COVID-19 has now reached the majority of countries around the world. The UN and EU have already adapted their peace operations. In order to contain the spread of the virus, the UN has asked troop contributors to put troop rotations on hold. The EU has begun to scale back activities such as its training of security forces and local outreach. This outreach and other contact with local populations and government agents is, however, crucial for the missions to fulfill their mandates.
In this DGAP Web Talk, we discussed the implications of this situation for current peace operations. To what extent do large peace operations with rotating international staff risk spreading COVID-19 to local populations in vulnerable post-conflict regions? Or, conversely, can peace operations – with their unique logistical assets and expertise – contribute to containment in the areas in which they are deployed? In addition, the speakers explored the precautions missions are taking to protect their own international staff, including when organizations should withdraw them for the sake of their health.
Speakers:
Birgit Loeser
Deputy Civilian Operations Commander/Chief of Staff in the Operational Headquarters for civilian CSDP missions (CPCC)
Daniel Maier
Strategic Planning Cell, United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)
Chair:
Carina Böttcher, Research Fellow, Security and Defense Program, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)
Dr Gerrit Kurtz, Research Fellow, Conflict Prevention and Diplomacy in Africa, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)