contribution of military engineers to humanitarian engineering
DESCRIPTION
Presentation delivered at the Year of Humanitarian Engineering Workshop in Melbourne, 1 December 2011. Presented by Dechlan EllisTRANSCRIPT
2011 Humanitarian Engineering Conference
“Contribution of Military Engineers to Humanitarian Engineering”
Dechlan Ellis
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne 1 December 2011
Presentation Aim Share experiences and lessons about the contribution of military engineers to humanitarian engineering Scope 1. Humanitarian engineering & military role 2. Case Study 1 – Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Programme (AACAP)
3. Case Study 2 - Afghanistan
Military Engineering vs Humanitarian Engineering?
Natural Disaster Emergencies
Humanitarian Relief System
• So what? Cooperation essential!
Why use the military?
• Speed of response • Resources / manpower • Capability / skills • Ability to operate in high risk
environment
Logistics
Supplies / Materiel
Medical
Engineering
Communications
Civil – Military Cooperation
Security
Humanitarian Engineering in Armed Conflict zones
Complex Emergencies – Humanitarian Engineering in a
dangerous environment
• Purpose - improve environmental health conditions within remote Aboriginal communities.
• Joint Initiative - FaHCSIA, DoHA and Australian Army
• Implemented - PM Hon John Howard 14 Nov 96 • Focus Areas:
– Construction – Training – Health Care
Case Study 1: Army-Aboriginal Community Assistance Program (AACAP)
AACAP - Construction
AACAP - Training
AACAP – Health Care
CASE STUDY 2: AFGHANISTAN
AUSTRALIAN MISSION STABILISE THE GOVERNMENT OF
AFGHANISTAN SO THAT THE COUNTRY CANNOT BECOME A BASE FOR TERRORIST ORGANISATIONS.
IN 2006 AUSTRALIA DEPLOYED THE RECONSTRUCTION TASK FORCE TO URUZGAN, IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
AROUND 300,000 AFGHANS LIVE IN THE RIVER VALLEYS IN URUZGAN
TARIN KOWT POP. 110,000
“OUTSIDE THE WIRE” – 8 MONTH TOURS OF DUTY
CONDITIONS ARE HARD – STARK DESERTS…
IMPOSING MOUNTAINS,
A “GREEN ZONE” ,
THE IRRIGATED LAND IS FERTILE, GROWING WHEAT, CORN, FRUITS AND THE NOTORIOUS OPIUM POPPY.
COMPLEX URBAN TERRAIN
AND A COMPLICATED HUMAN PICTURE.
THE TALIBAN ARE ACTIVE THROUGHOUT URUZGAN. MULLAH OMAR REPORTEDLY CAME FROM DEHRAWUD IN THE WEST.
CONSTANT HIGH THREATS ARE DIRECT FIRE ATTACKS, INDIRECT ATTACKS AND IEDS AUSTRALIA HAS LOST 32 SOLDIERS KIA 213 HAVE BEEN WOUNDED (SUFFERED LIFE-CHANGING INJURIES)
ISAF COUNTER INSURGENCY STRATEGY (COIN)
SIMULTANEOUS LINES OF OPERATION:
1. SECURITY
2. GOVERNANCE
3. DEVELOPMENT
“THE PEOPLE ARE THE PRIZE”
ARMY ENGINEERS ARE CONSTRUCTING SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, TRAINING CENTRES, BRIDGES, PATROL BASES AND BAZAARS
ISAF in Afghanistan – Progress? Measure Under Taliban Rule Under ISAF
(at Jul 11) Number of schools in AFG
3,500 13,000
Teachers at work 20,000 160,000 Students 1.2M 8.2M Women in government Nil 69 Road projects completed
50km 2,900km paved 7,000km improved
Phone companies
1 4 (14.85M subscribers)
Electronic media outlets
Negligible 75 TV stations, 175 radio stations
Access to basic health care
8% 60% (within 2hrs walking distance)
Cereal production 1.5M Tonnes 5.6M Tonnes
CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH LOCAL TRIBAL LEADERS
ARMY ENGINEERS BUILD WHAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDED.
CAPACITY BUILDING
MENTORING
Summary
QUESTIONS?