May

BRCS INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY BULLETIN

Bulletin on International Humanitarian News, Events and Publications

(2007:5, May)

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BRCS International Monthly Seminar Programme
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15th May 2007, 2-5pm, Lecture Theatre
Monitoring & Evaluation Workshop

This informal workshop will be based in part on INTRAC's Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation course and so will include a review of the fundamentals of monitoring and evaluation. It is also an opportunity to share our own monitoring and evaluation knowledge and experience and to discuss the resources we have and tools we use.

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Forthcoming seminars and workshops:

17th May 2007, 1-2pm Lecture Theatre
**Andrew Simms Lecture postponed** - watch this space for alternative event!

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

June/July 2007 (date and time tbc)
The Humanitarian Impact of Climate Change - Andrew Simms, New Economics Foundation

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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2006 DISASTER FIGURES RELEASED

CRED, The Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, has just released its figures for 2006. As the most reliable source of disaster data worldwide, it presents 2006 as the return of a kind of "normality" after recent years of catastrophic events. Normal or not, more than 23 000 people were killed, 143 million estimated to be affected and 34.6 billion US dollars the economic loss. Floods and windstorms continue to be the most economically costly disasters, and floods are on continuous rise during the last fifty years. Surprisingly, four European countries are found on the global top-ten list of deaths, namely Belgium, France and Netherlands (heatwave) and Ukraine (coldwave), probably in the first three cases because of good reporting on excessive deaths in extreme weather situations, based on learning from the 2003 heatwave.
http://www.cred.be

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UN OCHA launches appeal to strengthen humanitarian response capacity

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is today launching a $62.5 million inter-agency Appeal for Building Global Humanitarian Response Capacity in eleven sectors: agriculture, camp coordination and camp management, early recovery, education, emergency shelter, emergency telecommunications, health, logistics, nutrition, protection, and water, sanitation and hygiene. The appeal follows a comprehensive analysis of the international response to emergencies. It is part of an ambitious humanitarian reform agenda agreed in 2005. Partners in the global capacity-building exercise include United Nations (UN) agencies, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Activities included in the appeal cover global-level capacity-building in three main areas: building rosters of expert staff for rapid deployment; ensuring adequate commonly-accessible stockpiles at the global level; and developing common standards, systems, and tools for international emergency response.

Full press release available online at http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/EGUA-72LM6Q?OpenDocument

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Audio recording and speaking notes from recent ODI event 'The Limits of Humanitarianism' now available online

At this ALNAP and ODI event (27.03.07), Hugo Slim and Tony Vaux presented and discussed the chapters they wrote for this year's ALNAP Review of Humanitarian Action. As Randolph Kent, the Director of the Humanitarian Futures Programme, wrote in his endorsement of the Review, 'the contributors to this year's edition proffer perspectives and recommendations that humanitarian organisations ignore at their peril.'
http://www.odi.org.uk/speeches/alnapRHA_mar07/

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Audio and note from the launch of Austen Davis' 'Concerning accountability in Humanitarian Action' (HPG Network Paper 58) now available online

One of the most frequently heard criticisms of humanitarian action is that it is unaccountable and unregulated. At this event, which we reported on in an earlier Bulletin (2007:3), Austen Davis asks whether schemes designed to improve accountability really are the solution to the problems humanitarianism faces today and proposes a more productive route for reform.
http://www.odihpn.org/documents/NP58launchreport.pdf

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DFID and FCO should merge? Audio and documents from 'Does foreign aid really work' event now available online

At this recent ODI/OUP event Sir Mike Aaronson, former director of the Save the Children Fund, controversially suggested that DFID should be merged back into the FCO. Listen to full audio and read related documents online at the ODI site.
http://www.odi.org.uk/events/foreignaid_april07/

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TEC Synthesis Report Expanded Summary now available

As with the full Synthesis Report, this summary clearly describes the tsunami context and the disaster response. Its main focus, however, is on the four key recommendations of the Synthesis Report and some of the practical implications of taking these forward. In comparison with the full 175-page Synthesis, the language and contents of this report have been simplified, and the figures and photographs increase its accessibility as well as create a useful reference guide.
If you would like copies of this report let Laura Walker know (x7533) and I will order some from ODI. Otherwise available online at http://www.tsunami-evaluation.org/NR/rdonlyres/32424F75-2C95-41BB-8D22-FA6867C67A96/0/Syn_Report_Sum.pdf

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THE 12TH GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE
4th TO 16th JUNE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON UNION IN MALLET STREET, WC1. (repeated in November)

Over the last 4 years over 200 people have taken part in this short, very intensive and effective introduction to the issues that confront the Third World. The course consists of a total of 12 session of 2 hours each, concentrating in turn on finance, health, education, international aid and the UN system, trade, migration and refugees, and so on.

Personnel from all the major development agencies, including OXFAM, ActionAid, Save the Children Fund, CAFOD, Christian Aid, WaterAid, the House of Commons, and many others have attended over the years. It has also been attended by people contemplating a higher degree in one of the relevant fields of work and from teachers of geography and economics. The speakers are all highly qualified with current fieldwork experience.
http://www.ethical-events.org/gdc

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On the ODI blogs this week: Is Sir Mike Aaronson right to call for DFID to be merged back into the FCO?

Simon Maxwell, ODI director, notes that participants at the launch of Roger Riddell's new book, 'Does Foreign Aid Really Work?' at ODI last week were surprised to hear Sir Mike Aaronson, former director of the Save the Children Fund, suggest that DFID should be merged back into the FCO.
http://blogs.odi.org.uk/blogs/main/archive/2007/05/03/2531.aspx

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ahe Limits of Humanitaria
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
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Civilian protection and humanitarian advocacy: Strategies and dilemmas
Wednesday 23 May, 1.00-2.30PM
ODI, 111 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7JD

Humanitarian actors increasingly construe their role not just as relief providers, but as advocates for the victims of crises. Reflecting in part a greater integration between political and humanitarian agendas, this development exposes divergent views of humanitarianism and involves complex choices for operational humanitarian actors. The work of humanitarian actors in protection is frequently contingent on their ability to influence military and political actors, both local and international. However, advocacy - at least in its more public and denunciatory forms - has potentially serious negative implications for operational aid organisations, most notably in relation to access and staff security. Drawing on examples from field settings, this meeting will examine advocacy undertaken by humanitarian organisations to promote civilian welfare and security and its implication for other programming.
Chair: Sorcha O'Callaghan, Research Officer, Humanitarian Policy Group, ODI
Speakers: Marc DuBois, Head of Humanitarian Affairs, MSF-Holland; Edmund Cairns, Senior Policy Adviser (Research), Oxfam GB; and Prof Hazel Smith, Department of International Relations, University of Warwick

To attend contact meetings@odi.org.uk

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Workshop: The Link between HIV and AIDS and Food Insecurity: Exploring the Evidence
run by CARE International, ODI and Concern Worldwide UK
ODI, 25th May 2007

