Stabilisation Unit

The Stabilisation Unit is an interdepartmental agency of the UK government; it is jointly owned by the FCO, the DFID, and the MOD.^[1] It aims to support fragile states and countries emerging from conflict,^[2] where close cooperation between international agencies, the military, and civilian personnel is essential.^[3]

The Stabilisation Unit, formed in 2007 from the Post-Conflict Reconstruction Unit,^[4] serves a similar function to and works closely with institutions such as the Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force (Canada)^[5] and the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization (United States).

Activities

The Stabilisation Unit's objectives are:^[6][7]

• To prevent or contain violent conflict;
• To protect people, key assets and institutions
• To promote political processes which lead to greater stability.
• Prepare for longer term development and address the causes of conflict.

Locations

The Stabilisation has provided advice, or assistance, for various places in crisis, including:

• Afghanistan: The SU has helped with a variety of problems in Helmand province.^[8][9]
• Democratic Republic of Congo: A stabilisation advisor has been with MONUC since 2008.^[10]
• Haiti: Assisting prisons in Haiti after the earthquake^[11]
• Iraq: The SU assisted the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Basra,^[12] and helped rebuild police capabilities.^[13]
• Sudan: Helping with civil society engagement. Four consultants are in Darfur.^[14]
• Kosovo, Moldova, Somalia, Yemen, and Pakistan: The SU helped build strategies for assisting these countries.^[10][15][16]

People

The SU recruits civil servants into the Civil Service Stabilisation Cadre (CSSC)^[17][18]

The SU also recruits civilians; the UK Civilian Stabilisation Group (CSG) was launched in February 2010.^[19] The SU maintains a pool of approximately 1000 civilian experts who can be deployed to assist other countries to help build peace & security.^[16]

External links

• Stabilisation Unit - United Kingdom

References

1. "Stabilisation Unit". Directgov. 2010-10-18. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
2. "Civilian Experts needed for the UK Government's Stabilisation Unit". Local Government Alliance for International Development. 20 July 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
3. "About Us". Stabilisation Unit. 2010-10-19. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
4. "National security concerns continue to dictate Britain's government aid and development agendas". London School of Economics. 4 October 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
5. Established in 2005 within Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (http://www.international.gc.ca/start-gtsr/index.aspx)
6. "Stabilisation and the Stabilisation Unit" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
7. "Stabilisation and Stability Operations: A Literature Review" (PDF). 30 June 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
8. "Afghanistan". Stabilisation Unit. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
9. Linklater, Magnus (2 July 2008). "Afghanistan: 'It was a battlefield last time I was here. The progress is remarkable'". The Times. London. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
10. "Other Countries". Stabilisation Unit. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
11. "Haiti". Stabilisation Unit. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
12. "Iraq". Stabilisation Unit. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
13. "Developing Forensic Capability in Iraq". Stabilisation Unit. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
14. "Sudan". Stabilisation Unit. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
15. "Security Sector Reform in Moldova". Stabilisation Unit. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
16. "Pool of British civilian experts to help countries emerging from violence launched". Defense Professionals. 12 February 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
17. "Stabilisation Unit: a unique opportunity for local government employees". November 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
18. "Civil Service Stabilisation Cadre". 12 July 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
19. "Launch of UK Civilian Stabilisation Group (CSG)". National Archives. 9 February 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2011.