All tarred with the same brush

Abstract

The ongoing situation in Afghanistan highlights the deadly implications that the convergence of security and development can create. The article argues that prior to the current focus on the securitydevelopment nexus, the convergence was first evidenced by the creation of human security. The article reviews the power relationships involved in the processes that have affected understandings of security and development in the process of the creation of human security. By investigating how the securitisation process operates with regards to human security, the ongoing convergence of security and development will be made evident. The implications for humanitarian workers in Afghanistan will be used to highlight that a clearer delineation is needed between security and development, both in discourse and in practice.

The contested space of post-conflict development: Reflections of New Zealand Defence Force Personnel on working at the nexus of security and development in Afghanistan

“…Proponents of military involvement in humanitarian action commonly make reference to the need to be pragmatic about the dangers faced by any intervener in spaces of conflict regardless of their affiliation (Miskel, 2005). However, the targeting of aid workers in particular is often argued to be a result of the presence of military actors (Collins, 2011;McGoldrick, 2012;Omidian, 2012). Involvement of the military in humanitarian work compromises the 'humanitarian space' that aid and development agencies rely on to guarantee their safety, as civilian workers may be mistaken for armed forces or deliberately targeted (Collins, 2011).…”

“…However, the targeting of aid workers in particular is often argued to be a result of the presence of military actors (Collins, 2011;McGoldrick, 2012;Omidian, 2012). Involvement of the military in humanitarian work compromises the 'humanitarian space' that aid and development agencies rely on to guarantee their safety, as civilian workers may be mistaken for armed forces or deliberately targeted (Collins, 2011). Humanitarians are faced with the decision to either seek support from security contractors in order to continue their operations, or withdraw (Levine, 2013).…”

“…community with belligerents associating such groups with ISAF (Collins, 2011;Dziedzic & Seidl, 2005;Omidian, 2012;Shannon, 2009). Dziedzic & Seidl (2005, p. 2) in a report characterising civilian-PRT relations in Afghanistan assess that:…”

The contested space of post-conflict development: Reflections of New Zealand Defence Force Personnel on working at the nexus of security and development in Afghanistan

“…Proponents of military involvement in humanitarian action commonly make reference to the need to be pragmatic about the dangers faced by any intervener in spaces of conflict regardless of their affiliation (Miskel, 2005). However, the targeting of aid workers in particular is often argued to be a result of the presence of military actors (Collins, 2011;McGoldrick, 2012;Omidian, 2012). Involvement of the military in humanitarian work compromises the 'humanitarian space' that aid and development agencies rely on to guarantee their safety, as civilian workers may be mistaken for armed forces or deliberately targeted (Collins, 2011).…”

“…However, the targeting of aid workers in particular is often argued to be a result of the presence of military actors (Collins, 2011;McGoldrick, 2012;Omidian, 2012). Involvement of the military in humanitarian work compromises the 'humanitarian space' that aid and development agencies rely on to guarantee their safety, as civilian workers may be mistaken for armed forces or deliberately targeted (Collins, 2011). Humanitarians are faced with the decision to either seek support from security contractors in order to continue their operations, or withdraw (Levine, 2013).…”