Health in Harm's Way: Humanitarian Space for Health NGOs in Afghanistan and Pakistan
This panel discussion reviewed the experience of country directors of a medical NGO that is working in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Issues discussed included the militarization of aid, maintaing neutrality in a conflict zone, and balancing advocacy for programs with the safetly of assets and personnel on the ground.
In recent years, concern has grown about shrinking humanitarian space for health as well as other aid programs. NGOs have had to contend with attacks from insurgent groups that see political advantage in attacks on health workers, and from conventional militaries that either do not respect medical neutrality or use health operations as a means to achieve a military advantage. NGOs have themselves been charged with departing from their humanitarian mission when they become engaged in development activities that support a government plan. This panel discussion reviewed the experience of country directors of a medical NGO that is working in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Issues discussed included the militarization of aid, maintaing neutrality in a conflict zone, and balancing advocacy for programs with the safetly of assets and personnel on the ground.
Speakers
- Robert Lankenau
Afghanistan Country Director, International Medical Corps - Jehangir Ali Khan
Pakistan Country Director, International Medical Corps - Steven Hansch, Respondent
Relief International - Leonard Rubenstein, Moderator
Chair, Health and Peacebuilding Working Group, U.S. Institute of Peace
