Civil-military Coordination in Disaster Operations : A case study of: Swedish civil-military coordination between govermental organizations

Abstract:

This research is an analysis of the major challenges and barriers confronted when considering civil-military coordination in disaster operations. The main objective of this study was to investigate Swedish civil-military governmental organizations strengths and weaknesses together with the intention of increasing civil-military coordination. This study is conducted, to provide knowledge on progress understanding the challenges for civil-military coordination for Sweden.

The main conclusion of the research addresses the findings from Swedish organizations views about conditions for coordination. Also the implications of coordination based on real-life experiences, such as the Haiti earthquake, into a greater civil-military coordinating in disaster operations.

Based on this analysis the Swedish organizations paradox remains that; at the same time of increasing demands on efficiency and effectiveness measuring organization’s performances, it presently has also the further demands and growing requests of military involvement in humanitarian operations. Thus, the issue of coordination becomes even more obvious amongst governmental organizations, in such way that it is challenging the current political policies, strategies and mandates, governing organizations today. Coordination becomes evident and illustrates the need for organizational changes; from traditional methods and processes, to a more useful and business oriented operations. Of which, greater efficiency and effectiveness should be the desired output. The question of coordination in disaster operations represents also motivation for organizations, to develop areas of performance in which greater use of their resources and capabilities can be achieved.

In view of these, logistical challenges, including clear differences in capabilities, values and focus that make organizations develop in different ways; good examples of coordination were presented. These were intended as a foundation for further discussions among Swedish governmental organizations.

Unresolved still, is whether increasing civil-military coordination is a marginal activity in the logistics area and consequently preventing the duplication and overlapping of tasks. Thus, it is more of an integrated activity that seeks to complement responses only partly, or is it more of a single strategy reaching higher effectiveness and efficiency of national resources?  Finally, the empirical findings are highlighting the need for a coherent governance of the humanitarian issue in Sweden. Therefore signifying, the need for greater trust and understanding of each other which should be regarded as the most important factors in the development of efficient civil-military coordination. Including, the need for a national coordination platform in which organizations can coordinate and develop capability for coordination.