ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the characterisation of private military and security companies (PMSCs) and their identities, and then discusses the characteristics of humanitarianism and the humanitarian space. Operating transnationally and offering military, police or security services ranging from logistics, training and consultancy to intelligence and border control to physical protection in armed conflicts, these companies are not only being increasingly contracted by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and intergovernmental organisations (IGOs), which have traditionally provided assistance; they have also started to specialise in providing humanitarian and development services themselves. People conducted a content analysis of the websites of 16 PMSCs1 and of the publications of their international industry association, the international stability operations association (ISOA). In the democratic republic of the Congo (DRC) the company implemented 'a successful malaria program' which involved 'an antimalaria chemoprophylaxis program', 'ongoing awareness and education programs', training for 'local staff on early malaria identification' and 'awareness and prevention programs for different community groups'.