We have organised this workshop to provide an opportunity for NGO practitioners, research institutions, advocates and policy makers to explore the links between HIV and AIDS and Food Security. The objectives of the meeting include the following:
-To share knowledge, ideas and experiences on practical implementation of interventions tackling Food Security and HIV and AIDS as interrelated issues.
- To explore potential research questions and possible research methodologies
- To discuss ways of strengthening the debate and action on food security and HIV and AIDS

To confirm your participation, please contact s.wooldridge@odi.org.uk. Please bear in mind that seats are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

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MSF DISCUSSION EVENINGS 2007
The Castle Pub at Farringdon, London

THE INTEGRATION AGENDA: COHERENCE OR CO-OPTION?
Tuesday 29 May, 6:30 to 8:30pm

The logic of coherence is driving the agenda of the UN and of main donors and members of the Security Council. By coordinating efforts of political, military and humanitarian agencies they expect to improve the effectiveness of the aid provided. Tonight's discussion will analyse this new agenda and measure its importance in international politics today. We will look at the potential advantages and disadvantages of such an approach, particularly for the humanitarian world.
Facilitator: Paul Harvey, Research Fellow, Humanitarian Policy Group, Overseas Development Institute.
Speakers: Fabrice Weissman, Researcher, MSF France; Jamie McGoldrick, OCHA (to be confirmed); Katy Attfield, Senior Civil Military Advisor, Department for International Development (DFID).

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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Book Launch: A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
Ishmael Beah, author and Sorious Samura, journalist & film-maker
Wednesday May 30th, 6.30pmm Brunei Suite, SOAS, Russell Square, WC1H

'A Long Way Gone is one of the most important war stories of our generation. We ignore its message at our peril' Sebastian Junger.

Ishmael Beah, now 25 years old, was 12 and in his homeland of Sierra Leone when he fled attacking rebels and wandered a land rendered unrecognizable by violence. By thirteen, he'd been picked up by the government army and had become one of the estimated 300,000 child soldiers in the 50 current conflicts worldwide. Ishmael Beah came to the United States when he was seventeen and graduated from Oberlin College in 2004. He is a member of the Human Rights Watch Children's Rights Division Advisory Committee and has spoken before the United Nations on several occasions. He lives in New York City. Followed by a reception.
RSVP to ras_resesarch@soas.ac.uk

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IRC-UK 2007 ANNUAL LECTURE - THE POLITICS OF HUMANITARIANISM AFTER IRAQ
SIR MARK MALLOCH BROWN KCMG - Former Deputy Secretary General, United Nations
Monday 25 June, 2007 at 7.00pm at The Royal Geographical Society

All proceeds will go towards IRC-UK's work worldwide with those affected or displaced by conflict and violence.
For information or to book tickets please call IRC-UK on 020 7692 2737, or email events@ircuk.org ,

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PUBLICATIONS
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NB If you would like hard copies of any of the larger downloadable publications featured here, please request them from Laura Walker, who will arrange for a library copy to be printed and dispatched to you.
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Joint Theme Issue of Development Policy Review and Disasters: Cash Transfers

In a unique initiative Development Policy Review and Disasters have published simultaneous theme issues on cash transfers. The issues consider the political, financial and operational challenges associated with increased use of cash for governments, donors and NGOs. Development Policy Review, guest edited by John Farrington and Rachel Slater, considers growing experience with cash transfers in development in Africa and Asia and draws on lessons learned from the implementation of cash transfer schemes in Latin America. The Disasters part-theme issue, edited by Paul Harvey, explores recent experience with cash transfers in emergencies, including the Asian tsunami and post-conflict scenarios, and shows that cash transfers can be implemented rapidly and at scale.
Free articles and contents details available online at http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=0361-3666%20
Both journals available from the BRC Library (contact Bridget Andrews for more information).

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IASC Interim Self-Assessment of Implementation of the Cluster Approach in the Field

During the IASC Working Group in July 2006, OCHA was requested "to lead a process to evaluate the cluster approach in the pilot countries."Given that field implementation had been delayed for a number of reasons, including lack of guidance and funding, it was felt that an interim self-assessment, rather than an evaluation (internal or external) would be more appropriate at this point in time.

The Interim Self-Assessment is a progress report and is not intended to be a comprehensive evaluation of the cluster approach. Such an evaluation is expected to take place in late 2007. The Self-Assessment is intended to highlight main trends, themes and lessons from field experience, in order to inform IASC Working Group and Principals'discussions about the implementation of the cluster approach in the coming year.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/lib.nsf/db900SID/JBRN-72ZKTQ/$FILE/IASC_humanitarianreform_nov06.pdf

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Journal of Humanitarian Assistance Redesigned, Relaunched

JHA offers the humanitarian assistance community the opportunity to receive and provide rapid public feedback on cutting-edge ideas. This community includes humanitarian field workers and agency officials, scholars and researchers, government officials and residents of countries affected by crises and disasters, and donor agency officials. Though papers are not peer-reviewed before publication, the site allows and indeed encourages readers to comment immediately and publicly on each piece.

Since the relaunch, four new papers have been published:
* "Political Complexities of Humanitarian Intervention in the Pakistan Earthquake" - Bamforth & Qureshi
* "International Organisations in Mindanao: To Protect or Not?" - Chaulia
* "Social-networking web systems: Opportunities for humanitarian information management" - Ziesche
* "UNHCR Policy and Practice: Confronting Calls for Change" - Cochrane

All available online at http://www.jha.ac.

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Changing aid delivery and the environment by Neil Bird and Lidia Cabral, ODI Briefing Paper, March 2007.

Aid delivery has been transformed in recent years, with a progressive shift from project support to more upstream mechanisms - the so-called 'programmatic' approaches. At the same time there has been a relative decline in donor spending on the environment, and a reduction in the use of environmental advisers in country. This Paper examines how environmental objectives are pursued by donors in a context where aid delivery mechanisms are changing. http://www.odi.org.uk/publications/redirect/2.html

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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.
Do you know that you can access journal articles from your desk? For a quick induction explaining the resources held by the library and how to use them, please contact Bridget Andrews.

