ABSTRACT
The humanitarian community therefore felt it necessary to examine the wide-ranging issues arising from civil-military relations. One of the most cost-efficient and timely ways in which the speed and quality of delivery could be assured, and risks to the humanitarian supply chain in times of disaster mitigated, would be through an improvement in civil, military coordination. This chapter focuses on military assistance in the provision of relief. All humanitarian action, including civil-military coordination for humanitarian purposes in complex emergencies, must be in accordance with the overriding core principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality. There are a number of initiatives within the United Nations (UN) system that focus on preparing humanitarian personnel on civil-military issues and practical liaison arrangements in complex emergencies. This includes the UN CMCoord induction courses, organized by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid's (OCHA's) Military and Civil Defence Unit (MCDU).
