organizations and governmental sources to identify trends and challenges. The main contributions include highlighting gaps in existing interventions, proposing a conceptual framework for international troop deployment that considers legal, political, and ethical dimensions, and contextualizing issues of state sovereignty and regional diplomacy within the ASEAN framework. Specific findings indicate that while international troop deployment could enhance civilian protection and accountability, it faces significant barriers, including legal constraints related to international law, political resistance from local authorities and neighboring states, and ethical concerns such as the risk of escalating violence and undermining local governance. The study concludes by suggesting a balanced approach emphasizing dialogue, sustainable development, and cooperation within ASEAN to address human rights issues in Papua effectively.

The Force Intervention Brigade in the drc, Civilian Security and Women Peace and Security

Abstract This article examines the UN Security Council (unsc) authorised Force Intervention Brigade (fib) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (drc) and the component of the mandate that articulates civilian security as a rationale for justified force. In examining civilian protection (articulated as both civilian security and as the protection of civilians), we explore the parallels between the women, peace and security agenda and the image – versus the reality – of civilian vulnerability in the drc. In focusing on the narratives of civilian security we explore how the ten years of repeat authorisations for the fib replicate heteronormative and colonial tropes that have ultimately undermined security in the drc and, for international lawyers, undermine peacekeeping principles, authorisations of force, and understandings of consent. The contradictions between the Security Council’s commitments to addressing and preventing conflict-related sexual violence and the mobilisation of the fib are drawn on to demonstrate the ways in which gender simultaneously strengthens the Council’s legitimacy and yet produces few spaces of significant change from a feminist perspective. We conclude that not only is the legacy of the fib detrimental to women’s security in the drc given reports of sexual exploitation and abuse (sea) perpetrated by peacekeepers but that the fib has transformed peacekeeping away from peace, embedding militarised responses to a complex humanitarian crisis.

Violations Committed by Israel in Armed Conflicts Under International Humanitarian Law

Introductioan: War has various aims and objectives, including under the pretext of self-defense to defend life, family, honor or to defend one's nation, to ideological issues. The wars that occur also often violate international humanitarian law. One of them is between Israel and Hamas.Purposes of the Research: To find out violations of international humanitarian law committed by IsraelMethods of the Research: This research uses an normative juridical research method. Normative Juridical Research is research on Norms, Principles, Rules and Principles based on statutory regulations related to the problem being studied. The approaches used are the statutory approach, the conceptual approach, and case aprroach.Results of the Research: The results of the research show that according to international humanitarian law, violations committed by Israel in armed conflict involve actions that violate the principles of protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. Humanitarian law, as set out in the Geneva Conventions, prohibits attacks on non-combatants and requires protection of vital facilities such as hospitals and schools, as well as access to humanitarian aid.

Operational Stress, Coping Strategies and Psychological Well- Being Among Paramilitary Officers in the Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State

There have been reported cases of operational stress experienced by security and paramilitary officers in Nigeria ranging from high to moderate on a continuum of duty posts. Many officers tend to experience operational stress that affects their psychological well-being and productivity. Thus, a study on the influence of operational stress and coping strategies on psychological well -being among paramilitary officers in Bade LGA., Yobe State. The study objectives were: to examine independent influence of operational stress and coping strategies on the psychological well-being of paramilitary officers in Bade, LGA; investigate the joint influence of operational stress and coping strategies on the psychological well-being of paramilitary officers in Bade, LGA. A total of 220 participants, comprising Police (60), Civil Defense (50), Correctional Service (45), and Federal Road Safety Corps (65) were used with purposive sampling techniques. Three standardized instruments namely: Operational Stress; Psychological well-being, and Coping Strategies Scales, were used. Simple linear and multiple regression analyses were performed. The findings revealed that operational stress and coping strategies independently and jointly predicted psychological well-being among paramilitary officers in Bade LGA [F (1,218) =43.956; P<.01; F(1,218) = 51.423; P<.01]; [F (2,137) = 47.153; P<.01] . The study recommended, among others, that the Federal Government of Nigeria should increase the number of paramilitary formations and personnel in Northeast Nigeria with a view to reducing workloads for efficiency and psychological well-being. Additionally, resilience training for coping strategies should be provided by the Federal Government of Nigeria to improve psychological well-being.