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Cash-transfer programming in emergencies / edited by Pantaleo Creti and Susanne Jaspars (Oxfam GB, 2006)
Draws on the practical experience of Oxfam and other agencies to present the rationale behind cash-transfer programmes, explain how to assess whether cash is the most appropriate response to a given emergency, and compare different types of cash intervention.
Shelfmark: 5.3 CAS

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Transitional settlement : displaced populations / executive editors and lead authors Tom Corsellis and Antonella Vitale (Oxfam GB, 2005)
Guidelines offering planning tools for developing and implementing settlement and shelter strategies for people affected by conflict or natural disaster. Part a gives a broad overview of the issues relating to transitional settlement and the six settlement options open to displaced populations. Part b offers technical information as a reference for the implementation of transitional settlement options.
Shelfmark: 6.55 COR

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Disability, equality and human rights : a training manual for development and humanitarian organisations / Alison Harris with Sue Enfield (Oxfam GB, 2003)
Manual designed both for disabled people's organisations seeking to raise awareness and implement equality programmes, and for the humanitarian and development community seeking to ensure that disabled people are equal participants in their emergency response and development programmes. Part one looks at the principles behind Disability Equality training, drawing on Oxfam's experience working with disabled people's organisations in Kosovo. Part two contains materials for training Disability Equality trainers, including workshop activities, facilitator's notes and handouts.
Shelfmark: 13.78 HAR

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Characteristics, Conflict and Risk: NGO Insecurity in conflict zones
Larissa Fast
Disasters Vol 31 No. 2, June 2007, 130-154
Results of research on three countries-Angola, Ecuador and Sierra Leone-and exploration of the relationship between levels of insecurity, context and the characteristics of NGOs.

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Conflict, camps and coercion: the ongoing livelihoods crisis in Darfur
Margie Buchanan-Smith and Susanne Jaspers

This paper presents the findings of a study commissioned by World Food Programme (WFP) in early 2006 to enhance understanding of how the conflict in Darfur has affected livelihoods and markets, and of the effects of food aid. The paper proposes a number of preconditions for investment in recovery in Darfur, and recommends ways in which livelihoods can be supported in the current context of ongoing conflict.
Disasters Vol. 31 No. S1 March 2007, 57-76, or online: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1467-7717.2007.00349.x

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Increasing strategic accountability: a framework for international NGOs
Sue Cavill and M. Sohail
This paper presents a conceptual framework for exploring INGO accountability, based on information collected through a literature review and semi-structured interviews with representatives from 20 UK-based INGOs. The research found that INGOs tend to use a number of quality-assurance mechanisms to achieve 'practical' accountability. However, it is suggested that this kind of accountability will not necessarily enable INGOs to achieve their missions to alleviate poverty and eliminate injustice. Furthermore, the predominant use of practical accountability has led to a number of gaps in INGO accountability. It is suggested that, like the term participation before it, accountability has been co-opted for its instrumental benefits to INGO project performance and management. It is argued that if INGOs are to achieve their missions, this will require more 'strategic' forms of accountability geared towards fundamentally changing those social, economic, and political structures that promote poverty.
Development in Practice, Vol. 17 No. 2, April 2007, 231

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

April

BRCS INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY BULLETIN

Bulletin on International Humanitarian News, Events and Publications

(2007:4, April)

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BRCS International Monthly Seminar Programme
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April 26th 2007, 1-2pm Lecture Theatre
Kevin Studds - The red crystal emblem.

Following the adoption of the Third Additional Protocol to the 1949 Geneva Conventions by States in 2005, the red crystal emblem was incorporated into the Movement's Statutes in June 2006. What was the process that led to this change, and what does the change mean for the British Red Cross and Movement as a whole? Please join us for a short lunchtime talk on the red crystal emblem, followed by a Q&A session.

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Forthcoming seminars and workshops:

15th May 2007, 2-5pm, Lecture Theatre
Monitoring & Evaluation Workshop

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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ICRC REPORT HIGHLIGHTS PLIGHT OF CIVILIANS IN IRAQ

'Iraq: civilians without protection - The ever-worsening humanitarian crisis in Iraq' - a report from the ICRC highlighting the steadily worsening humanitarian situation and its effect on the civilian population. Protecting Iraq's civilian population must be a priority, and the ICRC urgently calls for better respect for international humanitarian law. It appeals to all those with military or political influence on the ground to act now to ensure that the lives of ordinary Iraqis are spared and protected. This is an obligation under international humanitarian law for both States and non-State actors. The ICRC aims to ensure that Iraqis receive the aid they need most. It cooperates closely with the Iraqi Red Crescent. However, humanitarian aid is clearly not enough when it comes to addressing the immense needs of Iraqis in the present disastrous security situation.
Read the report at http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/iraq-report-110407?opendocument

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'Confusion in the Margins' of Humanitarian Action:
Antonio Donini's closing reflections at the February ICVA Annual Conference

Humanitarian action has expanded, according to Donini, 'accordion-style' into new territories in the 90s. Does humanitarianism need to go back to basics? Contrasting northern humanitarians (Dunantists, Wilsonians, Faith-Based and Solidarists) and Southern humanitarians (local communities, non-traditional donors such as China, India, the Gulf States, Islamic charities and migrant remittances), we see that there is not one humanitarianism, but many.

Where do we go from here? Donini saw a need, first of all, to recognize the diversity in the community and build on it. He hears strong arguments for reserving a protected niche for "purist" humanitarian action to be undertaken by recognized NGOs and accredited humanitarian professionals - those engaging in development, human rights, peace-building or advocacy should avoid the humanitarian label. Ideally, only agencies with a neutral and independent agenda should operate in open war, but as this is unlikely to happen, transparent signals as to agenda and mandate can help preserve the protected space for independent players.

However, in some contexts a multi-mission approach is not only useful but necessary; for example, in dealing with HIV/AIDS, climate change, pandemics, migration and compounded disasters. In future, Donini suggests we can expect such crises on a hithertoo unplanned-for scale - current debates on humanitarian diversification and integration/coherence paling in the shadow of the consequences of those threats on future human vulnerability.
Full article available at http://www.icva.ch/doc00002012.html.

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FORTHCOMING EVENTS
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MSF DISCUSSION EVENINGS 2007
The Castle Pub at Farringdon, London

THE INTEGRATION AGENDA: COHERENCE OR CO-OPTION?
Tuesday 29 May, 6:30 to 8:30pm

The logic of coherence is driving the agenda of the UN and of main donors and members of the Security Council. By coordinating efforts of political, military and humanitarian agencies they expect to improve the effectiveness of the aid provided. Tonight's discussion will analyse this new agenda and measure its importance in international politics today. We will look at the potential advantages and disadvantages of such an approach, particularly for the humanitarian world.
Facilitator: Paul Harvey, Research Fellow, Humanitarian Policy Group, Overseas Development Institute.
Speakers: Fabrice Weissman, Researcher, MSF France; Jamie McGoldrick, OCHA (to be confirmed); Katy Attfield, Senior Civil Military Advisor, Department for International Development (DFID).

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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Preview screening of critically acclaimed film Daratt - 11th May, Cine Lumiere, S. Kensington

Soda Pictures are releasing critically-acclaimed African director Mahamat-Saleh Haroun's new film DARATT (aka DRY SEASON) in UK cinemas on the 27th July 2007. DARATT has won several humanitarian media awards including the UNESCO, SIGNIS and EIUC awards at the 2006 Venice Film Festival as well as the prestigious Silver Lion, Grand Special Jury Prize. 2007 has seen
further awards from the Ouagadougou Panafrican Film and Television Festival.

