Preventing Politicization of Humanitarian Operations: A Case Study on the Integrated Assessment for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM)

Abstract

This paper examines the extent to which the institutionalization of risk analysis in the integrated assessment of UN integrated missions can prevent the politicization of humanitarian operations. Most studies regarding the impact of UN integrated missions on humanitarian operations were conducted before the release of the Integrated Assessment and Planning Handbook (IAP Handbook) in 2013. The handbook contains a checklist of humanitarian considerations intended to minimize the politicization of humanitarian operations. This paper reviews the process of the integrated assessment for the establishment of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) from the viewpoint of the checklist. The case study on UNSOM suggests two implications. First, a careful risk analysis of negative conditions for integration would contribute to minimizing the politicization of humanitarian operations. In the UNSOM assessment process, the Secretariat did not recommend a fully integrated UN mission, as it would negatively affect the relationship with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) . It demonstrates that the checklist, which includes a question on considering the relationship with NGOs, has a certain effect in minimizing the politicization of humanitarian operations at the Secretariat level. Second, there is a possibility that the Security Council may disregard the risk analysis conducted by the Secretariat for security and political reasons. The Security Council decided on the establishment of a more integrated mission (UNSOM) to contribute to political stabilization in Somalia as opposed to the Secretariat’ s recommendation. This shows that the balancing act between humanitarian, security, and political requirements at the Security Council level is yet to be resolved.