ABSTRACT
During the war of the 1990s in Sierra Leone, NGOs were finding it nearly impossible to fulfill their missions in Sierra Leone because of the lack of security. In failed-state emergencies, the lack of security greatly hampers the ability of NGOs to complete their humanitarian missions. To succeed, Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in countries like Sierra Leone must have the backing of military forces such as the British or Australians in the East Timor intervention of 1999, which were perceived by all parties as reputable, professional and effective. Most UN peacekeeping forces lack these professional requisites. The quality of the military force is thereby crucial for NGO success. The Sierra Leone and East Timor interventions highlight the need for a deeper analysis of UN peacekeeping reform efforts. Moreover, humanitarian NGOs, as noted by Thomas Weiss, have experienced a 'loss of innocence' regarding partnerships between robust peacekeepers and humanitarian agencies. The necessity of collaboration has become all too clear.