A simple tale with a powerful dramatic message, DARATT tells the story of Atim. The sixteen year old, orphaned by the long-raging civil war in Chad, lives with his blind grandfather. When the government decides to amnesty the country's war criminals, his grandfather urges him to avow revenge on the man who killed his father.

The film is being screened as a special preview at the Mosaiques Film Festival at The Cine Lumiere (South Kensington) on 11th May, to which we would like to invite you to attend as guest. We can see potential in using this film to raise awareness of the situation in countries such as Chad and your important work in this area. RSVP to ling@sodapictures.com, places are limited.

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PUBLICATIONS
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Contingency Planning and Humanitarian Action - A Review of Practice
Austen Davis for ODI - Humanitarian Practice Network
One of the most frequently heard criticisms of humanitarian action is that it is unaccountable and unregulated. In response, a wide range of initiatives has been launched to improve quality and accountability. Reformers argue that, if actors are held to account, they will behave better and fulfil their responsibilities. They also contend that being accountable for one's actions has moral value. This paper asks whether initiatives designed to improve accountability really are the solution to the problems humanitarianism faces today. It does not aim to dismiss accountability; rather, it seeks to show that accountability is a procedural phenomenon, not a moral one. http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/lib.nsf/db900SID/EGUA-728LYU?OpenDocument

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Key Messages from ALNAP's Review of Humanitarian Action

The easily digestible Key Messages version of this year's ALNAP review now available online.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/lib.nsf/db900SID/JBRN-6Y5LMG?

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OXFAM review of European Central Emergency Response Fund one year on

The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has the potential to help millions of people whose lives are devastated every year by emergencies around the world. But that potential has not yet been fully realized.

Oxfam welcomes the progress made by the CERF in its first year of performance and the positive results achieved. However, a number of significant challenges remain. Urgent improvements must be made in order for the CERF to provide a truly rapid response to sudden-onset disasters, to bridge the funding gaps in under-funded emergencies and to become a transparent and accountable funding mechanism.
http://www.oxfam.org/en/files/bp100_CERF_oneyear_0703.pdf

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HUMANITARIAN EXCHANGE MAGAZINE 37 - JUST PUBLISHED
This edition focusses on the emergency response to the Israel/Lebanon conflict. Includes coverage of operational issues for agencies of integrated missions in Haiti and Sudan, the Tsunami Evaluation Coalition's synthesis report, coordination through clusters during the Pakistan earthquake response, lessons learned from programmes using cash distributions in Southern Somalia, shelter programming after two years of tsunami recovery in Sri Lanka and Aceh, and disaster diplomacy.
Hard copy versions available from HPP or the library, or see http://www.odihpn.org/report.asp?id=2869

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DfID - Report on international migration - published 16 Apr 07

While migration is not a new phenomenon in poor or rich countries, the scale of migration has reached unprecedented levels around the world. It will see half of all people in Asia live in urban areas by 2020, and half of all Africans by 2030. So the new report stresses the importance of managing the risks that this creates, and maximising the benefits it offers.
Secretary of State for International Development, Hilary Benn, commented, 'I hope that this policy paper can contribute to this debate and illustrate how well-managed migration can be a positive force for development. The UK, together with others, is committed to supporting developing countries' efforts to make the most of migration, helping them to manage the risks and realise the benefits, so that they can make progress in fighting poverty.'
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/pubs/files/migration-policy.pdf

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WHO/UNAIDS/UNICEF report - Scaling up priority AIDS interventions

By the end of 2006 more than 2 million people in low- and middle-income countries had access to antiretroviral therapy - a 54% increase over the 1.3 million people on treatment in 2005. However, provision of antiretroviral treatment to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV is inadequate- only 11% of HIV-positive pregnant women in need of treatment were receiving it in 2006. Access to prevention and treatment services for people who inject drugs remains insufficient, and there is a need to scale-up testing and counselling services for people living with HIV - currently only 12% of men and 10% of women in sub-Saharan Africa know their HIV status.
see www.who.int/hiv/mediacentre/univeral_access_progress_report_en.pdf

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Investigating the Mystery of Capacity Building: Learning from the Praxis Programme
INTRAC Praxis Paper 18

Capacity building is a mystery. Despite all the attention given to capacity building over the last decade, we are left with nagging doubts and unanswered questions. We are not sure what works and why. Some are not convinced that capacity building makes any positive difference at all. This paper investigates this mystery. It draws on the experiences shared by capacity building practitioners through the INTRAC Praxis Programme over the past four years. This DGIS-supported programme encouraged capacity building practitioners to reflect on, learn from and disseminate their experiences in the field. To date, practitioners have written 17 Praxis papers, 31 Praxis Notes, and attended six Praxis supported workshops. They have written from diverse contexts on a wide variety of themes, and yet common issues have emerged. This paper syntheses this learning.
http://www.intrac.org/pages/PraxisPaper18.html

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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.
Do you know that you can access journal articles from your desk? For a quick induction explaining the resources held by the library and how to use them, please contact Bridget Andrews.

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Atlas of global development / World Bank (Collins, 2007)
Maps and statistical tables aiming to illustrate the world's development at the beginning of the 21st century, drawing on the statistical indicators collected by the World Bank to guide its development programs.
Shelfmark: 6.1 WOR

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The state of the world's children 2007 : Women and children : the double dividend of gender equality (UNICEF, 2006)
This year's report looks at equality in the household, in employment, and in politics and government and argues that promoting gender equality and empowering women will have the 'double dividend' of bettering the lives of both women and children.
Shelfmark: 13.72 UNI

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

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).

Addendum to February

Dear All

Please find below details we have just received of another event taking place in London in March.

Many thanks

Laura

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HPN Network Paper Launch Meeting - 'Accountability in Humanitarian Action'
Monday 19 March 2007 13.00-14.30 pm, Overseas Development Institute, 111 Westminster Bridge Road, London

One of the most frequently heard criticisms of humanitarian action is that it is unaccountable and unregulated. In response, a wide range of initiatives has been launched to improve quality and accountability. The Humanitarian Practice Network (HPN) invites you to a meeting to discuss the findings of HPN Network Paper 58, Concerning accountability in humanitarian action.
The paper by Austen Davis asks whether schemes designed to improve accountability really are the solution to the problems humanitarianism faces today. It proposes a more productive route for reform to ensure the conditions for building and maintaining authentic NGOs with a sense of mission, detailed internal accountabilities and open relations with the
general public and media.

Speaker: Austen Davis, former Director General of MSF Holland.
Moderator: Paul Harvey, Research Fellow, ODI.
Respondents to include:
* Nicholas Stockton, Executive Director, Humanitarian Accountability Project - International.
* John Mitchell, Head, Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action (ALNAP).

There will be time for informal discussion and networking after the meeting.

