November 16, 2006 | Volume 3, Issue 2
Marla Bertagnolli
Associate Director, CIVIC
Marla Bertagnolli is a recent Heinz School graduate and the Associate Director of CIVIC, the Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict. Prior to joining CIVIC, Marla was an Edward Rawson Fellow at Citizens for Global Solutions working on US global engagement on such issues as the Darfur genocide and Avian Influenza, and has also worked in the Disaster Public Affairs Office for the American Red Cross. While still a Heinz student, she also contributed her article, Women’s Rights in the Middle East: Will Iraq Follow Saudi Arabia’s Example?, to the Heinz School Review.
CIVIC is a Washington-based non-profit organization founded by the late Marla Ruzicka, a young humanitarian killed by a suicide bomb in Baghdad while advocating for war victims in Iraq. CIVIC‘s work has helped create and fund legislation for civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq, obtain urgently needed medical care for victims, and draw attention to the devastating effects of war on innocent men, women and children.
HSR: Many are not aware of the issues surrounding civilian casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan. Can you give an overview of these issues?
Marla Bertagnolli: It is a fact that war is dangerous for civilians. While international humanitarian law (IHL) requires respect and protection for civilians not taking part in hostilities, there is no international standard demanding recognition, dignity, reparations or aid to innocent men, women and children caught in the crossfire. We are asking the U.S. government and other nations in conflict (such as those making up NATO‘s forces in Afghanistan) to do something exceptional—to establish a new standard of behavior in combat. In our own country, many Americans believe that when we go to war, it is for a moral purpose and that we fight with good intention. It is difficult to acknowledge that our actions can cause suffering and pain to innocents. CIVIC breaks down those barriers, urging nations like ours to face the consequences of its actions despite good intentions.
Here are our four main areas of advocacy:
First, CIVIC advocates publicly, in the media and in the halls of the US Congress for the increased effectiveness and sufficient funding of U.S. community and family rebuilding programs in Afghanistan and Iraq. Assistance for victims is critically important for civilians injured and the families of those killed, and it starts the process of building trust and stability among local communities. Needless to say, it is also the right thing to do.
Second, there is currently no public record of civilian casualties held by the U.S. or NATO. We are urging the Pentagon in particular (and will work to create legislative requirements) to keep as accurate a count as is possible in wartime of all casualties caused by U.S. forces. Without this type of record, no country—including the US—can legitimately stand by claims of sufficiently minimizing civilian harm as required by international law.
Third, US military officers have discretionary funds for humanitarian assistance, including the payment of condolences to families suffering losses. CIVIC believes this program is a good and important effort to both recognize casualties and to foster goodwill on the ground. Yet, it has too many challenges to be entirely effective. CIVIC is working to create fixes for the program in the short term, and, in the long term, will draft and advocate for a new, permanent claims system for civilians harmed in any conflict to which the US is a party.
Fourth, as you know, NATO has taken over responsibility for security in Afghanistan. Currently, NATO has no compensation or aid program for civilians harmed in their operations to quell the Taliban. NATO forces should immediately develop a collective program to mitigate resentment when bullets and bombs accidentally harm civilians. That means immediate monetary compensation from military forces for a civilian death, injury or property damage. It also means broad humanitarian aid to help war victims and their communities rebuild after the smoke has cleared. Both efforts are equally important.
HSR: How would you respond to someone who disagrees that America should be concerned about this problem?
MB: I would tell them that compassion is now and has always been an important American value—a value we cannot let fall away in times of hardship. The programs we advocate for are the only programs on the ground helping the US win hearts and minds. Importantly, that kind of effort protects our brave soldiers by mitigating the hurt and anger felt by families when their loved ones are accidentally harmed our operations. The US military itself has noted the need for programs like these in their new counterinsurgency manual. These programs are right for innocent Iraqis and Afghans who are caught in the crossfire of war and they are right for America.
HSR: How does CIVIC address the problem of civilian casualties—particularly regarding programs and policy change?
MB: We give voice to war victims in the court of public opinion. We make sure media attention is paid not just to our brave troops serving overseas but to the civilians suffering every day. We call for aid through the US Congress to help civilians and families harmed in Iraq and Afghanistan. We work to ensure US, NATO and Coalition forces abide by their duty to avoid civilians by all feasible means and to recognize casualties when they occur. We bolster humanitarian and trauma work. We create innovative advocacy and awareness campaigns to engage and grow our grassroots support for issues that are central to our mission. Across all these efforts, we maintain a patriotic, non-partisan stance—focusing solely on the civilians that are, might be or have been tragically caught in the crossfire. In sum, we are here to ensure that those who have been injured and the families of those who are killed are recognized, respected and aided.