The role of the United States in shaping youth mental health advocacy and suicide prevention through foreign policy and media in conflict zones

This article explores the significant role of the United States in shaping youth mental health advocacy and suicide prevention through its foreign policy and media initiatives in conflict zones such as Iraq, Syria, and the Israeli-Gaza War. The U.S. has actively contributed to improving mental health outcomes by supporting humanitarian programs, facilitating mental health services for displaced youth, and funding initiatives aimed at addressing trauma caused by war. The paper highlights how U.S. foreign policy, through diplomatic efforts and peace-building interventions, has promoted human rights and stability in these regions, providing essential aid to vulnerable populations. In addition, the United States remains a global leader in promoting peace and safety, advocating for the protection of civilians, and upholding international standards of human rights. By working with international organizations, the U.S. has played a key role in ensuring that mental health and suicide prevention programs are integrated into post-conflict recovery efforts, creating safer environments for youth affected by war. Media coverage of U.S. efforts has also helped raise global awareness of the mental health challenges faced by young people in these conflict zones, further amplifying the need for continued advocacy and international support. This paper aims to demonstrate the United States' commitment to fostering global peace and ensuring that young populations have the resources they need to recover from the impacts of conflict, thereby strengthening mental health advocacy on a global scale.

The Implementation of the Spirit of National Defense and Students Caring Attitude Through Extracurricular Scouting Activities

The objectives of this research include: 1) To find out the general description of the implementation of the spirit of state defense of students at SMK Negeri 1 Pangkep. 2) To find out the general description of the caring attitude of students at SMK Negeri 1 Pangkep. 3) To find out and analyze the implementation of the spirit of state defense and the caring attitude of students through extracurricular scouting activities at SMK Negeri 1 Pangkep. The type of research chosen is qualitative narrative using the case study method. This research was conducted at SMK Negeri 1 Pangkep, South Sulawesi Province. in the third week of May 2024 to the fourth week of July 2024. Data collection techniques in this study through observation, interviews and documentation. The results showed that the implementation of the spirit of state defense with its indicators was well implemented, namely (1) love of the homeland, (2) Awareness of the Nation and State, (3) Belief in the State Ideology Pancasila, (4) Willing to Sacrifice for the Nation and State, not yet optimal (5) Have the Ability to Defend the Country. Then the implementation of the social care attitude of students at SMK Negeri 1 Pangkep is included in the category that has been well implemented through indicators: (1) honesty, (2) compassion, (3) humility, (4) friendliness, (5) kindness, and (6) always helping others. And in general, the relationship between the spirit of state defense, caring attitudes and extracurricular activities of students at SMKN 1 Pangkep through indicators, namely (1) discipline, (2) independence is still not optimal, (3) having noble character and noble character, (4) having the spirit of Pancasila, being loyal and obedient to the Republic of Indonesia, still needs to be improved (5) attitude of togetherness, (6) paying attention to common interests, (7) polite behavior, (8) respect for others, (9) cooperation attitude, and (10) sense of belonging.

A Multidisciplinary One Health Approach to Addressing Unsanitary Conditions: The Case of Cascais

Abstract Unsanitary conditions in domiciles often stem from complex social and health-related issues, involving the elderly and/or individuals with mental health problems. These situations typically lead to a decreased quality of life for those involved, directly and indirectly, and may pose a risk to public health depending on their magnitude. In Cascais municipality, identified cases of unsanitary conditions undergo a multidisciplinary analysis. It has been established a Local Technical Group for Domiciliary Unsanitary Situations, comprising various institutions such as local authorities, law enforcement agencies, civil protection, health and social security ministries, and the animal rescue center. This group operates under a One Health approach, encompassing human health, environmental health, and animal health. Interventions are determined by the working group, with the aim of promoting health and enhancing citizens’ quality of life. Cases of unsanitary conditions reported are subsequently discussed within the technical group, which has regular meetings, and may organize joint assessment visits and appropriate actions. This social and environmental initiative responds to the growing need to address unsanitary and cluttered living conditions, which significantly impact individuals’ physical, emotional, and social well-being. The objective is to restore housing conditions in homes by removing waste and unnecessary items, contributing to general individual well-being. While international studies suggest a correlation between unsanitary conditions and hoarding disorder, it’s crucial to differentiate between distinct and independent situations caused by various physical, psychological, and cognitive processes. The establishment of a Local Technical Group for Domiciliary Unsanitary Situations exemplifies a proactive approach to addressing complex health and social challenges, emphasizing collaboration, and holistic intervention strategies, always with a One Health approach. Key messages • Addressing unsanitary conditions is crucial for safeguarding public health, impacting physical, emotional, and social well-being. • The establishment of a Local Technical Group for Domiciliary Unsanitary Situations, under a One Health framework, reflects a collaborative approach to addressing complex health and social challenges.

