Deployment Experience of US Health NGOs from International Public Health Missions in Partnership with the US Department of Defense

Abstract

Deploying US-based health NGOs, when partnered with the US Department of Defense (DOD), demonstrates the effectiveness of public-private relationships providing humanitarian assistance and medical intervention to emerging nations. This presentation uses a qualitative case study comparison of seven joint Project HOPE-US DOD missions, ranging from the Latin American region to Southeast Asia, from 2005-2007. The public-private partnership allows participants to capitalize on resource-sharing, which correlates to mission success. NGOs are value-added organizations that, when coupled with DOD, create a synergistic effect where the fiscal, manpower, and logistic strengths of DOD are combined with the institutional experience, the provision of quality volunteer professionals, and the ability to acquire high-value, donated Gifts-In-Kind (GIK) of the NGO. Enduring US Navy deployments allow NGOs to support either wide-ranging or focused, targeted health programs and/or prioritized countries of interest. With the majority of the world's population residing in coastal areas, NGOs are able to use US Navy ships to reach the global community. These ships are efficient platforms for deploying medical teams ashore. NGOs, working in conjunction with DOD, offer the capability to provide medical outreach, community health education, comprehensive surgery, the delivery of GIK, and the means to exercise and refine operational processes for disaster relief missions. In addition, analysis found that NGOs, as private organizations, are able to allay host nation fears or concern associated with the US DOD deploying to countries that may hold differing political views not aligned with US government policies.