Uncharted Territory: Humanitarian Engagement with PSCs

One under-explored facet of the rise of PSCs is their impact on humanitarian action and the delivery of humanitarian aid. This impact is threefold: first, PSCs may directly impact the humanitarian situation of populations in crisis zones: they control checkpoints and populated areas, they contribute to violence or handle people in vulnerable situations such as migrants and refugees. Second, humanitarian organisations are now widely contracting private security actors to secure their staff, assets and operations. This recent evolution may not only blur the perception of humanitarian organisations as neutral actors but also create risks for the people they assist, when poorly vetted or trained security contractors abuse their power. Finally in some contexts, humanitarian actors need to negotiate with PSCs for acceptance and access.

Time: 14:00 – 15:30

Panelists: 

• David Michalski, Special Advisor, Sahan Global
• Patrick Somxaysana Vilayleck, Operations Manager, Centre of Competence on Humanitarian Negotiations
• Béatrice Godefroy, Public Policy Engagement Director, ICoCA Advisory Group
• Yurii Khomchenko, Humanitarian Affairs Officer, United Nations OCHA
• Gregory Beattie, Global Operations & Plans Manager, IDG Security

Moderator: Vincent Bernard, Senior Policy Advisor, ICoCA

Venue: Fédération des Enterprises Romandes Genève, Rue de Saint-Jean 98, 1201 Geneva