Humanitarian action: a Just action?

[William F. Owen]

But boundaries between military action and humanitarian action are getting thinner if not relegated to moral postures; as the distinction between military and civilian.

So humanitarian action includes the use of violence? Military action is always instrumental to policy. I fail to see how humanitarian aid can do the same, unless it can set forth a policy, in which case it is merely political - since it does not use violance.

The actual doctrine in Afghanistan is to convince civilian that they have to choose a political master rather than one other.

Is that a doctrine or is it's a policy. - the distinction is important.
IMO, the policy, being applied by the strategy, is to have a stable essentially pro-western government. I fully agree that the strategy could well use humanitarian aid, as an instrument - and where possible it should be done.

[Stan]

So humanitarian action includes the use of violence?

Hmmm, that depends I reckon. Our decade long humanitarian program includes the persistent use of explosives

[M-A Lagrange]

Humanitarian action does not include the use of violence. But can participate to protect populations by providing alternatives, especially economical alternatives, that can participate in destabilising an opponent.
In DRC, by providing alternative sources of energy, some NGO participate to the effort to undermine FDLR incomes linked to charcoal trafficking.
Like I said, the boundaries between humanitarian action and military action are getting thinner. I am not judging, I am making an observation.

I accept the go for it. I did it my self. But would that be humanitarian or military?

[Stan]

In DRC, by providing alternative sources of energy, some NGO participate to the effort to undermine FDLR incomes linked to charcoal trafficking.

We also tried that as an active military mission by supplying drinking water. Little did we know the Zairois were selling water to the refugees and we put a dent in their business (practices). It wasn't long before this humanitarian act went Tango Uniform with violence (at the water point).

There is simply no way you can remain (or claim) neutral(ity). It sounds good on paper with all those conventions, but the stark reality is people like the Congolese do not follow the same set of rules.

[M-A Lagrange]

Is that a doctrine or is it's a policy. - the distinction is important.

From Wilf: IMO, the policy, being applied by the strategy, is to have a stable essentially pro-western government. I fully agree that the strategy could well use humanitarian aid, as an instrument - and where possible it should be done.

Thanks for correcting me. As I said, professional are much more than welcome to comment.