Contribution of Military Engineers to Humanitarian Engineering

2011 Humanitarian Engineering Conference “Contribution of Military Engineers to Humanitarian Engineering�

Dechlan Ellis

Etihad Stadium, Melbourne 1 December 2011

2011 Year of Humanitarian Engineering

Presentation Aim Share experiences and lessons about the contribution of military engineers to humanitarian engineering Scope 1. Humanitarian engineering & military role 2. Case Study 1 – Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Programme (AACAP) 3. Case Study 2 - Afghanistan

Military Engineering vs Humanitarian Engineering?

Natural Disaster Emergencies

Humanitarian Relief System

• So what? Cooperation essential!

Why use the military?

• Speed of response • Resources / manpower • Capability / skills • Ability to operate in high risk environment

Logistics

Supplies / Materiel

Medical

Engineering

Communications

Civil – Military Cooperation

Security

Humanitarian Engineering in Armed Conflict zones

Complex Emergencies – Humanitarian Engineering in a dangerous environment

Case Study 1: Army-Aboriginal Community Assistance Program (AACAP) • Purpose - improve environmental health conditions within remote Aboriginal communities.

• Joint Initiative - FaHCSIA, DoHA and Australian Army • Implemented - PM Hon John Howard 14 Nov 96 • Focus Areas: – Construction – Training – Health Care

AACAP - Construction

AACAP - Training

AACAP – Health Care

CASE STUDY 2: AFGHANISTAN

AUSTRALIAN MISSION STABILISE THE GOVERNMENT OF AFGHANISTAN SO THAT THE COUNTRY CANNOT BECOME A BASE FOR TERRORIST ORGANISATIONS.

IN 2006 AUSTRALIA DEPLOYED THE RECONSTRUCTION TASK FORCE TO URUZGAN, IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

AROUND 300,000 AFGHANS LIVE IN THE RIVER VALLEYS IN URUZGAN

TARIN KOWT POP. 110,000

“OUTSIDE THE WIRE” – 8 MONTH TOURS OF DUTY

CONDITIONS ARE HARD – STARK DESERTS…

IMPOSING MOUNTAINS,

A “GREEN ZONE” ,

THE IRRIGATED LAND IS FERTILE, GROWING WHEAT, CORN, FRUITS AND THE NOTORIOUS OPIUM POPPY.

COMPLEX URBAN TERRAIN

AND A COMPLICATED HUMAN PICTURE.

THE TALIBAN ARE ACTIVE THROUGHOUT URUZGAN. MULLAH OMAR REPORTEDLY CAME FROM DEHRAWUD IN THE WEST.

CONSTANT HIGH THREATS ARE DIRECT FIRE ATTACKS, INDIRECT ATTACKS AND IEDS AUSTRALIA HAS LOST 32 SOLDIERS KIA 213 HAVE BEEN WOUNDED (SUFFERED LIFE-CHANGING INJURIES)

ISAF COUNTER INSURGENCY STRATEGY (COIN) SIMULTANEOUS LINES OF OPERATION: 1. SECURITY 2. GOVERNANCE 3. DEVELOPMENT “THE PEOPLE ARE THE PRIZE”

ARMY ENGINEERS ARE CONSTRUCTING SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, TRAINING CENTRES, BRIDGES, PATROL BASES AND BAZAARS

ISAF in Afghanistan – Progress?

Measure

Under Taliban Rule

Under ISAF (at Jul 11)

Number of schools in AFG

3,500

13,000

Teachers at work

20,000

160,000

Students

1.2M

8.2M

Women in government

Nil

69

Road projects completed

50km

2,900km paved 7,000km improved

Phone companies

1

4 (14.85M subscribers)

Electronic media outlets

Negligible

75 TV stations, 175 radio stations

Access to basic health care

8%

60% (within 2hrs walking distance)

Cereal production

1.5M Tonnes

5.6M Tonnes

CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH LOCAL TRIBAL LEADERS

ARMY ENGINEERS BUILD WHAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDED.

CAPACITY BUILDING

MENTORING

Summary

QUESTIONS?