Canadian Consortium on Human Security
January 2007 I Vol.5, Issue 1
Reports, Analysis, and Data
1. Reports
Reconstruction National Integrity System Survey Afghanistan 2007
Delesgues, Lorenzo, and Yama Torabi (2007)
Synopsis: An analysis of Afghanistan’s Reconstruction National Integrity System examines the “interactions between a selected group of Afghan institutions” that foster corruption.ACBAR Brief to the UN Security Council on the Situation in Afghanistan
Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief (2006)
Synopsis: Insecurity has severely inhibited the capability of aid agencies to function and must become the primary objective for the international community. However, military intervention alone will not suffice; security hinges on a greater emphasis by international donors on the construction of Afghani government institutions.Providing Aid in Insecure Environments: Trends in Policy and Operations
Stoddard, Abby, Adele Harmer, and Katherine Haver (2006)
Overseas Development Institute, Humanitarian Policy Group Report, London, UK
Synopsis: Results of a two-year examination on the provision of aid in insecure environments provide data on violence against aid workers and an analysis of its effect on aid agencies’ organizational structure and aid delivery operations.Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (2006)
Synopsis: In accordance with a 2005 report by the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission entitled “A Call for Justice”, this three year action plan outlines a strategy for the Government of Afghanistan to help remedy injustices and divisions resulting from conflicts during the post-Taliban period.The Challenges of Stabilization and Reconstruction: How to Improve International Cooperation
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung / NATO
Synopsis: Delegates from governments, NATO, and NGOs present differing perspectives on the relationship between NATO and NGOs in several countries including Afghanistan.Report of the Security Council Mission to Afghanistan 11 to 16 November 2006
United Nations Security Council (2006)
Synopsis: International assistance to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom successfully thwarted a major humanitarian crisis; an analysis of this experience reveals many lessons in the provision of aid in similar situations and in general.Security with a Human Face: Challenges and Responsibilities
Tadjbakhsh, Shahrbanou. Ed. (2004)
Afghanistan National Human Development Report, United Nations Development Programme
Synopsis: Persistence of insecurity in Afghanistan stems from the international community focusing on protecting the state from internal and external threats; international efforts need to be redirected towards ensuring the security and basic welfare of individuals and eliminating conflict-fuelling, “horizontal inequalities” across different groups of people.Foreign Affairs, January/February, 2007
Synopsis: In order to salvage the international effort in Afghanistan, the United States must radically alter its strategy; this includes increasing the military and reconstruction expenditure and adjusting its approach to Pakistan whose frontier continues to shelter Taliban insurgents.NATO’s Afghan Struggle: Build, and Fight Taliban
New York Times, January 13, 2007
Synopsis: The chief problem with NATO’s provision of humanitarian relief can be exemplified by their destruction of orchards, walls, and houses in order to secure a river crossing for the construction of a $5 million bridge which, according to locals, primarily serves ISAF troop movements. The lack of coordination between NATO’s combat operations, it relief efforts, and the activities by NGOs undermines NATO’s counter-insurgency.Aiding Peace? The Role of NGOs in Armed Conflict
Lynne Rienner Publishers, Boulder, CO
Synopsis: This book examines the impact of NGOs on conflict and peacebuilding as well as the determinants of an NGO’s ability to operate within and affect conflict. Synopsis: International forces under Operation Enduring Freedom have failed to establish security in Kandahar, and their eradication of poppy production has incited local animosity towards international forces and support for the Taliban; as a result, the Canadian military’s role in Kandahar will be much more violent than its preceding role in Kabul, contrary to statements by the Canadian Government. Canada’s mission must be more clearly defined and must recognize that development and security are mutually dependent.Fighting for Humanitarian Space: NGOs in Afghanistan
Journal of Military and Security Studies, Fall 2006, Vol. 9, Issue 1
Synopsis: Afghanistan will test the ability of military aid programmes to coexist with neutral NGOs. This paper explores, from an NGO perspective, the problems of their security, concerns about militarization of aid, and their “scapegoating” by the international community for humanitarian failures.Countering Afghanistan’s Insurgency: No Quick Fixes
International Crisis Group (2006)
Asia Report No. 123. Brussels: International Crisis Group
Synopsis: Quelling the insurgency requires a change in strategy including the dedication of more resources and an emphasis on providing Afghanis with a credible alternative to Taliban rule through the establishment of non-corrupt and legitimate governing institutions.Afghanistan and Threats to Human Security
Social Science Research Council, New York
Synopsis: Afghanistan has been a battleground between warring factions sponsored by competing foreign interests whose disregard for reconstruction and the development of proper institutions has rendered Afghanistan a failed state. The consequent human insecurity threatens the United States and other countries by propagating terrorism and narcotics.ABC News / BBC World Service Poll: Afghanistan: Where Things Stand
ABC News / BBC World Service (2006)
Synopsis: A joint ABC News and BBC World Service poll gauges Afghanis’ expectations on improvement, the effectiveness of government, their local security, and their support for the Taliban.Afghan Public Opinion Amidst Rising Violence
Synopsis: An opinion poll of Afghanis reveals their disappointment with the pace of reconstruction and their preference of economic aid over military assistance. Many perceive the central government as corrupt, distrust the Taliban and Pakistan but appreciate efforts by NGOs.Afghanistan: IDP Settlements and Population Estimates
Synopsis: This map displays the location and population of Internally Displaced People settlements in Afghanistan. Synopsis: This map displays the location of ISAF Provincial Reconstruction Teams as of November 15, 2006; links to information from different periods and similar maps are also available.NGOs in Afghanistan fear backlash over NATO’s humanitarian role
Synopsis: NGOs operating in Afghanistan advocate for ISAF forces to cease providing aid.Human Security key to Afghan future, aid agencies advise Security Council
Norwegian Refugee Council (2006)
Synopsis: The Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief believes the international community’s approach to Afghanistan is flawed; new resources ought to be allocated solely to improving human security and not to the “Global War on Terror” (GWOT) national security agenda.Afghanistan Called ‘Key Priority’ for NATO
Washington Post, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006, Page A14
Synopsis: NATO members label Afghanistan a “key priority” and decrease restrictions on the role of their forces there.Afghanistan: Humanitarian work is the task of aid workers, not soldiers, Security Council team told
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, IRIN News
Synopsis: Military provision of aid renders aid workers and soldiers indistinguishable to Afghanis according to the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief.Can the battle for hearts and minds be won?
Synopsis: The Canadian Military is conducting a “three block war” strategy combining military offences with peacekeeping and humanitarian work, but this strategy has been criticized as being ineffective at producing long-term reconstruction and as an impediment to the ability of civilian NGOs to operate neutrally.
