UNPROFOR ambulances in Croatia (159206 c UN/DPI/S. Whitehouse)

The increase in intra-State conflicts over the last decade has tested the capacity of the United Nations system and non-governmental relief organizations to respond, and there are at present more humanitarian workers in conflict zones than there have ever been before.

At the same time, warring parties increasingly have been flouting international humanitarian and human rights law. Providing humanitarian assistance to civilians has become a dangerous job for relief workers.

Between 1 January 1992 and 31 August 1998, 153 staff members lost their lives and 43 were taken hostage or kidnapped; since August 1998, the numbers have risen to 198 and 240, respectively. Hundreds more have been taken hostage, or have fallen victim to violent security incidents. In intrastate conflicts, where the political and strategic objectives of parties often are the expulsion or extermination of an ethnic, religious or political group, even the provision of the most basic needs of the population may be perceived as a direct interference with the war effort. As a result, humanitarian agencies, although pursuing neutral objectives enshrined in international law, are frequently perceived as partisan obstacles to achieving military goals. The rising number of casualties among UN civilian personnel serving in conflict areas over the past two and a half years is a sad testament to this development.

Both the General Assembly and the Security Council have focused particular attention on the issue of the security of United Nations and associated personnel The primary responsibility under international law for the protection of such staff lies with host Governments; however, the reality on the ground is that Governments may not be able or unwilling to maintain the necessary order in certain areas. The Office of the United Nations Security Coordinator has developed a comprehensive security management training programme for all United Nations system staff. The programme consists of major components, including, security management training for all officials responsible for security. OCHA, in support of UNSECOORD, Through the IASC are currently finalizing a joint report that makes recommendations to strengthen UN/NGO collaboration at the field level involving use of common communications, joint security planning, information sharing and context analysis. One of the biggest obstacles is to ensure funding ensured from United Nations regular budget for field offices.