DataArt’s Post

There are certainly distinct roles and responsibilities between civilian NGO field workers and military personnel. NGOs typically focus on humanitarian aid, development, and peacebuilding efforts, often in conflict-affected regions. In contrast, the military's primary function is national defense and security. However, there may be some advantages to exploring opportunities for cross-training or sharing of certain skills and knowledge between these two groups. Both operate in challenging, high-stakes environments that require adaptability, logistical expertise, and the ability to navigate complex political and security dynamics. For example, NGO field workers could benefit from military-style training in areas like emergency medical response, safety and security protocols, or tactical communications. This could enhance their ability to work effectively and safely in volatile regions. Conversely, military personnel deployed on peacekeeping or stabilization missions could gain valuable insights from NGOs on cultural sensitivity, community engagement, and navigating the local political landscape. Additionally, regular dialogue and information-sharing between NGOs and the military could foster a greater mutual understanding's roles and operating procedures. This type of collaboration could lead to more coordinated, effective responses in crisis situations where both civilian and military actors may be involved. Of course, any such cross-training or skill-sharing initiatives would need to be approached carefully, with clear boundaries and safeguards to preserve the distinct identities and mandates of NGOs and the military. But the potential benefits in terms of improved capabilities, coordination, and mission effectiveness make it a worthwhile area for further exploration and discussion.

The Syria Civil Defence (SCD), more commonly known as The White Helmets, is approaching ten years of providing emergency assistance to #Syrians during the ongoing #conflict in that country. The achievements of this community-led group, which started out as six individuals who wanted to make a difference, are incredible! With the support of a wide range of donors, SCD has today grown into a 3,000 volunteer strong organization, that has helped save an estimated 127,000 lives to date.   This blog, which looks at what has made the SCD so successful, and highlights the importance of #LocallyLed partnerships, is absolutely fascinating. Read it here:   https://ow.ly/klNN50PSnOW

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) - 5 Facts About Gaza: 1. There are no safe places in Gaza. 2. People are dying because medical and humanitarian aid is being blocked.  3. Hospitals, health workers, and humanitarians are under attack. 4. All states supporting Israel’s prosecution of this war are morally and politically complicit. 5. We need an immediate and sustained ceasefire.

UNRWA, the UN agency tasked with aiding Palestinian refugees (and their decedents) in the Middle East should be shuttered. Israel revealed this weekend that it uncovered a 1/2 mile long strategic Hamas tunnel under UNRWA’s headquarters in Gaza. The tunnel housed a Hamas data center—servers, air conditioning, and living quarters—and it drew electricity directly from UNRWA above. UNRWA’s head stated “[UNRWA] did not know what is under its HQ” and these reports “merit an independent inquiry.” I call BS. No inquiry needed. To paraphrase Homer Simpson—in this house we obey the rules of physics. Sound moves in waves, which generate vibrations when they hit surfaces. Tunnel excavations cause loud noise and vibrations, which damage buildings above. These are facts—trust science. Tunnel digging also creates dust, insect infestations, and dislocates rats. These problems are more acute in urban areas, like Gaza City. NYers know this well after years of 2nd Ave subway construction. So do many Israelis—even in 2015, noises from Hamas boring was reported all the way in Israel. Somehow though, UNRWA officials directly above the tunnels didn’t hear a thing. They didn’t feel vibrations, breathe dust, or notice rats and insects. Maybe UNRWA officials were too distracted by weapons caches in their facilities to notice Hamas digging 500km of tunnels under their feet. Or maybe UNRWA was complicit. Hamas use of civilian infrastructure, including UNRWA sites, is widely reported. And UNRWA schools’ indoctrination of children with Hamas ideology is no secret. But recent revelation of UNRWA’s deep ties with Hamas is jarring. Over 1,000 UNRWA employees in Gaza are card carrying Hamas or PIJ members (~25% of its male employees—twice the rate of Gaza’s population). At least 12 UNRWA employees took part in the 10/7 atrocities. Other employees held Israeli hostages. Thousands more were sympathizers who celebrated 10/7. And Israel reported finding weapons in every UNRWA facility. How damning is the evidence? Even during a Gaza humanitarian crisis, when the aid agency would be most needed, most UNRWA donor states suspended funding, including: Australia, Austria, Canada, Estonia, the EU, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Holland, New Zealand, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, & the US. Israelis and innocent Gazans are victims of Hamas. Even after providing Hamas physical cover and proliferating its ideology, UNRWA still continues aiding Hamas. ~75% of Gaza aid currently ends up with Hamas, which it uses to tax and coerce Gazans. At best, UNRWA is incapable/unwilling to stop; at worst, it’s facilitating the funneling of aid to Hamas, rather than to civilians. As long as we entertain the fiction that UNRWA is a legitimate aid agency, we prevent creation of an uncorrupt alternative. We thus exacerbate and prolong the war. So for everyone’s sake, shut down UNRWA. Time is of the essence. #bringthemhomenow #standwithisrael #togetherwewillwin #defundunrwa

🤝 Since February 24, 2022, the European Union and its Member States allocated more than €77 billion to support Ukraine. East Europe Foundation has a long, fruitful cooperation with the EU. We are the EU’s framework partner in Ukraine. Thanks to the support of the EU and its Member States that we have managed to accomplish the following: ✅ Provide 328 microgrants for small businesses affected by Russia’s armed aggression in Ukraine; ✅ Provide grant support to about 70 NGOs to implement important projects to support both IDPs and their host communities with relocation and setting up in a new place; ✅ Launch an acceleration program for nongovernmental organizations to develop useful civic tech solutions; ✅ Conduct a series of trainings with mentoring support for displaced activists and NGOs; ✅ Develop 11 online training courses, some of them in partnership with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, all available on Zrozumilo! Online Educational Platform; ✅ Refurbish the State Emergency Service Training Center, which already welcomed 170 volunteer rescuers to various training events; ✅ Develop methodological materials and workshops for communities hosting internally displaced persons; and ✅ Conduct an educational campaign on safe behavior in case of CBRN hazards, which reached more than 11 million citizens. We sincerely thank the EU and its Member States for supporting Ukraine, for their trust and cooperation. ℹ️ According to the EU Council, the European Union and its Member States became one of the largest donors of humanitarian aid worldwide. They allocated  € 2.62 billion in humanitarian aid for civilians affected by the war alone. European Union in Ukraine Embassy of Denmark in Ukraine Посольство Німеччини в Києві / Deutsche Botschaft Kiew Ambassade de France en Ukraine

I am glad to share our latest viewpoint influenced by the Israel Defense Forces humanitarian aid mission to Türkiye following a series of devastating earthquakes, earlier this year. This viewpoint summarizes the model of work - operating within an abandoned local hospital, delivering care to patients through familiar infrastructure, in collaboration with local volunteers. Lessons from our multi-cultural multi-linguistic medical teams experience are also shared. #medicine #humanitariancrisis #humanitarianaid #humanitarianefforts #olivebranch #resilience #earthquakes #humanity #globalunity #healthforall 🌍 Check it out at👇🏻

Information warfare, scarcity and drought, transitional military regimes, and other factors are posed to leave millions of people in need of humanitarian aid this year. Read about these seven factors and how humanitarian workers can better respond to them. #SITGrad #SITGraduateInstitute

Information warfare, scarcity and drought, transitional military regimes, and other factors are posed to leave millions of people in need of humanitarian aid this year. Read about these seven factors and how humanitarian workers can better respond to them. #SITGrad #SITGraduateInstitute