Protection of Civilians Military Reference Guide, Second Edition Second Edition | Page 23

Protection of Civilians Military Reference Guide
► Figure 1.4: The 3-45 PoC Framework 16 ◄
b. Understand Civilian Risks. Military forces must comprehend the operational environment,
the relevant actors, the dynamics, and civilian vulnerabilities and threats. The operational
environment includes geographic, military/security, political, economic, social, informational, and
infrastructure (GPMESII) considerations that are relevant to PoC, and in many cases the
nonmilitary issues are more important than the military matters. Units will have to influence (and,
in many cases, should be influenced by) a wide range of other actors that may be loosely
categorized as adversaries, vulnerable civilians, bystanders, negative actors, and positive actors.
In many situations, the military will operate in support of other actors whose efforts are more
important for achieving PoC.
Additionally, it is important to comprehend dynamics such as the strategic guidance and
mandates, the strategic logic of perpetrators, the impact of operations, changing vulnerabilities and
threats that relate to PoC, emerging opportunities to enhance PoC, and changes in the operational
environment or among the actors. The situation will feature a complex and evolving relationship
between these variables, requiring good intelligence, efficient information management, and
effective current assessments. Although different PoC actors may be reluctant to exchange
information and thus compromise their neutrality, confidentiality, or operational security, it may
be possible to develop formal and informal information-sharing mechanisms that improve PoC.
This principle and the related tasks are discussed in greater detail in Chapter 2.
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This framework differs from that in the original PoC Military Reference Guide in two ways. First, it has three
fundamental components (Understand Civilian Risks, Protect Civilians During Operations, and Shape a Protective
Environment), rather than the five principles used in the first edition. Second, it includes four new tasks (Understand
Civilian Vulnerabilities and Threats, Understand the PoC Strategy, Secure Vulnerable Civilians, and Support the
Political Settlement).
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