If you would like to attend, please send an email stating your name, organisation and contact details to: hpn@odi.org.uk

February

BRCS INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY BULLETIN

Bulletin on International Humanitarian News, Events and Publications

(2007:2, February)

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BRCS International Monthly Seminar Programme
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March 29th 2007, 1-2pm Basement Room
The Politicisation of Humanitarian Action - Medecins Sans Frontieres

April 26th 2007, 1-2pm Basement Room
The Humanitarian Impact of Climate Change - Andrew Simms, New Economics Foundation (TBC)

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

Full seminar programme forthcoming!

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

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NEWS
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HAP 2007 Standard in Humanitarian Accountability and Quality Management adopted 30.01.07

After six years of research and consultations, the Standard is intended to exemplify quality management as "just a practical means through which continual improvements can be made in the accountability and effectiveness of humanitarian work" (Denis Caillaux, the Chair of the Board). It consists of principles of accountability, a binding humanitarian accountability covenant drawing on RC/RC fundamental principles, and benchmarks for quality management. A voluntary certification scheme will soon be launched, recognising effective humanitarian quality management systems.
The Standard and more information available at http://www.hapinternational.org/en/

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Director of ODI sets out a 2007 global development agenda dominated by politics - but where is climate change?

The challenges of poverty, aid, trade, politics and human security will make 2007 a tough year, says Simon Maxwell, ODI Director, as in the aids and development sector itself '… [a]ttention will begin to focus on glaring and growing inequality between rich and poor, in a conversation dominated by ideas of social justice rather than the eradication of absolute poverty.'
Read and comment at: http://blogs.odi.org.uk/blogs/main/archive/2006/12/22/1432.aspx

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FORTHCOMING EVENTS
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Launch of the inTERRAgate online global hazard database, Grange City Hotel, London, on Thursday, March 22nd.

Developed by the Benfield UCL Hazard Research Centre and SARAID, and with financial support from UCL Futures, inTERRAgate is primarily designed to raise awareness of natural hazards that may lead to future disasters, thereby improving the preparedness and responses of humanitarian agencies and other first responders. InTERRAgate includes a hazard profile for each country, together with information on past events and future threats, and opportunities to upload your own contributions to the database. At present the site has basic hazard data on just 10 countries that are particularly hazard prone, although ultimately every country will be represented. InTERRAgate will be test-launched a few weeks before the formal launch, and in the meantime you can view flyers and elements of the site at: http://www.s176613701.websitehome.co.uk. Please note that this address may not always function due to continuing work on the site in the run-up to the launch.

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Conference, 'Better Water for a Better Life'.
Wednesday 7 March, 16.00 to 18.00, Grimond Room, Portcullis House, Bridge Street, London SW1A 2LW.
Speakers: Gareth Thomas MP (DFID Minister), Norah Odwesso (Diageo Africa). Chair: Malcolm Bruce MP (Chair, International Development Committee). Due to a limited number of conference places please RSVP to Josephine Osikena, e-mail, josephine.osikena@fpc.org.uk or tel:
0207 729 7566.

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Panel: Women and Men Preventing HIV & AIDS - Issues, Inequalities and Solutions'
08 March 2007, 3-5pm
Attlee Suite, Portcullis House, Westminster, London
ActionAid, Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and the All Party Parliamentary Groups on AIDS, and Population, Development and Reproductive Health present a panel and market place. Speakers include Mary Wandia (ActionAid International), Grace Mukasa (VSO) and a special guest from the documentary on PEPFAR presented by IPPF. Chair: Lord Chris Smith. The event is free, but you must RSVP to Aviva Bresky at breskya@parliament.uk or on 0207 219 6916.
NB - Cathy Stephen (NSSP PA) will be attending this event and reporting back.

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Panel discussion: Women's Rights in the Age of Insecurity
08 March 2007, 6-9pm
The Library, Central Hall Westminster, Storey's Gate, London

While global politics today is dominated by the War on Terror, the growth of fundamentalisms - economic, political, cultural and religious - is undermining progress towards women's rights. Governments worldwide have committed to ending discrimination and promoting women's rights. How can we hold them to account to enable women to claim their rights and escape from poverty? Speakers include Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for International Development and Noerine Kaleeba, HIV/AIDS Activist and Chair of ActionAid International.
Places are free, but you must RSVP to policyandcampaigns@actionaid.org, or by calling Labina Basit on 020 7561 7611.

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DfID Launch of recent IDS Publications on Sexuality
Monday 19 March, 11.30 to 13.00 at DFID, 1 Palace Street, London SW1E 5HE.
Featuring brief presentations by: Sonia Correa (International Sexuality Policy Watch, Brazil), Pinar Ilkkaracan (Coalition for Sexual and Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies, Susie Jolly and Andrea Cornwall (IDS). Coffee will be available from 11.00, and a buffet lunch will follow.
RSVP to Elaine Mercer on E.Mercer@ids.ac.uk Please reply by 12 March if possible.

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HIV/AIDS and other Infectious Diseases: lessons for a global future
Facilitated by Tony Barnett & Alan Whiteside
17-19 April 2007 at the London School of Economics
This is the latest in the global series of workshops on the social and economic implications of the HIV/AIDS epidemic facilitated by Professors Barnett & Whiteside. The main focus will be on HIV/AIDS, but the substance of the workshop will draw on a wider concern with infectious diseases. The HIV epidemic teaches us important lessons for thinking about long term social and economic effects of epidemic infectious diseases in general. The fee for this three day workshop is £1200 which included tea/coffee and lunches. Please enquire for further information. To apply for a place on this workshop, go to: http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/LSEAIDS/events/HIVAIDS%20Workshop%20Dec%202006.doc
or email us at Lseaids@lse.ac.uk

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PUBLICATIONS
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ODI Discussion Paper - Learning from cash responses to the tsunami: Final report by Lesley Adams.

This report by the Tsunami Cash Learning Project (http://www.odi.org.uk/hpg/Cash_vouchers_tsunani.html) follows an earlier piece of Humanitarian Policy Group research by Paul Harvey on emergency cash transfers (http://www.odi.org.uk/hpg/papers/cash_discussion_paper.pdf). It sets out to record the experiences of agencies implementing cash-based interventions, and their results, and to develop guidelines for future emergency cash interventions. The project covers tsunami interventions in Aceh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India.
http://www.odi.org.uk/hpg/papers/BGP_Tsunamilessons.pdf

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Humanitarian Exchange Magazine 36

The articles in this issue of Humanitarian Exchange investigate key issues of concern for the IDPs of Northern Uganda, including protection and livelihoods, to inform strategy development in response to this changing context. This edition also includes a range of general policy and practice articles. It looks at different approaches and methodologies for assessing and planning for food security, health and psychosocial interventions, the role of information technology in coordinating and planning humanitarian action, new thinking about the return and reintegration of refugees and issues around effectiveness, accountability and inter-agency collaboration.
http://www.odihpn.org/documents/humanitarianexchange036.pdf

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UN Security Guidelines for Women

UN DSS has developed guidelines related to UN female staff, as a result of a specific requests from women who wanted tips to deal with security issues as the relate to women. The guidelines consist of three parts; travel in a foreign country, sexual harassment and rape awareness. Much of the material applies to both men and women, and copies are available from SCHR.