Intimate Partner Violence: Access to Protection Beyond the Pandemic

Civil protection orders are the most common legal remedy victims pursue in response to intimate partner violence (“IPV”). They are more empowering for victims than the criminal legal system because victims themselves, instead of prosecutors, drive the process, and they offer more flexible and tailored relief. This Article argues that victims should be able to choose how they file petitions and participate in civil protection order hearings, and that judges should be required to honor those preferences absent good cause. This conclusion is driven by two new, original sets of empirical data collected from IPV survivors who have sought civil protection orders and legal services providers who assist victims with navigating the process. The data from legal services providers provide a picture of court protective order procedures in jurisdictions across the country from before, during, and in the late stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, once public health restrictions were generally lifted. This complements the rich data about the lived experiences of survivors who sought a protection order against their abuser during the pandemic in one of New York City’s five family courts. 85% of participants in this study are women of color, whose lived experiences are especially important to understand because they comprise a population that is disproportionately impacted by IPV. The data indicate that IPV victims have diverse preferences with respect to method of participation in hearings, based on their varying needs, concerns, priorities, and circumstances. The current landscape of procedures across the country largely fails to account for this diversity by mandating a particular participation method or by allowing individual judges to do so in accordance with their own preferences. Based on the research results, this Article argues for codifying “accessible process pluralism” in state protective order statutes. This statutory framework would give petitioners the opportunity to indicate their hearing participation preference on the petition itself and require judges to follow these choices absent good cause, among other accessibility-focused provisions. By harnessing the innovations and lessons from the pandemic, this proposal promotes survivor empowerment and access to justice for both petitioners and respondents.

The European Mobile Laboratory: key insights from a decade of outbreak response

Abstract EMLab has responded to emergencies including the West Africa Ebola virus outbreak (2014-2016), the COVID-19 pandemic, and outbreaks of yellow fever, Marburg virus, and Lassa fever. It has deployed mobile labs and experts to many countries, including Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Germany, and Greece. With accumulated experience from each deployment, EMLab’s diagnostic expertise has evolved beyond RT-PCR and serological testing to include basic point-of-care tests, haematology, and genomic surveillance capacities, also focusing on interoperability with other response capacities such as EMTs. Critical to mission success, the organization works closely with the WHO and GOARN, and was certified in 2023 as an official German response capacity within the European Civil Protection Pool. The two-year continuous deployment from 2014-2016 was pivotal in shaping EMLab’s evolution, also leading to significant capacity-building efforts in West Africa. In Guinea, for example, a surveillance network of three diagnostic laboratories has been established and successfully detected cases of viral haemorrhagic fevers, including the re-emergence of Ebola virus and the first reported case of Marburg virus in Guinea in 2021. Ultimately, EMLab’s extensive experience demonstrates that effective public health emergency response requires constant evolution, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to building local capacities, paving the way for a more resilient and prepared global health community.

Why Do Peasants Fight Rebels? The Cases of Civilian Defence Forces Against the FARC in Southern Tolima, Colombia

ABSTRACT Why do civilians engage in Civilian Defence Forces (CDFs) to confront insurgents if it is more dangerous than pacific resistance? This paper addresses two cases of peasant-centric CDFs in southern Tolima, Colombia. Based on secondary sources and interviews, a rich historical account of the CDFs is presented, allowing the application of process tracing for analysis. A framework to explain CDFs, recognising the interweaving of local security dilemmas and the macro-cleavage of the civil war, is proposed. Three determinants were found: previous participation of civilians in organised violence, legitimation of violent responses and the cooptation of community conflict resolution institutions.

