This independent study was commissioned by the UN Integration Steering Group (ISG) to explore the impact of UN integration arrangements on humanitarian space. The study focused on three case studies of Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia, complemented by a desk review of the Central African Republic, Darfur (Sudan) and Liberia. The research for this study used both qualitative and (where available) quantitative data. Evidence suggests that UN integration arrangements have had both positive and negative impacts on humanitarian space.
The benefits of UN integration arrangements for humanitarian actors are most evident in relation to shared objectives among humanitarian, political and peacekeeping components, such as the protection of civilians and support to durable solutions for displaced populations. These shared objectives provide a common platform on which to build confidence.
The importance of overcoming the tensions and disagreements related to integration is underscored by the fact that, in Afghanistan, some in the NGO community have begun withdrawing from UN humanitarian coordination mechanisms, and some are threatening to do so in other contexts, most notably Somalia, unless UN integration arrangements are seen to be better protecting humanitarian space. This could have serious operational implications for UN agencies, which rely on NGO partners for delivery in these contexts.
Stakeholders should promote greater awareness and consistent implementation of policy provisions that seek to ensure that UN integration arrangements protect humanitarian space. They should also do much more to build confidence across the political, peacekeeping and humanitarian communities to help ensure that the potential benefits of UN integration for humanitarian operations are maximised, and the risks minimised. In addition:
- More efforts are needed to ensure that the context determines the design of UN integration arrangements. This should be facilitated through a more comprehensive and inclusive assessment of the context and risk factors.
- The benefits of integrated arrangements for humanitarian action largely depend on effective leadership at all levels of the UN system. Decisions and risks must be informed, shared and supported by all leaders at all levels of management, at headquarters and in the field.
- Current guidance on UN integration should be amended to clarify how, in practical terms, integration arrangements should take account of humanitarian principles and allow for the protection of humanitarian space. This amended guidance should also specify the need for more consistent and strategic engagement from UN humanitarian actors in the design, implementation, monitoring and review of UN integration arrangements.
This study sets out more detailed recommendations for managing the relationship between UN integration and humanitarian space in each of the areas analysed in the study.
