March

BRCS INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY BULLETIN

Bulletin on International Humanitarian News, Events and Publications

(2007:3, March)

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BRCS International Monthly Seminar Programme
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March 29th 2007, 1-2pm Lecture Theatre

The Politicisation of Humanitarian Action
Vickie Hawkins and Eric Stobbaerts - Medecins Sans Frontieres

With a network of sections in 19 countries and medical humanitarian programmes in more than 70 countries, MSF is a key humanitarian player. Besides its humanitarian programmes, MSF has also launched a successful campaign for access to essential medicines.

Some of the challenges they face - which certainly resonate with our own experiences - relate to the core humanitarian principles of impartiality, independence and neutrality. How does MSF see its role in an increasingly politicised humanitarian environment? How does it ensure its independence? And - perhaps a more contentious question when comparing MSF with the Red Cross - how does MSF reconcile its principle of "observing neutrality" when it comes to "speaking out", for instance in the face of violations of International Humanitarian Law?

Please join us next Thursday 29th March for a presentation and question-and-answer session.

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Forthcoming seminars:

17th May 2007, 1-2pm Lecture Theatre
The Humanitarian Impact of Climate Change - Andrew Simms, New Economics Foundation

31st May 2007, 1-2pm Lecture Theatre
Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment - a tool for the RC - Terry Cannon, University of Greenwich

Suggestions for topics and speakers for future seminars are very welcome - please contact Laura Walker, HPP Team Coordinator (x7533).

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NEWS
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Stage 1 of Climate Change Scoping Study now complete

Lewis Sida has completed the report on stage one of the BRCS climate change scoping study. The report notes the likely implications of climate change for our work; it goes on to posit some likely outcomes and possible responses for BRCS. The advisory group - which comprises people from International, UK and Strategy and Communications - is considering next steps, including a potential environmental audit, a study of climate change across existing international programmes, and case studies to better describe/market existing work on climate change, DP and DRR.

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HPG Resource Guide: Cash and vouchers in emergencies

There is now a growing body of experience as well as interest in cash and voucher based responses to emergencies. This web page provides links to papers and other resources generated as part of a three year Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG) project looking at the use of cash-based responses in emergencies.
http://www.odi.org.uk/hpg/cashresources.html

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Account of recent launch of the HPN Network Paper "Concerning accountability in humanitarian action" on 19.03.07.
Speaker: Austen Davis (ex-Director of MSF Holland); Discussants: John Mitchell and Nick Stockton.

Austen argued that, while some of the broad criticisms of humanitarian action are justified, some may be ill-founded or harsher than necessary - partly due to a sectoral tendency to take responsibility for failures which are not, or shouldn't be our responsibility. Furthermore, proposed remedies may not be appropriate. He posited a return to an authentic humanitarian endeavour carried out by NGOs with clear mandates and missions and the means to meet their responsibilities. He underlined the need to distinguish different aspects of accountability (such as quality assurance, and accountability to beneficiaries) which often lead to competitive agendas, and called for critical reflection on the utility of accountability. The respondents, however, stressed the usefulness of evaluations in developing good practice, etc (John Mitchell) and in redressing the imbalance of power between "victims" and agencies. (Nick Stockton) These differing perspectives may stem from a focus on individual (or agency) responsibility versus collective responsibility through system-wide reforms/processes - ultimately, both may be necessary. (CAH)

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NEW ODI webpage - Sanitation and hygiene

Sanitation and hygiene has risen up the international policy agenda in recent years. It has been included under the Millennium Development Goals within Target 10, which sets an aim to: 'Halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation'. A new web page has been launched to collate ODI's work in this area. http://www.odi.org.uk/rpgg/areas/sanitation.html

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Forced Migration Online - New multimedia website from Forced Migration Review

Includes an Image Database, videos and audio podcasts, launching with a video about displacement and reconstruction in Mitrovica, Kosovo. Other documentaries will be added in the coming months. Audio podcasts will include a series of interviews with academics from the global North and South in which the evolution of study of forced migration and prospects for the future will be discussed.
http://www.forcedmigration.org

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IASC issues Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings

The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) issues these Guidelines to enable humanitarian actors to plan, establish and coordinate a set of minimum multi-sectoral responses to protect and improve people's mental health and psychosocial well-being in the midst of an emergency. The Guidelines offer essential advice on how to facilitate an integrated approach to address the most urgent mental health and psychosocial issues in emergency situations.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/lib.nsf/db900SID/YAOI-6Z3A2K?OpenDocument

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New Federation 'Monitoring and Evaluation in a Nutshell' Guidelines published

A pdf copy is available on the S Drive at S:\International\Monitoring and evaluation\Feds\M and E nutshell guide final.pdf

