UN-CMCoord Concept & Guidance

There are other civil-military related concepts within the humanitarian, development, and peace and security communities, such as Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC), Civil-Military Cooperation and Coordination (CMCO (EU)), Civil-Military Interaction (CMI (NATO)), Civil-Military Operations (CMO), or Civil Affairs (CA).

The United Nations Department of Peace Operations (DPO) defines UN-CIMIC as a military staff function that facilitates the interface between military and civilian components, including humanitarian and development actors. UN-CIMIC supports the mission, particularly military branches whose primary role is providing a secure and stable environment.

Civil-Military Concepts and Key Elements

Civil-Military Concepts

UN-CMCoord Key Elements

UN-CMCoord Definition

UN-CMCoord is the essential dialogue and interaction between civilian and military actors in humanitarian emergencies that is necessary to protect and promote humanitarian principles, avoid competition, minimize inconsistency and, when appropriate, pursue common goals. Basic strategies range from cooperation to coexistence. Coordination is a shared responsibility facilitated by liaison and common training.

The key coordination elements in natural disasters and complex emergencies are information sharing, task division, and planning. These key elements' scope and modus operandi will change depending on the context and interlocutors. The UN-CMCoord function encompasses, but is not exclusive to, five CMCoord tasks distinct from typical security or logistics work.

NATO CIMIC

Definition

A military joint function that integrates the understanding of the civil factors of the operating environment and that enables, facilitates and conducts Civil-Military Interaction to support the accomplishment of missions and military strategic objectives in peacetime, crisis and conflict

UN CIMIC

Definition

UN-CIMIC is a military staff function that contributes to facilitating the interface between military and civilian components, which also include humanitarian and development actors (International Organizations (IOs) and (International) Non-Governmental Organizations ((I) NGOs)) in the mission area. UN-CIMIC supports the mission as a whole, and particularly UN military components whose primary role is providing a secure and stable environment, within which humanitarian/development actors may also carry out their activities.

Core Tasks

Develop an up-to-date and accurate comprehensive civilian operational picture.
Provide analysis, early warning, risk and threat assessment of the civilian operating environment by developing a CIV-OES.
Contribute to overall planning efforts by developing the CIV-OES
Identify risks and opportunities.
Coordinate and liaise.
Support for Quick Impact Projects (QIPs)
Facilitate requests for support needed to alleviate human suffering.
Request support from the humanitarian/development actors to the UN military components.

Group Work

Report abuse