objectives. Leaders must identify the most vital task and prioritize the list of tasks
to complete. The essential services are divided into two categories: immediate
humanitarian needs and long-term services.
Getting immediate humanitarian aid to the population will be challenging because
the population will more than likely be displaced from their homes and villages
following conflict. The aid must be transported to displaced personnel camps or
to centralized locations. Food, water, shelter, power, medical, and sanitation
support provides their own unique challenges and must be addressed by leaders
to provide the best support possible.
Leaders must work with the HN to ensure that they have the capacity to operate
and maintain the essential civil services when the mission is transferred from the
occupying force to the HN for the long-term support. There are many international organizations, partners, and non-government organizations (NGO) to
assist the HN with the long-term support mission.
There is risk associated with the essential services and humanitarian assistance
provided to the state and population. Leaders must be aware that belligerents
might take the opportunity to take advantage of recently provided services,
capitalize on the commodities, and use the improved infrastructure for freedom of
movement in support of their illegal activities.
Recommendation.
The lead occupying force must build partnership capacity with the international
players, regional actors, NGOs, and the host nation and parallel plan stability
operations. Prioritizing unity of effort to focus on establishing essential services
is key to a successful transition process from short-term to long-term objectives.
By establishing essential services, the international community will greatly assist
the HN in an effort to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the
economic and social impact of conflict.
Implications.
If the recommendation is not accepted, the involved stakeholders will have
difficulties in establishing essential services and transitioning follow-on short and
long-term objectives. The occupying force will jeopardize the opportunity to
provide essential services in a timely manner if it is not able to achieve unity of
effort among the stakeholders.
Event Description.
This lesson is based on readings and discussions in the U.S. Army War College
PKSOI elective course PS2219 – Peace & Stability Operations: Concepts and
Principles.
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