ABSTRACT

Title	The Do No Harm Handbook
Author	CDA Collaborative Learning Projects
Date	30 November 2004
Type	Handbook
Length	23

Location

Room F35 Cabinet 43 - 17/C (IOs)

Abstract

The Do No Harm project was started in the early 90s by a number of NGOs. It seeks to get a handle on the complexity of conflict environments, to highlight how decisions may affect inter-group relationships and to think through different ways of doing things to have better effects. It gives a tool to find better ways to provide assistance. The Handbook puts forward an analytical framework as a tool for mapping the interactions of assistance and conflict. It proposes a 7-step process: Step 1: - Understand the Context of Conflict Step 2: - Analyse Dividers and Tensions Step 3: - Analyse Connectors and Local Capacities for Peace Step 4: - Analyse the Assistance Programme Step 5: - Analyse the Programme's Impact on Dividers & Connectors (using concepts of Resource Transfers and Implicit Ethical Messages) Step 6: - Consider/Generate Programming Options Step 7: - Test Options and Redesign Project The remainder of the Handbook amplifies aspects of these steps providing advice on identifying relationships, unpacking the context and analysing interactions. Notes are provided on the types of resource transfers that may take place and their likely impact, the impact of implicit ethical messages is also discussed - the emphasis being on how actions can reinforce or undermine the impact that we are trying to have (Comment: this is very similar to some of the ideas that lie behind Info Ops). It also provides sections on Human Rights and on Gender Issues. The final section highlights some possible `indicators' for assessing the impact of an assistance programme on conflict; both negative and positive. Comment: Although focused on humanitarian assistance the insights within this project are based on real on the ground experience and have direct relevance to much of our military activity in a stabilisation situation. They should form part of our military analysis, the assessment of options and subsequent review. They are particularly relevant to QIPs and to other hearts and minds activity. I have drawn from this for the CAWG planning guide.

D M A COUZENS

SO1 Jt GM

21 Aug 07

No 78

200708-21-U-Abstract-CDA-Do No Harm Handbook

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