Non-Governmental Aid Organisations in Afghanistan Between Impartiality and Counterinsurgency

Abstract

[In a complex emergency as in Afghanistan, most non-governmental aid organisations interact with military actors on the basis of a clearly defined set of principles and rules. Independence, impartiality and acceptance are the prerequisite for them to gain safe access to people in need. However, as ISAF troops are using aid as a tactical means within a military-led counterinsurgency strategy, NGOs and their beneficiaries increasingly get targeted by insurgents. Militarised aid is also not effective to promote security. Without addressing the root causes of conflict, without bringing justice to the victims of violence and without maintaining human rights, any efforts towards peace and reintegration will be pointless.]