Where We Work

Below are some examples of the deployments that Stabilisation Unit has undertaken, as of end of November 2007.  The information on this page is available here in a printable MS Word document.

The Unit focuses on countries (or parts of countries) that are emerging from violent conflict, that are UK foreign policy priorities and where close cooperation between an international military presence and civilian agencies is essential to achieving greater stability. Its primary focus is where the UK military is significantly involved (i.e. Afghanistan and Iraq), but it can also support UK efforts elsewhere that meet the criteria specified above if it has the capacity to do so. It is therefore also actively engaged on a number of countries in Africa, focusing on Sudan and Somalia, and supported the UK response to the Lebanon crisis of summer 2006.

If you are interested in deploying with Stabilisation Unit, please visit our "Working For US" page.

Afghanistan

The Stabilisation Unit began work in Afghanistan in August 2005, deploying an advisor to the Ministry of Counter-Narcotics and preparing for the UK deployment to Helmand Province.

In 2006 and 2007, PCRU advisers in the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Helmand Province helped the Provincial Development Council determine priorities for the province, enhanced co-ordination between the Afghan Army and Police, and managed Quick Impact Projects such as better irrigation, more reliable power supply, and extending reception of the BBC World Service Pashto Service. A review in autumn 2006, facilitated by the Unit, led to improvements in integration between the UK military and civilian Departments implementing the UK Helmand Plan. On-going work in autumn 2007 includes helping the provincial and district government to plan for the development of the province and extending the provision of services, such as schooling and clinics, beyond the centre of the province. The Unit is expected to take on greater responsibility for the delivery of the UK civilian efforts in southern Afghanistan; the exact extent is currently under discussion.

In Kabul, since November 2005, the Unit has provided core staff in support of the British Embassy to help the UK monitor and report against delivery of the UK strategy in Afghanistan.

Earlier, more detailed information is available within the Stabilisation Unit Afghanistan factsheet.

Basra (Iraq)

The Stabilisation Unit has been active in Iraq since 2005, including providing staff for the UK-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Basra in 2006/2007. The PRT enabled the Basra Provincial Council to identify and implement priority projects in areas such as water supply and economic development. It worked closely with the British military to ensure that their quick impact projects meet the priorities of the Council. Most recently, October-December 2007, the Unit have supported the UK’s review of its work in the Rule of Law sector in Iraq.

Earlier, more detailed information is available within the Stabilisation Unit Iraq factsheet. An article entitled Whitehall on the Shatt al Arab also gives the perspective of former Stabilisation Unit staff member on his time in Basra.

Darfur (Sudan)

The Stabilisation Unit has been engaged on Sudan since July 2006 in managing a project to support to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to raise awareness of the Darfur Peace Agreement. The Unit is now working with DFID and the FCO to decide what further support the UK Government should offer, focusing on what it can do to help develop the information capacity of UNAMID and communication of the Darfur peace process. The Unit also supported development of a new UK Government strategy for Sudan, contributing technical expertise on scenario planning, as well as analysis and assessment of key stabilisation issues.

Earlier, more detailed information is available within the Stabilisation Unit Sudan factsheet.

Somalia

Since summer 2007, the Unit has helped the UK Government and the International Contact Group agree the critical steps needed on a path towards stability and agree a common action plan and engagement plan. The new United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) is now leading the international effort, using the analysis facilitated by Stabilisation Unit.

Nepal

Following the signing of the peace agreement between the government of Nepal and the Maoists in November 2006, the Stabilisation Unit undertook a study of public security, which led to the provision of one short term adviser to assist with the planning of election security. This adviser was withdrawn following the postponement of the election in October 2007. A second adviser is assisting in developing a national debate on public security issues. The public security work involves facilitating discussions with people from a wide cross section of Nepalese society, from relevant Ministries through to parliamentarians of every party, the media, NGOs and disadvantaged communities.

Earlier, more detailed information is available with the Stabilisation Unit Nepal factsheet.

Lebanon

During the hostilities in 2006 the Unit was involved in UK cross Government assessments of the emerging crisis. This included setting up a stabilisation team, deployed to Lebanon, to establish options for the UK’s involvement. Following the cease-fire, the Unit helped strengthen the British Embassy’s contribution to promoting greater coherence of the international community support to the Lebanese Government and, specifically, efforts to strengthen the Lebanese security forces.

Further information is available within the Stabilisation Unit Lebanon factsheet.

More...

The work of the Unit is always evolving.  The Unit is currently preparing to send advisers to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kosovo and has previously carried out a number of smaller deployments. From our Information and News page we have a link to a page containing a number of documents about the Stabilisation Unit.