HSR: When a civilian is seriously injured, what are some of the repercussions this may have on his or her family and community?
MB: This is a very big issue for communities in combat, and specifically for families. Often, the male breadwinner of a family is killed or severely injured leaving a family with no source of income. Families in Iraq and Afghanistan are usually extended and the loss of one major breadwinner affects the entire family. Eldest sons and daughters are often forced to drop out of school in order to work an provide for the family, wives who traditionally played the role of caretaker of the home and children are thrust into the role finding a sustainable income to provide for their families.
With the help of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) CIVIC obtained assistance for Afghan and Iraqi communities harmed as a result of U.S. and Coalition operations. To date, $38 million has been appropriated for the Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund, with more than $14 million additional for similar activities in Afghanistan. This is the first program of its type in U.S. history, proving that change is possible. CIVIC and its partners in June succeeded in ensuring this program has the resources it needs to continue.
The Marla Fund was created to aid families as they work to get back on their feet after they have suffered tragedy. The Fund provides grants to families with the goal of ensuring a sustainable income stream for their family. The family plays an active role in deciding what type of business is best for them. Grants range from the purchase of cows and chickens to provide milk and eggs to local markets to small grocery stores complete with business training and stock.
HSR: CIVIC has and continues to secure medical treatment in the United States for those civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan who cannot get adequate treatment in their home countries. What has been your most successful case?
MB: This is a particularly unfortunate issue in Iraq, where the formerly well-functioning medical infrastructure has been decimated. CIVIC has a program that helps severely injured children receive a chance at a new life. Our most successful cases to date is that of Marwa Naim. Marwa is a 13 year-old girl from Baghdad who was disfigured in 2003 when U.S. bomb struck her family’s home killing her mother. CIVIC worked with a vast network of partners to bring Marwa to Los Angeles to undergo facial reconstructive surgery at UCLA. Success on these individual cases keeps CIVIC motivated and we have another 6–7 cases we are working on right now.
HSR: What are some of the major challenges in helping civilians?
MB: One huge challenge is the danger of working in-country and the inability to move around, meet with families and coordinate aid first-hand. We rely on our network of partners to help us contact families and individuals in need of help or with information that could help our efforts. Without this network, most of which functions on donated time, we would not be able to carry out our work—leaving a major gap in both international justice and on-the-ground care.
Another challenge for CIVIC is funding. We don’t accept government funding of any type, knowing that we are in a position of pressing nations to be better. Due to the groundbreaking nature of our work, most private foundations do not have funding programs in place for this type of giving; either they have human rights programs or they have peace and justice programs. Though our work fits into both of those it isn’t necessarily solely under either heading. We have to work extra hard to ensure our work is funded. Going forward we hope to see the donor community embrace this work because it is important and there is unfortunately a need for it all around the world.
HSR: What does CIVIC plan to do next in the area of health care for injured civilians?
MB: We are currently in the process of working with several of our healthcare partners to create a program to identify, provide medical work ups and application services for children who need medical care out of their countries. This is a very long and difficult process, so one of our top priorities is to streamline the efforts to get more children the help they so desperately need.
HSR: What are some ways that people can act on the issue of civilian casualties? For example, what can those of us still in school do to help?
MB: The woman, men and children of conflict often go unheard – their needs drowned out by bullets and bombs. We tell them that Americans care, but often simple actions are not there to back up our claims.
Policymakers who have the power to make war, stop war, and create war’s conditions must also hear that we care about the ordinary citizens of Iraq, Afghanistan and other conflict zones trying to go about their daily lives. We need the help of the citizens of this country to help us tell their stories.
We have tried to make it as easy as possible for people to get involved. Here are a few things anyone can do to help:
- Tell your friends and family about CIVIC and our work. Ask them to visit our website to learn more about the issue. If you have a blog or website, help us spread the word by requesting a CIVIC button/link to put on your website.
- Sign up for our email alerts and take action. We are continuously running advocacy campaigns on behalf of innocent victims of war. This is an easy way to tell your elected representatives and US government officials you care about this issue.
- We are a small organization, running on a shoe-string budget, so every dollar counts! Make a donation to CIVIC and ensure that we can continue helping victims of war.
- Get your school, community group or congregation involved. Email me at marlab@civicworldwide.org to find out how.