CIAO DATE: 06/2009
December 2008
Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
This paper explores the increased outsourcing of humanitarian and, in particular, development services in conflict and post-conflict settings to private, profit-seeking companies that operate according to commercial principles. In integrated post-conflict missions, humanitarian aid and reconstruction and development tasks (including state building) now take place more or less in parallel. Arguably, governments, donors, NGOs and commercial companies are increasingly becoming part of the same political project: to assist countries in the transition from war to peace. The blurring of the lines between war and post-war settings has expanded the scope of activity by commercial actors. On the positive side, commercial companies seem to score better on efficiency and may contribute to a more professional humanitarian and development sector. On the negative side, the ability of governments to monitor and control private contractors is limited, while at the same time, allegations of corruption have sometimes been raised. Furthermore, profit-maximising companies are not likely to abide by or feel committed to established concepts and principles of humanitarian action in the provision of their services to the same extent as more traditional actors. If this is the case, the long-term legitimacy of the international community’s commitment in war and post-war settings may suffer serious damage.
Resource link: Empowering commercial actors: Outsourcing of humanitarian and development services in international peace operations and post-war settings [PDF] - 2.0M