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FORTHCOMING EVENTS
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World TB Day, 24th March 2007

Focussing the world's attention on a disease which remains a global emergency despite being both preventable and curable. Chronic lack of investment in TB programmes and research into new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent TB have left us extremely vulnerable to the new, emerging threats to TB control, particularly with the discovery of a strain of TB that is resistant to almost all drugs (extensively drug resistant TB - XDR TB) and the deadly synergy between HIV and TB. http://www.unaids.org/en/MediaCentre/PressMaterials/FeatureStory/20070320_TB_Anywhere_WTBDay.asp

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The limits of humanitarianism, 27th March 2007, 5.30-7pm, ALNAP

A joint ODI/ALNAP event to present and discuss this year's ALNAP Review of Humanitarian Action. Speakers: Hugo Slim, Chief Scholar, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue and Tony Vaux, Independent Consultant. Chair: Randolph Kent, Director, Humanitarian Futures Programme.
http://www.odi.org.uk/speeches/alnapRHA_mar07/index.html

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Complaint & Response Mechanisms Course, Facilitator: Monica Blagescu (Accountability Programme Manager, One World Trust)
27.03.07 9.30-5.30, NCVO, London N1

Providing channels for beneficiaries to raise concerns on how NGOs' services and activities affect them is generally regarded as good practice. Most NGOs working overseas are receiving complaints and provide feedback almost daily, through their interaction with local communities. Yet a formalised complaint and response mechanism (CRM) is a relatively new concept. Many organisations and their staff still attach a negative connotation to such a system. This course will try to dispel this myth. To this end, it will consider some of the opportunities and positive aspects of establishing a CRM but also present some of the challenges that need to be considered when setting it up.
To book a place please speak to Andriana Anastasiou (DM PA, x7538) in the first instance.

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Unheard Voices: Muslim Women on the Challenges of Extremism
Baroness Pola Uddin and Minority Rights Group International
Tuesday 27 March 2007, 5.30-7.30 pm - House of Lords, Room G

In all of the debates on TV, radio and in the press, in all of the government reactions to the Muslim communities in the UK, Muslim women's voices are rarely heard. The only discussions to feature Muslim women have been about how Muslim women dress, not about what opinions they hold on the UK government's policies towards Muslims and about issues within their communities. MRG is holding this debate to feature Muslim women speaking in personal and professional capacities about what they feel about extremism in their communities, and how Muslim women are confronting the current situation.
Speakers include Baroness Pola Uddin - House of Lords; Humera Khan - activist and founder of An-Nisa Women's Society; and Mehr Khan Williams - Former UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights. Chaired by Samia Khan - Head of Programmes, MRG. If you would like to attend this event please see Laura Walker, HPP PA (x 7533) in the first instance.

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Launch of "The aid chain: coercion and commitment in development NGOs", Wallace, Bornstein & Chapman (Practical Action, 2006)

30th March 2007, 4pm onwards, Nuffield Foundation, 28 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3EG
Nuffield Foundation, Practical Action Publishing, BOND
Debate on the issues of power and partnership involved in the disbursement of development aid.
Tina Wallace will introduce the book and the research on which it was based undertaken in UK, Uganda and South Africa. Speakers include: Robert Chambers, IDS; Amanda Mukwashi, Skillshare; John de Coninck, Cross Cultural Foundation, Uganda;
Penny Lawrence, Oxfam and BOND; David Lewis, LSE
RSVP: jonihillman@bond.org.uk

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Increasing Accountability and Impact Measurement to Beneficiaries in Emergencies
Hosted by CARE, Oxfam and World Vision International 3rd April 2007

Given increasing pressure on NGOs to be more accountable and to be able to show the impact of their activities, and the growing understanding that greater involvement of beneficiaries in each stage of the project cycle improves programming, agencies have much to learn from one another. This event for UK-based practitioners supporting implementation in the field will provide an opportunity to learn about the Emergency Capacity Building Project's approach to accountability and impact measurement and then to discuss issues all agencies face when seeking to improve practice at field level.
To attend please contact Jude Mills (jmills@oxfam.org.uk).