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Self-study tool on UN-Civil Military Coordination

Developed by OCHA 'to reinforce aspects of civil-military coordination from a humanitarian perspective', this self-study tool, called 'UN-CMCoord IMPACT', can be downloaded and burnt to CD-ROM from http://ocha.unog.ch/uncmcoord/.

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Debating NGO Accountability by Dr. Jem Bendell

In the context of the current debates around NGO accountability, we need to ask what initiatives will improve the accountability of all institutions to the people whose lives they shape, and what initiatives could serve merely to undermine NGOs' useful and largely accepted role in holding business and government accountable for their actions. With this in mind, this new Development Dossier from NGLS puts democracy and human rights firmly at the centre of the debate about NGO accountability. The publication is available for free download from http://www.un-ngls.org.

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IDS Policy Briefing December 2006 - Making Accountability Count

Accountability is now a buzzword in contemporary development debates. It is central to development policy, whether government accountability (as a central component of good governance), corporate accountability (promoted by a swathe of standards and codes), or civil society accountability (claimed by people and organisations from the bottom up). Yet with so many competing ideas, interpretations and practices, it is sometimes unclear how improved accountability is directly relevant to the lives of poor and marginalised people. In order to build accountable institutions that respond to claims by citizens, it is crucial to understand how accountability matters, for whom, and under what conditions it operates. This Policy Briefing looks at who benefits from improved accountability and focuses on how people claim accountability in practice.
http://www.ids.ac.uk/ids/bookshop/briefs/PB33.pdf

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Impact Measurement and Accountability in Emergencies: The Good Enough Guide
Developed by the Emergency Capacity Building Project (ECB).
What difference are we making? How do we know? The Good Enough Guide helps busy field workers to address these questions. It offers a set of basic guidelines on how to be accountable to local people and measure programme impact in emergency situations. Its 'good enough' approach emphasises simple and practical solutions and encourages the user to choose tools that are safe, quick, and easy to implement.
http://publications.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam/display.asp?K=_2006111410173391

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We're Too Much in 'To Do' Mode: Action Research into Supporting International NGOs to Learn, by Maaike Smit

International development organisations are continually urged to do things better by learning more from their experiences. For this, organisational learning is crucial. But developing organisational learning capacity does not just happen: it requires a conscious effort, which at its core involves jointly making sense of experiences. This Praxis Paper, written by Maaike Smit of PSO, explores how action research, in which the researcher and respondents in an organisation jointly make sense of their organisational learning, can be a worthwhile way to support organisational learning. The paper concludes with practical implications for those involved in organisational learning processes in international development organisations: learners, managers, consultants and researchers.
Paper available for download from http://www.intrac.org/pages/PraxisPaper16.html.

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Food Security in Southern Africa: Changing the trend? Review of lessons learnt on recent responses to chronic and transitory hunger and vulnerability. - Nick Maunder and Steve Wiggins, November 2006.

Commissioned jointly by OGB, Care, WVI and RHVP to benchmark progress in understanding and appropriately responding to, transitory and chronic food security in Southern Africa since 2001. It assesses the changes in the understanding of the problem, how this has been incorporated into policy, and how programming has subsequently changed in relation to these latter two points. Overall, although now accepted that the majority suffer chronic hunger, the transitory needs associated with drought and other climatic triggers continue to demand the most immediate and urgent action with little change in dominance of use of large scale food aid due to donor reluctance, lack of capacity, and lack of evidence of impact of alternative livelihoods support. Despite this continued focus on relief, interest in social protection with aim to achieve greater impact on chronic hunger has increased. Also increased interest in disaster risk reduction, although in practise there is still a long way to go in terms of integration into national policies and development programming.
http://newsite.irinnews.org/pdf/Changing-the-trend-FINAL-report-jan-29-2007.pdf

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BRIDGE Bibliography 18: Women and girls living with HIV/AIDS - overview and annotated bibliography
Emily Esplen, Prepared in collaboration with the International Community of Women Living with HIV and AIDS (ICW)
Available for download from http://www.bridge.ids.ac.uk/reports/BB18_HIV.pdf

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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)
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Positive lives : international responses to HIV & AIDS (Concern, 2006)

Positive Lives is an international project that photographs and documents the social and emotional impact of HIV/AIDS and works with local HIV organisations and international aid agencies to incorporate this resource into health and education programmes. This book contains images from around the world, with accompanying text, showing the lives of HIV positive people in different communities. Shelfmark: 4.11 POS

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Humanitarian intervention : ethical, legal and political dilemmas / edited by J.L. Holzgrefe and Robert O. Keohane (Cambridge University Press, 2003)

Essays analysing humanitarian intervention in the context of state failure in many parts of the world, looking at fundamental issues of moral theory, processes of change in international law, and how conceptions of sovereignty are shifting as a result of changes in norms of human rights. Shelfmark: 11.5 HUM

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Civilians in war / edited by Simon Chesterman (Lynne Rienner, 2001)

This book looks at international humanitarian law as it applies to the protection of non-combatants. It covers the context of evolving attitudes about civilians and belligerents; inducing compliance, including a case study of the ICRC work in Colombia; a discussion of how compliance can be enforced, and the issues around reevaluating the protection of civilians in the context of modern armed conflict. Shelfmark: 2.2 CIV

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The place at the end of the world : essays from the edge / Janine di Giovanni (Bloomsbury, 2006)

A collection of pieces illustrating the lives of people in conflict areas by the foreign correspondent Janine di Giovanni, written between 1998 and 2005. Shelfmark: 3.23 DIG

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States of denial : knowing about atrocities and suffering / Stanley Cohen (Polity press, 2001)

"Study of both the personal and political ways in which uncomfortable realities are avoided and evaded. It ranges from clinical studies of depression, to media images of suffering, to explanations of the 'passive bystander' and 'compassion fatigue'. The book show how organised atrocities - the Holocaust and other genocides, torture, and political massacres - are denied by perpetrators and by bystanders". Shelfmark: 13.4 COH

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The new interventionism 1991-1994 : United Nations experience in Cambodia, former Yugoslavia and Somalia / edited by James Mayall (Cambridge University Press, 1996)

This book considers the reasons for the failure of the 'new world order' envisaged at the end of the Cold War by looking at the challenges faced by the international community in three major UN operations: the implementation of a previously negotiated political agreement in Cambodia, the need to devise a credible division of labour between the UN and the EU in former Yugoslavia, and the operation in Somalia to mount a humanitarian mission in a country without a government. In each case the authors look at common themes as well as contrasts and raise questions about the possibilities for and limits of international reform. Shelfmark: 11.5 NEW