Clothing design factors, aesthetic experience, and preference: Additional insights from neuromarketing in civil defense clothing

ABSTRACT This study analyzed the relationships among clothing design factors, aesthetic experience, and preference and suggested ways to design civil defense clothing with better work performance. We use behavioral and electroencephalogram (EEG) experiments to identify user-preferred colors and styles and incorporate them into an improved civil defense clothing design. Through the behavioral experiment, we identified the civil defense clothing design preferred by users and explored the aesthetic experience that influenced user preference. We used the neuroscientific method of event-related potentials to further explore the neural mechanisms of users’ preferred civil defense clothing designs. In the EEG experiment, the preferred civil defense clothing contains frontal late positive potential (LPP) components involved in aesthetic experience. These results indicate that the improved civil defense clothing design evoked aesthetic experiences from users. We expect that using advanced materials and design improves the user’s aesthetic experience and preferences. This research contributes to the development of civil defense clothing that not only enhance functionality but also improve user experience and work performance.

Crimes against Palestinian Civilians Under Zionist Occupation

Throughout its long history, humanity has coexisted with conflicts, power, influence, policies of violence and distress, bloodbaths, massacres, racial calamities and famines. Its present and future visions are still subject to horrors, hardships and tragedies. International humanitarian law has come to express these values in legal language that imposes the obligation on the States parties that make up these agreements. The basic rules and principles of this law have become a set of values accepted by the entire international community and to know that the civilian population is the first to be exposed in most cases to acts of aggression and violence. In different parts of the world, we are witnessing the process of ethnic cleansing, mass killings and atrocities committed against civilians and destroying their homes and property. This is what prompted the researcher to choose his research ( crimes committed against Palestinian civilians under the Zionist occupation) to answer many questions, including knowing who are civilians through the concept of crimes against civilians. The international trend of retaliation against civilians was rejected during the military operations. In the UN General Assembly resolution adopted in 1970, it is not permissible to retaliate against the civilian population, whether they are a group or individuals in armed conflicts. Civilians, in particular, within the framework of international humanitarian law, which is a newly established law that includes a set of international legal rules targeting situations of armed conflict and the protection of civilians suffering from the scourge of this conflict , and the subsequent military occupation. The rules of international humanitarian law are characterized by moral highness, as they codify the rules of morality that must prevail during armed conflict and military occupation

‘Give us the numbers!’: sovereign capture and the undermining of shared situational awareness in the UK’s COVID-19 response

ABSTRACT Shared situational awareness is advanced as a solution to the problem of collaborative decision-making in multi-agency emergency responses. By harnessing information and communication technologies to construct and distribute a common understanding of the event, shared situational awareness promises to optimise, distribute and devolve decision-making, thus improving the overall speed and efficiency of emergency responses. However, in the context of actual emergencies shared situational awareness is found to routinely breakdown. This paper draws upon 41 interviews conducted with emergency responders on their experience of using ResilienceDirect to manage shared situational awareness in the UK COVID-19 response. We argue that while shared situational awareness attempts to technologise the problem of sovereign decision-making in emergencies, UK emergency response frameworks contain a latent potential for sovereign capture. As the COVID-19 response demonstrates, an atmosphere of distrust; desire for secrecy and control; and the ubiquity of hierarchies throughout UK Civil Contingencies permitted the reactualisation of sovereign modes of control to frustrate and displace bottom-up modes of emergency organisation meant to guide UK emergency responses. Elucidating the impediments to achieving shared situational awareness within actual response raises urgent questions regarding the robustness of shared situational awareness to political interference within major emergency events.