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MSF DISCUSSION EVENINGS 2007
ARE ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE A HUMANITARIAN CONCERN?
The Castle Pub at Farringdon, London, Tuesday 17 April, 6:30 to 8:30pm

By focusing on emergency care we often work in conflict zones and assume a duty of care to people affected by the violence in these conflicts. However, our work can overlook those who are victims of other kinds of violence, such as those who suffer from domestic abuse or urban violence. Tonight's discussion will look at the effects of these less obvious forms of violence on populations and analyse whether it is the role and responsibility of humanitarian organisations to address them.
Facilitator: Martyn Broughton, Reuters Alertnet.
Speakers: Marc Dubois, Head of Humanitarian Affairs Department, MSF Holland; Chris Cramer, Professor in Development Studies and Programme Covenor for the MSc Violence, Conflict and Development, School of Oriental and African Studies. (SOAS)

Please note that numbers are limited. It is recommended that you register
your attendance at any of these events through the following link:
http://www.uk2.msf.org/discussionevenings2007

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PUBLICATIONS
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Humanitarian programmes and HIV and AIDS - A practical approach to mainstreaming (Walden et al 2007) Oxfam GB

A manual for field staff to help in mainstreaming HIV/AIDS in humanitarian emergencies. The book aims to build staff skills in addressing the underlying causes of vulnerability to HIV infection and the consequences of HIV and AIDS, particularly in rapid-onset emergencies. It includes checklists and planning tools, with examples of inductions, training and awareness-raising sessions both for staff and for community members.
Pdf copy and downloadable CDROM now available online at www.oxfamGB/publications - also available at UK.O library, Shelfmark: 4.11 WAL. Second copy held by HIV/AIDS adviser..

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Should we forget about targeting? - Wahenga Comment

Targeting is said to improve efficiency and effectiveness of social transfers, and many would argue that, without targeting, the cost of a comprehensive social transfer programme would be prohibitive - yet there is ample evidence to suggest that targeting simply does not work in an African context, and that where it is applied or imposed it is simply circumvented.
http://www.wahenga.net/issues/index.php?section=comments&ID=133

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Forced Migration Review - 'Putting IDPs on the map: achievements and challenges'

Exploring issues and challenges for the protection of IDPs.
www.fmreview.org/FMRpdfs/BrookingsSpecial/full.pdf.

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Show me the money - when is cash more appropriate than food aid? ODI BLog - Posted 19 February by Paul Harvey.

'Whenever in-kind assistance is provided, the alternative, of providing funds to enable people to decide for themselves what they most need and buy it in local markets, should be considered.'
http://blogs.odi.org.uk/blogs/main/archive/2007/02/19/1698.aspx

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NEW PUBLICATIONS in the BRCS LIBRARY

Pick these up at the library (6th floor) or by contacting Bridget Andrews, Librarian (x7056)
All suggestions or requests for new acquisitions are welcome, either for the library or for departmental use.
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Design like you give a damn : architectural response to humanitarian crises / edited by Architecture for Humanity (Thames & Hudson, 2006)

Images and descriptions of over 80 innovative design projects from around the world aiming to provide housing (emergency, transitional and permanent), community buildings, buildings for healthcare and education, and water, energy and sanitation solutions.
Shelfmark: 6.55 ARC

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Rights, resources and the politics of accountability / edited by Peter Newell and Joanna Wheeler (Zed Books, 2006)

This book argues that accountability cannot be separated from issues of the realisation of rights and the distribution of resources. Case studies of grassroots struggles to claim rights - water, housing, a safe environment, health or a 'living wage' - in different communities illustrate not only the gap that can exist between international rights discourses and local circumstances, but also the ways in which poorer communities act to claim their rights and construct mechanisms for accountability within the state, the private sector and international institutions.
Shelfmark: 11.1 RIG

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NGO accountability : politics, principles and innovations / edited by Lisa Jordan and Peter van Tuijl (Earthscan, 2006)

An examination of the issues and politics of NGO accountability, internationally and across all sectors. The book offers an assessment of the technical tools available, including legal accountability, certification and donor-based accountability regimes, asking whether these are appropriate and viable options, and also looks at new approaches and innovations that have developed from within NGOs, using case studies.
Shelfmark: 8.2 NGO

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Guidelines for gender-based interventions in humanitarian settings : focusing on prevention of and response to sexual violence in emergencies (IASC, 2005)

Guidelines designed to enable humanitarian organisations to plan, establish and coordinate a set of minimum multisectoral interventions to prevent and respond to sexual violence during the early phase of an emergency.
Shelfmark: 5.3 INT. Second copy held by Disaster Management. Also available from http://www.humanitarianinfo.org/iasc/content/products/default.asp.

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Traditions of war : occupation, resistance and the law / Karma Nabulsi (OUP, 2005)

This book considers different ideological traditions of warfare and military occupation, focusing on the idea of the distinction between combatant and non-combatant. The author argues that this question remains essentially unresolved, and that this is because of the failure to reconcile three fundamentally divergent philosophies of war and their different concepts of lawful belligerency.
Shelfmark: 3.2 NAB

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Contribute to this bulletin by e-mailing submissions and feedback to Laura Walker, HPP PA (x7533).