NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR OPERATIONS

AN INTRODUCTIONA PowerPoint Presentation

“PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS THAT PURSUE ACTIVITIES TO RELIEVE SUFFERING,

PROMOTE THE INTERESTS OF THE POOR, PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT, PROVIDE

BASIC SOCIAL SERVICES, OR UNDERTAKE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.”

WORLD BANK NGO DEFINITION

Dramatic Growth beginning in 2d half of 20th Century

Over the past several decades, NGOs have become major players in all

international relief efforts, development, cause advocacy, and in

advancing the concept of a “global civil society”

Billions of dollars spent annually on relief and sustainable development

programs

2005 earthquake in Pakistan

NGOs

WHY THE DRAMATIC GROWTH IN NGOs

• Negative Perception of the Welfare

State

• Development Crisis

• Perceived Global Environmental Crisis

• Discrediting of Socialism

• Communications Revolution

• Global Economic Growth

• NGOs Play a Key Role in Humanitarian Assistance and Development

• NGOs are the Rapid Response element for humanitarian disasters all over the world

• “Foot Soldiers” for International relief efforts

• Military in Peace Support Operations will have to work with NGOs

NGOs - Overview

Not Governments…

Not Businesses...

NGOs—WHAT THEY ARE NOT

ANOTHER DEFINITION OF AN NGO

“A Self-Governing Private, Not For Profit Organization That Is Geared Toward Improving The Quality Of Life Of Disadvantaged People”

2010 Pakistan flooding

The term NGO is very broad and encompasses many different types of organizations

• Advocacy NGOs• Operational NGOs

- Relief- Development

NGO TYPES

Relief work Philippines

• Their primary purpose is to defend or promote a specific cause and to

influence policies and practices• Examples: Amnesty International and the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)

ADVOCACY NGOs

• Their primary purpose is field work in humanitarian relief and design, development and implementation of development related projects.

• Operational NGOs are the one’s the military must work with in a cooperative relationship in a PSO

OPERATIONAL NGOs

• Provide Life Saving Interventions• Food Distribution• Shelter• Water• Sanitation• Medical Care

NGOs IN HUMANITARIAN CRISES

• Headquarters in one Country (ICRC)

• Many Autonomous National Chapters (Save the

Children)

• Many National Fund Raising Offices, Pooled Funds,

With A Single World-Wide Field Organization

(World Vision)

OPERATIONAL NGOs ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORKS

• Autonomous National Headquarters with Field

Organization. Work Assigned by Central

International Organization (CARE)

• Field Work Done Only Through Indigenous Local

NGOs (Oxfam America)

OPERATIONAL NGOs ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORKS (Cont.)

SURVEY QUESTION:• Why Work In Relief/Development?

- Altruistic—Concern for Others

- Financial ---Make Money

NGO “CULTURE”

• Help The Disadvantaged• Non-Hierarchical• Generally Liberal• Intangible Missions• Not Comfortable With the Autocratic Structures

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE – NGOs

Typical Western NGO:• Young & Idealistic• Liberal Arts Degree• Believes in Sustainable Development• Little Formal Operational Doctrine• Few Formal Training Courses• Significant Organizational Competition• Increasing Security Concerns

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE – NGOs

• Humanitarian Imperative Comes First• Aid Is Given Regardless of Race, Creed or

Nationality on the Basis of Need Alone• Aid Will Not Be Used To Further a Particular Political

or Religious Standpoint• We Shall Endeavor Not To Act As Instruments of

Government Foreign Policy• We Shall Respect Culture & Custom

VOLUNTARY CODE OF CONDUCT FOR RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS/NGOs

• Build Disaster Response On Local Capacities• Involve Program Beneficiaries In The

Management of Relief Aid• Reduce Future Vulnerabilities As Well As Meet

Basic Needs• NGOs Accountable Both To Beneficiaries &

Contributors• Disaster Victims Are Dignified Humans, Not

Hopeless Objects

VOLUNTARY CODE OF CONDUCT (Cont.)

GOVERNING PRINCIPLES

. HumanityImpartialityNeutrality

• UN CharterArticles 63 and 64

Article 71

• UN General Assembly

Resolution 43/131- Importance of NGOs- States to Facilitate Work of

NGOs- States to Support to NGOs- Cooperation With

Humanitarian Assistance

Organizations Set Up by UN

• Security Council Chapter 7

Authority to Authorize NGO

Humanitarian Relief

UNITED NATIONS AND NGOs

• Dangerous Environment• 1994 Safety Convention – Not Solution• Safety Needs – Acceptance, Protection & Deterrence• Safety Aids – Information, Planning, Training, Coordination, Psychological Assistance• Security Council Responsibilities• When to Go / When to Stay

RISKS TO NGOs & HUMANITARIAN AID WORKERS

• Strong grassroots links• Field based development expertise• Ability to innovate and adapt• Process oriented approach to development• Participatory methodologies and tools• Long-term commitment and emphasis on

sustainability• Cost effectiveness

NGOs STRENGTHS (WORLD BANK

STUDY)

• Have Lost Their Independence--Just Another Arm Of Governments• Too Close To The Corporate World• Fund Raising Is Their Primary Concern• Excessive Living Standards In The Midst Of Poverty

CRITICISM OF NGOs

• Many Participants in Peace Operation• NGOs Play A Key Role In Humanitarian Assistance• Absolutely Necessary To:

- UNDERSTAND THE “PLAYERS” - COORDINATION MECHANISMS- PURSUE UNITY OF EFFORT BY EMPHASIZING:

COOPERATION-COORDINATION-CONSENSUS

SUMMARY