Multi-Dimensional Military Missions and Humanitarian Assistance

Overview

Multi-dimensional missions: In recent years, regional organisations and others have established missions to countries in conflict or post-conflict situations that integrate military, political, and humanitarian assistance functions under a single structure. Recent examples include the US-led coalition in Iraq, NATO in Afghanistan, Australia’s operation in the Solomon Islands, and the African Union’s mission in Sudan. Various concepts have been developed to cover such missions, including NATO’s ‘the comprehensive approach’ and ‘Effects-based Approach to Operations (EBAO)’, and ‘whole-of-government’ approaches.