NP Progress Report 2014/2015
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Nonviolent Peaceforce Transforming the world’s response to conflict Nonviolent Pe ac e force Progress Report | July 2014-June 2015 Tiffany Easthom, country director in South Sudan; Mukesh Kapila, vice chair, board of directors; Message from leadership Peter Moszynski, journalist; and Doris Mariani, CEO, travel via riverboat in South Sudan. Dear Friends, In June 2015, the number of forcibly displaced people around the globe rose Where we work | 4 to an unprecedented 59.5 million. Demand for increased civilian security on the What we do | 5 ground is greater than ever and new approaches need to be scaled up to safeguard Building peace | 6 human lives and dignity. Nonviolent Peaceforce is prepared. Our newly adopted strategy will enhance civilian participation in peace processes, build local protection Upholding peace | 8 capacities and advocate for nonviolent responses to conflict. Living peace | 10 Advocating peace | 12 Despite facing serious challenges working in conflict-affected countries, it has been a rewarding year for Nonviolent Peaceforce. Our work in South Sudan, Myanmar Financials | 14 and the Philippines continues to make a difference in enhancing community security. Board and senior staff | 15 Our pilot project in Ukraine introduced unarmed civilian protection for the first time Institutional donors | 16 in that country. Individual donors | 18 And, we are thrilled to let you know that our newest program, funded by the European Union, is just beginning. In partnership with Madani, Syrian Civil Coalition Who does the work and Cure Violence, we will build the capacity of Syrian civil society organizations to reduce violence and increase safety in local communities. Read more about this initiative here. Working alongside our partners, NP’s field staff are offering hope, dignity, safety and a 220 call to action. total staff Thanks to you, our work is gaining recognition. In June 2015, the UN High-Level Inde- representing 26 nationalities pendent Panel on Peace Operations, concluded “Unarmed strategies must be at the forefront of UN efforts to protect civilians.” Internationally, leaders are taking note and realizing what you and I have known for many years: only nonviolence will foster lasting peace. We are excited for what the future of Nonviolent Peaceforce holds, and look forward to continuing to promote peace with the support of our dedicated Board of Directors, % % staff, committed partners and you. 58 42 With gratitude, 208 live and work in conflict-affected communities Doris Mariani Adele Lennig 147 73 Nonviolent Peaceforce Nonviolent Peaceforce are nationals are international Chief Executive Officer Board Chair of the staff host countries 12 global support Where we work European Office Ukraine U.S. Office Brussels, Belgium Minneapolis Advocacy Office Syria New York City Myanmar Philippines South Sudan Copyright © Free Vector Maps.com What we do Unarmed protection field By fielding unarmed, international, civilian teams to conflict zones This multi-layered model* shows four layers of physical protection while gaining support for unarmed protection measures, NP: from imminent violence. NP falls in all four layers, however, the primary protects civilians unarmed protection by NP lies in the core area (red) that also includes armed protection by the military, the police, and UN peacekeepers. builds peace advocates at the United Nations Why we do it Enabling conditions More than 1.5 billion people live in countries affected by repeated cycles of violence, according to the World Bank; the vast majority of causalities are civilians. The number of people forcibly displaced because of conflict Philippines Enjoyment or persecution exceeded 59 million in 2015, according to the of human rights United Nations; this is the largest number since World War II. Provision Our unique approach of basic necessities In partnership with our stakeholders, we add value through: Proactive Engagement Physical protection Monitoring from Capacity Development imminent violence Relationship Building *model developed by Paul D. Williams Guiding principles in Enhancing Protection of Civilians in Peace Operations (2010) Non-violence Non-partisanship Key sources of guidance for our work: International Humanitarian Primacy of local actors Law, Human Rights Law, Refugee Law, UN Resolutions, Charter of the Civilian-to-civilian action United Nations (Ch. 1, art. 2:3-4). Copyright © Free Vector Maps.com BUILDING PEACE Learning methods of peace In remote areas such as found in Myanmar, there is a particular need of economic development, but for this to happen, peace is needed. In partnership with the Shalom Foundation, NP conducted training of a selected group of civilians from various townships in how to monitor ceasefire agreements. Participants also shared issues of concern among communities they represented, which allowed each project to prioritize and streamline monitoring efforts. The civilian monitors will support the on-going efforts of the Ethnic Armed Groups (EAGs) and Government of Myanmar to protect the More civilians, while NP continues to train new candidates. information on Myanmar “This training helped me understand the process of getting there [to development] and how I as a village ceasefire monitor can play a part in this process,” — Trainee in Myanmar PEACE 14,165 “…even the visits, even the mere presence of these people [NP monitors] the number of people helps. We did not know we have rights. How many times in the past have in conflict-affected communities we been taken for granted by our rulers? We underestimated ourselves. NP trained in unarmed civilian protection But now we also re-discovered strength and confidence.” during the 12-month period — Local Philippine leader ending in June. UPHOLDING PEACE “As a mother it is your instinct to protect your children and that kind of care you apply to other children because they are the most vulnerable.” — Wanfatma Marrack, Sulu, Mindanao More A mother’s story information PEACE on the Wanfatma “Fatma” Marrack is a mother of six and has been a Philippines national civilian peace worker for NP’s child protection program in Sulu, Mindanao since 2011. As a mother, the work of protecting children strongly resonates with her. Fatma gives community orientations on the United Nation’s Grave Child Rights Violations which include child recruitment as soldiers, sexual violence, abduction and attacks on schools. Community members learn how to recognize, report and monitor abuse against children 65 living in conflict. Monitored and reported incidents During these orientations she listens to the voices of women, of Grave Child Rights Violations, with children and those who don’t usually have a chance to speak up. One of the most important aspects of her work is understanding and responding to the concerns of community members. Fatma 43 believes that NP’s awareness raising has been a big factor for children being better protected in the community. verified cases of violations during the 12-month period Fatma is working to protect her own children’s future and the ending in June in the Philippines. future of all children in her community. LIVING PEACE Reuniting families On December 15th, 2013, conflict engulfed South Sudan and the country was split along ethnic lines. Families fleeing the violence were torn apart. Many children and parents ended up in ‘‘Thanks for finding our loving father and different regions of the country never knowing if they’d see one reuniting us with him. As we lost our loving another again. Nonviolent Peaceforce began working to identify mother, we were hopeless. But now you found unaccompanied children in the Bor region with the goal of returning our father and gave us hope to live on with him.’’ them to their parents. This required movement from government — 14-year old boy reunited with his family after 18 months of separation “I never thought I would see my children ever again, neither did I think my children were still alive. I am the happiest man in the world and thank you humanitarians for making this possible. I will forever be grateful.” — Father See one story of reunification controlled territory to opposition territory. NP worked closely with PEACE local authorities, UNICEF and Save the Children to ensure success. In July 2015, NP staff boarded a UNICEF plane and accompanied 18 children on a flight to Akobo where their parents were eagerly waiting to see them again. It was an extremely emotional journey 676 for the families — marked by anxious excitement, relief and finally the number of children reunited unbridled joy and love. After a year and a half, these families were with their families in South Sudan together again. (Click here to read more about this story.) during a 12-month period ending in June. As the news of successful family reunifications spread,more parents are seeking help and NP, along with its partner organizations, are continuing to ensure the safe return of children to their parents. ADVOCATING PEACE Mel Duncan, Director of Advocacy and Outreach, with Peace Operations Review Panel member, Dr. Rima Salah. “Unarmed strategies must be at the forefront of UN efforts to protect civilians.” — from the UN HIPPO Report, June 2015 PEACE Getting recognition of UCP The final report of theHigh Level Independent Panel on United Nations Peace Operations, appointed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, included a recommendation for unarmed civilian protection (UCP) which marks the highest-level recognition that UCP has ever received. Sharing The panel emphasized the protection of civilians, the primacy of local actors and the need for stronger preventive approaches. For updates the model on Advocacy actions, click here. Nonviolent Peaceforce has completed a manual for an e-learning course on UCP in collaboration with the UN Institute of Training and Research (UNITAR). This is the most advanced academic “The Panel reviewed the excellent input by Nonviolent Peaceforce which shared compilation on UCP yet produced. with us its positive experience in protecting civilians in war-torn situations.