Protection of Civilians Military Reference Guide, Second Edition Second Edition | Page 28

Protection of Civilians Military Reference Guide
c. Climatic issues include weather and seasonal changes. Temperature extremes can threaten
civilian well-being, particularly those that have been displaced by conflict or other causes.
Nomadic population groups often migrate as seasons change, and these patterns could contribute
to inter-group conflict, especially as populations grow, resources dwindle, and open lands shrink.
Rainy seasons could result in flooding that isolates civilian populations and prevents their access
to basic needs and services.
d. Natural disasters including earthquakes, droughts, hurricanes, and tsunamis threaten
civilians and the aftermath of these disasters can result in conflict when populations displace or
resources are scarce. Civilians may also have increased vulnerability to disease and other post-
event effects. Manmade environmental problems, particularly pollution, can jeopardize civilian
well-being and limit their access to essential needs such as water.
e. These geographical factors can also affect the operational capability of military forces, their
partners, and other helpful actors such as aid organizations. While military forces may be primarily
concerned with protecting civilians from violence, they may be called upon to assist with the
reduction of civilian suffering from other causes.
P OLITICAL F ACTORS
a. Military PoC efforts will be conducted within a political context in
which the military force is just one actor. Indeed, the military’s main role
often will be to support PoC efforts, rather than to lead them. Political
issues frequently underlie threats to civilians, and political structures and
entities can either enhance or undermine PoC. The local, sub-national,
national, regional, and international political contexts surrounding a
mission will shape PoC objectives, operations, and constraints.
Additionally, the failure to protect civilians can cause severe repercussions at all of these levels.
Political processes will be instrumental in establishing effective and enduring PoC.
b. Civilians can be at risk from conflict related to political issues such as boundaries,
sovereignty, ideology, and the struggle for political power between rival factions. Within these
factions, violence can occur between groups such as moderates and extremists with a potential
spillover effect that harms civilians. Some countries may be characterized by a powerful
centralized political authority, while in others political power largely resides with local actors.
Both situations create their own opportunities and challenges regarding PoC. Unofficial actors
such as business owners, tribal and religious leaders, and elders may have substantial political
clout.
c. Political conflict can be manifested in a variety of forms including insurgency, civil war,
terrorism, and political violence. Civilians may be at risk from incidental harm, or deliberately
targeted to support political objectives. They can be vulnerable both when the host government is
exceptionally powerful and when it is extremely fragile. Any international response will be shaped
by political discourse between nations (especially in the UN and regional organizations) and by
the domestic politics within these nations.
15