Guidelines on the Use of Military and Civil Defence Assets to Support United Nations Humanitarian Activities in Complex Emergencies, 2003

Published Date

The guidelines provide considerations for the use of international military and civil defence personnel, equipment, supplies and services in support of the United Nations (UN) in pursuit of humanitarian objectives in complex emergencies. It provides guidance on when these resources can be used, how they should be employed, and how UN agencies should interface, organize, and coordinate with international military forces with regard to the use of military and civil defence assets.

These guidelines consist of three parts:
1) The first part introduces key terms and definitions on the use of military and civil defence assets
2) The second part presents core principles, key concepts and operational standards for the use of military/civil defence resources in humanitarian assistance
3) The third part briefs on tasks and responsibilities of the affected State, the Humanitarian Coordinator, UN agencies, OCHA, the assisting state, the international military and civil defence commanders