text: Chapter 1
  1-68. Nations join multinational efforts for various reasons. Although the missions of multinational
  partners may appear similar to those of the U.S., rules of engagement, host-nation policies, and sensitivities
  may differ among partners. U.S. military leaders require a strong cultural and political awareness of other
  multinational military partners. Planners must be aware that multinational forces may also require
  significant U.S. enabling capabilities such as medical evaluation and logistic support. (See JP 3-16 and the
  American, British, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand (ABCA) Coalitions Operations Handbook for
  more information on multinational partners.)
  Nongovernmental Organizations
  1-69. A nongovernmental organization is a private, self-governing, not-for-profit organization dedicated to
  alleviating human suffering; and/or promoting education, health care, economic development,
  environmental protection, human rights, and conflict resolution; and/or encouraging the establishment of
  democratic institutions and civil society (JP 3-08). There are several thousand NGOs of many different
  types. Organizational charters and their members’ motivations govern their actions. Some NGOs receive at
  least part of their funding from national governments or intergovernmental organizations. Some may
  become implementing partners according to grants or contracts. For example, the United States Agency for
  Internal Development contracts some NGOs to perform certain functions. In these cases, the funding
  organization often gains oversight and authority over how to use the funds.
  1-70. To ensure their own security and gain access to vulnerable populations in theaters of conflict, most
  NGOs maintain neutrality, impartiality, and independence from all sides in a counterinsurgency. These
  positions provide NGOs protection against claims of favoritism by the parties to armed conflict and
  enhance the credibility and security of these organizations.
  1-71. Depending on the degree to which NGOs follow these principles, NGOs may carry out their work
  with a very different frame of reference from that of the government. Rather than perceiving their
  organization as supporting the overall U.S. or multinational stabilization effort, they may view the situation
  from the perspective of the victims of conflict, regardless of their affiliation with belligerent parties. They
  may give preference to individuals and communities based on humanitarian need, rather than meeting
  operational objectives.
  1-72. While NGOs sometimes choose to coordinate their activities with the U.S. government for security,
  policy, or funding, often they are reluctant for fear of being associated with the government’s political
  goals in conflict. This creates a natural but often unavoidable tension in the relationship. Commander’s ease
  this tension through a mutual understanding of respective mandates and a clear delineation of tasks. For
  example, some organizations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, refuse to take armed
  escorts in conflict zones, relying instead on their wide recognition as neutral, independent, and impartial
  humanitarian actors. Commanders ensure information is available to NGOs to allow them to deconflict
  ground and air routes and provide contact information for them to coordinate safe passage in areas with
  active air or ground defense measures. At a minimum, air information should be passed through
  International Civil Aviation Organization notices to airmen and host-nation aeronautical information
  publications.
  1-73. Many NGOs may operate in conflict areas long before external military forces arrive. These NGOs
  may remain after forces depart. Depending on their mandate, they can support critical host-nation
  government functions, or can contribute to the stabilization effort. To the greatest extent possible,
  commanders attempt to complement rather than override their capabilities. Commanders strive to build a
  complementary, trust-based relationship based on mutual understanding and a clear delineation of
  objectives and tasks.
  Other Organizations
  1-74. An intergovernmental organization is an organization created by a formal agreement between two or
  more governments on a global, regional, or functional basis to protect and promote national interests shared
  by member states (JP 3-08). Regional organizations like the Organization of American States and European
  Union or global organizations such as the United Nations may be involved in some counterinsurgency