The U.S. military has more than one pot to draw from for the program. The most common source of funds is the Commander’s Emergency Response Program. A 2009 CERP manual states that condolence payments are not compensation for loss but “can be paid to express sympathy and to provide urgent humanitarian relief.” For most Kunduz…
But unmentioned in all the the stories of military triumphs is a problem that Western officials behind the campaign to defeat the Islamic State tend to downplay: civilian casualties… …Sahr Muhammedally, senior program manager for the Middle East Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), a nongovernmental agency that works to prevent civilian casualties, says that…
On Monday, a coalition airstrike allegedly struck a camp for displaced Yemenis. Human Rights Watch said the attack “heightened concerns” that Saudi Arabia and its partners were not sufficiently protecting civilians.“The policy needs to come from the top – from Saudi political and military leadership – that protecting civilians is a priority. That then stretches down the chain of command,”…
The crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR) has resulted in more than 300,000 refugees and over 630,000 internally displaced people as of June 2014. Thousands of people have been killed. The international community turned to African and European forces and the United Nations to deploy troops to stabilise the country and stop the violence….…
Marla Keenan discusses CIVIC’s current work and founding on Katherine Albreacht’s Talk Radio with a Freedom Twist. Listen to the Entire Interview
On May 20th, 2014, the International Peace Institute, together with the governments of Austria and Norway, hosted a seminar that facilitated an exchange and sharing of experiences and best practices among organizations, both at the conceptual and operational level, regarding protecting civilians. It also addressed emerging issues in protecting civilians in peace operations—such as civilian…
Originally published in Rolling Stone As U.S. drones continue to rain Hellfire missiles down from the Yemen sky, another region of the world is undergoing a transition that could have a significant impact on how America approaches its counter-terrorism policies in the coming years. The citizens of Mali elected ex-Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubacar Keita as…
AOAV caught up with Sarah Holewinski, Executive Director of the Center for Civilians in Conflict, to talk about her organisation’s work and the importance of documenting civilian harm. Source: In focus: Sarah Holewinski on her work at the Center for Civilians in Conflict | AOAV
A study conducted by a US military adviser has found that drone strikes in Afghanistan during a year of the protracted conflict caused 10 times more civilian casualties than strikes by manned fighter aircraft. The new study, referred to in an official US military journal, contradicts claims by US officials that the robotic planes are…