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Saving strangers : humanitarian intervention in international society / Nicholas J. Wheeler (Oxford University Press, 2002)

This book considers the extent to which humanitarian intervention has become a legitimate practice in international society. The author examines the legitimacy of intervention in seven cold-war and post-cold-war cases. The conclusion is that while unilateral humanitarian intervention continues to be viewed with great suspicion by international society, it can support a new solidarity among states based on reconciling the imperatives of order and justice. Shelfmark: 11.5 WHE

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

January

BRCS INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY BULLETIN

Bulletin on International Humanitarian News, Events and Publications

(2007:1, January)

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BRCS International Monthly Seminars begin 25.01.07!
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Challenge 2007 - Mainstreaming and Scaling-up HIV and AIDS response
Alyson Lewis & Catherine Mears
January 25th 2007, 1-2pm - Basement Room

Please join us to discuss:
- How do we mainstream HIV?
- How can we scale up our HIV response?
- How are we are going to operationalise our 2007 Divisional plans?
- What are the implications for the Division?

Future seminar dates:
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February 22nd 2007, 1-2pm St. Pauls
Accountability of humanitarian organisations and NGOs - Global Accountability Project, OneWorld Trust (TBC)

March 29th 2007, 1-2pm Basement Room
The Politicisation of Humanitarian Action - Medecins Sans Frontieres

Full seminar programme forthcoming!

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

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NEWS
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Jan Egeland's successor named

Sir John Holmes, FCO diplomat and outgoing UK Ambassador to France, has been appointed as Jan Egeland's Successor as Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.
http://www.alertnet.org/db/blogs/1564/2007/00/3-182150-1.htm

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New Year, New Data

The Human Security Brief 2006 was launched in late December, presenting conflict trend data and analysis of trends in ending wars and organized violence against civilians. New data indicate that the trend of declining international conflict continues during 2002-5 from 66 to 56 armed conflicts, and that Sub-Saharan Africa sees the biggest decrease. On the other hand, organized violence against civilians and terrorist incidents has increased.
The Brief is online at http://www.humansecuritybrief.info/

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Good Humanitarian Donorship examined

This HPG's December 2006 paper Good Humanitarian Donorship: Overcoming obstacles to improve collective donor performance by Sue Graves and Victoria Wheeler, HPG, considers how much efforts to provide guidance and measure performance through the GHD initiative have succeeded in overcoming common obstacles to implementation. The researchers have prepared an enhanced performance measurement framework, which aims to help clarify responsibilities and roles, strengthen guidance for donor staff and help monitoring and evaluation. The paper also makes recommendations for donors and humanitarian agencies to strengthen and improve overall engagement with GHD. Among other proposals GHD should adopt a performance measurement framework and clear indicators.
http://www.goodhumanitariandonorship.org/, http://www.odi.org.uk/hpg/GHD.html

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The Right to Know: The Challenge of Public Accountability in Aceh and Sri Lanka

The Office of the Special Envoy published a report on the role of information and transparency to the affected populations in late December. 'The Right to Know' reviews some of the challenges and best practices in providing access to information to tsunami-affected populations. It also gives some very concrete recommendations, relevant to both the tsunami recovery and future recovery efforts. It is available at www.tsunamispecialenvoy.org.

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HIV terminology

Recent guidance has been published on what terms should be used in our HIV work please see http://data.unaids.org/pub//InformationNote/2006/EditorsNotes_en.pdf.

Following this UNAIDS recently published an article entitled "Words are not neutral against HIV" describing why words such as 'HIV positive' and 'People living with HIV' are gradually replacing other terms, such as 'AIDS sufferers' and 'victims of the disease'. It discusses why we are witnessing such a transformation, and what this means. See http://www.unaids.org/en/MediaCentre/PressMaterials/FeatureStory/HIVprevention.asp

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Humanitarian Practice Network (HPN) Website Relaunched

HPN has re-launched its website to improve dialogue, access to publications and site functionality. The network provides an independent forum for policy-makers, practitioners and others working in or on the humanitarian sector to share and disseminate information, analysis and experience.
http://www.odihpn.org/index.asp

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RECENT EVENTS
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Dispatches from Disaster Zones

On 13th December 2006 BRCS hosted a high-profile debate at the Foreign Press Association in partnership with the Department for International Development, ITV News and The Times which explored how and why the media report humanitarian crises, what influences the volume and content of their reporting, and the relationships between the actors - all firmly rooted in how this vital part of the humanitarian jigsaw can ultimately influence the support that beneficiaries receive. The debate coincided with the launch of the 2006 World Disasters Report which focuses on neglected crises. The British Red Cross is convening a task force to continue the dialogue amongst journalists, NGOs, academics and humanitarian agencies about the reporting of emergencies. Contact Leigh Daynes for further information (LDaynes@redcross.org.uk, x 7046).

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ALNAP Meeting in Rome in December

The ALNAP 19th Biennial meeting took place in Rome on 6-7 December 2006, hosted by FAO/WFP. Meeting addressed TEC recommendations relating to the regulation/accreditation of humanitarian actors. Some lively discussion, as this is a move perceived by some as inevitable and urgent, given the lack of improvement in the humanitarian sector since the 1996 Joint Evaluation of Emergency Assistance to Rwanda. Recognition of need for improvements, but regulation may not be the best way forward. There are real dangers with this sudden push: for example, most regulatory systems focus on processes (ISO standards, SGS audits, etc.) and do not automatically guarantee the quality of the programmes. The future role of ALNAP was also discussed. Two key points: first, there are various accountability initiatives (often challenged by donors who support several of these initiatives) which at times may overlap. ALNAP, SPHERE, HAP-I, URD, and People in Aid Coordination Sud, ECB have commissioned a study looking at the complementarities, competition and convergence of quality and accountability initiatives. Secondly, there are serious concerns about the fact that ALNAP remains a particularly Western-led initiative, despite efforts to reach out and (since recently) to have meetings in the South.
Minutes and related documents on the ALNAP website (www.alnap.org).

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Strategy Meeting on Infant Feeding in Emergencies (IFE) - 1-2 November, Oxford.
Organised by the Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN).

The IFE Core group (made up of the ENN, WHO, UNHCR, UNICEF, IBFAN-GIFA, CARE USA, and Fondation Terre des hommes, and coordinated by ENN since 2004) have produced policy guidance, embodied in Operational Guidance on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies for programme and emergency relief staff, and developed two training modules. However, difficulties in putting guidance and training modules into operation have lead to poor co-ordination and policy awareness, and evidence of limited technical know-how in recent emergency responses. This strategy meeting, therefore, identified key constraints to supporting and protecting appropriaite infant feeding practises in emergencies, and developing strategic directions and practical steps to address them.
IFE Code and Guidance material, plus meeting minutes are available at http://www.ennonline.net.

