| The various constituencies which participate in relief activities today via funding, administrative, or operational channels include ad hoc membership associations, incorporated non-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations, intergovernmental organizations, governments, and militaries. The relationships that have developed between these entities have vacillated over time and in various contexts from co-operational to contentious, and both collaboration and confrontation have been present in discussions over methods, models, and means used in relief aid.;The current relationship between the U.S. government and aid organizations is an important example of the complex realities of humanitarian relief. The inherent structure of the U.S. military, with its rapid, thorough, and effective logistical capabilities and mobility, as well as its numerous and disciplined ranks, is often called upon by the U.S. government to provide for the immediate needs of victims of disaster. The military can mobilize and transport large quantities of supplies and workers faster than any NGO and has access to better and more secure funding. While not widely known or understood, the U.S. military has been involved in humanitarian missions almost since the nation's founding, though its role has varied significantly depending on both the requirements of the emergency and the domestic and international political climate at the time. What is the history of the relationship between the U.S. military and humanitarian organizations?; and what can it tell us about the current and future relationship between these parties?;In addition, this thesis will explore the effect that the military and humanitarian organizations have had on each other. Has the military contributed to the militarization of humanitarian aid?; and have humanitarian organizations contributed to the humanizing of the military? A historical perspective is particularly relevant today because many of the current critiques of modern military humanitarianism lack a contextual comprehension beyond the previous decade and few venture into history for lessons and trends. |