URBAN PLANNING AND VULNERABILITY IN SÃO FÉLIX DO XINGU

This paper investigates the topic “Urban Planning and Vulnerability in São Félix do Xingu: The Role of Civil Defense in Responding to Floods and Flash Floods.” The main objective is to identify the key urban planning practices discussed in the literature that can be applied to mitigate the impacts of hydrological disasters in São Félix do Xingu, in the Amazon region. A qualitative approach was used, focusing on a literature review, analyzing the interaction between urban planning policies and Civil Defense actions. The research considers studies published in the last ten years, focusing on tropical regions similar to the Amazon, and categorizes urban planning practices by geographic regions and their integration with Civil Defense. The main results highlight the need to strengthen coordination between Civil Defense and urban planning, as well as the importance of early warning systems and relocation strategies to reduce vulnerability. The comparative analysis revealed gaps in public policies and the need to adapt best practices to the local context. The study concludes that reducing the vulnerability of São Félix do Xingu requires an integrated approach between different sectors, strengthening urban infrastructure, and involving local communities. For future studies, it is suggested to conduct field research and develop local vulnerability and resilience indicators to support the formulation of more effective and contextualized public policies for the Amazon region.

Protection of Civilians in War: The Role of International Humanitarian Law

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is a compilation of laws aimed at limiting the consequences of armed conflict for humanitarian purposes. It safeguards those that are not or are no longer involved in fighting and limits the arms and tactics of warfare. It also protects people’s lives, welfare, and dignity, prohibits torture and inhuman treatment, prescribes fundamental protections for those facing criminal charges, prohibits prejudices, establishes guidelines for women's and children's safety, and regulates facets of the right to food and health. This study, essentially, theoretical and academic, would focus onto bring about the role and importance of International Humanitarian Law in protection and establishing the rights of civilians during the strife and hostilities.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FOREST FIRE PREVENTION ACTIVITIES

This study addresses the importance of forest fire prevention and combat activities, emphasizing environmental education as a tool for preventing forest fires in Canaã dos Carajás. The social relevance of the topic is highlighted by the significant impact of forest fires on the environment, economy, and public health, especially in the context of the Amazon Rainforest, which is essential for global climate regulation. The research is descriptive and combines data collection methods, including document analysis and semi-structured interviews. The document analysis involves reviewing reports, public policies, scientific articles, and educational materials, while the interviews are conducted with a representative sample of residents, educators, local authorities, and civil defense professionals. The general objective of the study is to analyze the effectiveness of environmental education activities in preventing forest fires. The specific objectives include analyzing residents’ perceptions of the importance of prevention, the influence of public policies, and proposing improvements in environmental education strategies. The research identified the urgent need for effective conservation policies, given the importance of the Amazon Rainforest in climate regulation. In Canaã dos Carajás, rapid urbanization driven by mining and a lack of resources and infrastructure are critical challenges for forest fire prevention. The interdisciplinary approach, using qualitative and quantitative techniques, allowed for a detailed analysis of the challenges faced and best practices. Location maps and satellite images were used to analyze the distribution of fire outbreaks. The results underline the importance of an integrated approach to fire prevention, highlighting the effectiveness of public policies and the need for ongoing training. This study provides valuable contributions to the formulation of public policies and educational strategies, promoting environmental education and active community involvement as key elements for effective forest fire prevention.

Strategies to enhance civic awareness for state defence in Indonesia: Measurement and benchmarking of the State Defence Index (SDI)

Countries employ various strategies to strengthen their soft power through education, public campaigns, mandatory service, and community involvement, essential for building a well-informed, prepared, and resilient citizenry. In Indonesia, the Civic Awareness for State Defence (CASD) program is designed to instil state defence awareness among citizens. This study introduces the Indonesia State Defence Index (SDI), a novel metric grounded in theoretical constructs such as national identity, nationalism, patriotism, and national pride. Differentiating from previous indices, our SDI employs advanced methodologies including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to enhance measurement accuracy. Unlike earlier approaches that used traditional aggregation methods, our use of PCA ensures the reduction of dimensions for each state defence indicator, thereby guaranteeing that only the intended dimensions are measured. Utilising data from the State Defence Survey conducted by the Indonesian Ministry of Defence from 1 March to 26 June 2024, we aim to measure and benchmark SDI values across Indonesian regions, thereby elucidating the civic awareness profile in the context of state defence. The refined SDI provides critical insights for policymakers, highlighting regions that require focused interventions to bolster state defence preparedness.