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Sahil Working Group meetings

The Working Group, which is attended by BRCS, is seeking a commitment from DFID to fund longer-term support in Sahil, and has presented a paper to DFID identifying and justifying hoped-for interventions. They are also planning research around chronic vulnerability and DRR. BRCS continue to attend and share information with the Irish Red Cross (with whom we are in the process of developing a partnership for longer-term support in Niger).

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FORTHCOMING EVENTS
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On Friday 2nd February, ICVA will hold a one-day conference in Geneva on "How Compatible are UN Coherence and Humanitarian Partnership?"

With the publication of the report of the UN Secretary-General's High-Level Panel on UN System-wide Coherence, it seems that there will be increased efforts to work towards "one UN". Efforts focused on UN coherence will potentially have huge impacts on humanitarian action, as well as on non-UN humanitarian actors. System-wide coherence may mean that the UN will have to pursue a peace and development agenda under which humanitarian principles risk being sacrificed. The Conference will bring together NGOs, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, the UN, other inter-governmental organisations, and governments to reflect upon an issue that has major implications for humanitarian action: UN coherence.

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Conference: Rights based development and humanitarian action in conflict situations
08 - 09 February 2007, DfID, 1 Palace Street, London SW1E 5HE

Organised by UK Inter-Agency group on Rights Based Approaches (IAG), and hosted by DfID. The purpose of this exploratory conference is to learn, challenge our thinking and improve the impact of our rights based programme and policy work in conflict situations through the creation of space for issue-raising, debate and analysis of emerging challenges, tensions and questions as well as areas of complementarily. There will be a publication capturing the challenges and tensions, and areas of complementarity between human rights and conflict prevention.
Although the deadline for registration has passed (12.01.07), you may still be able to participate - contact Magdalene Lagu on lagu@careinternational.org.

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PUBLICATIONS
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ALNAP Review of Humanitarian Action

The latest edition of ALNAP's RHA has just been published, together with a separate Key Messages booklet available in English, French and Spanish. Chapter 1 was written by Hugo Slim and offers a reflection on what the humanitarian system can realistically be expected to achieve; Chapter 2, the annual evaluation synthesis was written by Tony Vaux and focuses on the distortions and imbalances in the provision of humanitarian assistance; and Chapter 3, written by Peta Sandison, provides an analysis on the utilisation of evaluations in wHiCh BRCS participated as part of the Advisory Group for the study. The chapter provides some useful thoughts for our wn internal practice.
Download report from http://www.alnap.org/publications/rha.htm

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The Global Accountability Report launched December 2006

This index is the first to measure and compare the accountability of transnational actors from intergovernmental, non-governmental, and corporate sectors. The good practice of thirty of the world's most influential organisations (including the IFRC) are assessed on four dimensions of accountability: do they ensure participation through equitable member control and engage communities in decision-making processes that affect them?; do they evaluate their work and integrate learning into future planning?; do they provide safe channels for affected communities to voice their grievances and concerns, and do they offer them a response?
Download a summary or the full report at http://www.oneworldtrust.org/.

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The Future of Humanitarian Action

Humanitarian organisations are going global, but are they creating an inclusive, global community which makes the most of diversity or an exclusive, Northern-style club? Peter Walker of the Feinstein International Center explores this question in a recent paper, The Future of Humanitarian Action. He argues that overcoming organisational inertia, maximising learning and encouraging innovation will be as important to humanitarianism as it is today to the corporate sector. Walker challenges the post-WWII construct of an international humanitarian community and says it's time for greater diversity. Key is to grow by embracing a diversity, which goes much beyond that of today, yet retaining the fundamental principles. Walker claims a need to deepen the "cause campaigning" of the 80s and 90s and suggests a much more intensive, involved, informed and often quieter process of working to find levers of change wherever they may be, a methodology which partly challenges the RC principle of neutrality. Finally, he suggests that it is time for this greater diversity of actors to act with more coherence and more contribution to the common good. Download the seven-page paper from
http://nutrition.tufts.edu/pdf/research/famine/the_future_of_humanitarian_action_peter_walker.pdf

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Field Exchange,December 2006

Exit strategies in OVC programming in Namibia - Experiences from Namibia, where the WFP and the Namibian Red Cross are working with the Government to develop a welfare grant system capable of supporting 156,000 chronically food-insecure OVC.

Improving food security in vulnerable households in Swaziland - Lessons learned from a small-scale communal agriculture pilot implemented by the Baphali Swaziland Red Cross and supported by the Finnish Red Cross and the IFRC.
Both available at: http://www.ennonline.net/fex/current/index.html

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Disasters - Special Edition on Cash Transfers

Emerging evidence on the role of cash transfers in poverty reduction means that they are on the agenda in emergency and developmental contexts across the developing world. Development Policy Review and Disasters have published simultaneous theme issues on cash transfers, covering issues including cash for work programmes in post-tsunami Aceh, cash-based interventions in southern Somalia, and cash transfer to ex-combatants in disarmament, and demobilisation and reintegration processes.
September 2006 - Vol. 30 Issue 3 Page 273-379
SHORT-TERM LINK: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=0361-3666&site=1

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Humanitarian Exchange Magazine 34: Humanitarian action in urban contexts

This publication from HPN focuses on the fact that by 2007, more than half the world's population will be living in cities; as urbanisation gathers pace, this proportion will grow. For humanitarian actors, urbanisation will increasingly shape old and new vulnerability and risks, and will increasingly define disasters in the future.
http://www.odihpn.org/documents/humanitarianexchange035.pdf

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ODI Study - Providing Aid in Insecure Environments: Trends in Policy and Operation
By: Abby Stoddard, Adele Harmer and Katherine Haver

This study, based on field research in Afghanistan, Iraq, North Caucasus, and Somalia and Somaliland, examines how perceptions of increased risk to aid organisations have influenced operational security measures and have led to increasing reliance on local aid actors and national staff, allowing operations to continue, but also creating a number of challenges and ethical concerns. It recommends that international humanitarian actors engage in prior strategic planning and adopt guiding principles on how these approaches can best be undertaken.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/lib.nsf/db900SID/OCHA-6UPGE5?OpenDocument

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The 'protection crisis': A review of field-based strategies for humanitarian protection in Darfur

This paper analyses field-based strategies employed by humanitarian actors in Darfur to protect civilians affected by conflict. It is part of a study on 'protection in practice' which aims to examine current practice in humanitarian protection and explore efforts undertaken in different contexts to support the protection of civilians. Focusing on roles, outcomes and the internal and external limitations of humanitarian actors, the purpose of the research is to draw lessons and elicit best practice. This Discussion Paper on Darfur will inform a comprehensive HPG report due for publication in mid-2007.
http://www.odi.org.uk/hpg/protection_practice.html

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