Strengthening the Partnership: Improving Military Coordination with Relief Agencies and Allies in Humanitarian Operations

Many humanitarian interventions led and supported by the United States go beyond simple disaster relief and include such difficult tasks as protecting refugees, securing humanitarian aid, and restoring civil order. The U.S. Air Force often plays an important role in such complex contingency operations. MR-1185-AF explores how the military might improve coordination with relief agencies and with European allies in such operations. It examines the dynamics of complex contingency operations, provides an overview of the relief community, delineates barriers to better cooperation, discusses the European contribution, and recommends steps the military might take to improve coordination in future crises. Steps include improving military familiarization with key relief organizations humanitarian advisor, establishing more centers of excellence, and bringing relief organizations into the planning process.