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 in PDF format.
If you are interested in deploying with Stabilisation Unit, please visit our "Working For US" page.
The Stabilisation 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.
The unit provides specialist, targeted, and rapid assistance. Our primary focus is where the UK military is significantly involved, but we also support UK efforts elsewhere.
We have been actively engaged in a number of countries including Sudan (Darfur), Somalia, Lebanon, Nepal, Kosovo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as Iraq and Afghanistan.
Below are some examples of the work that we have undertaken, as of end of September 2008.
Afghanistan
Earlier this year, Departments agreed that the Stabilisation Unit should play an expanded role in delivering the Helmand Roadmap – which came into operation on 1st April 2008 and sets out the shared framework for the UK’s engagement in Helmand.
The Stabilisation Unit is now responsible for recruiting, preparing and deploying all civilian experts into the Stabilisation, Governance, Counter-Narcotics and Rule of Law teams within the UK’s integrated Civilian/Military Mission in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. This mission continues to act as a central coordination point for a wide range of civilian programmes delivered in the Province. The Stabilisation Unit is currently responsible for 29 posts – although this is set to grow by the end of 2008.
The Unit has been working in Afghanistan since 2005, when it deployed its first advisor to the Ministry of Counter-Narcotics. 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.
On-going work 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.
Iraq (Basra)
The Stabilisation Unit is continuing to enhance its commitment to Iraq. In August 2008, members of the Unit's core staff completed a review of the Basra Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), and this will be followed in October 2008 by a review of DfID's Governorates Capacity Building Programme in southern Iraq. Work to advise the management of Basra International airport and support to airport business planning is ongoing.
The Stabilisation Unit has been active in the country since 2005, providing staff for the UK-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Basra including it’s Head in 2006/2007. The PRT has been enabling the Basra Provincial Council to identify and implement vital priority projects in areas such as water supply and economic development. It works closely with the British military to ensure that their quick impact projects met the priorities of the Council. In October-December 2007, the Unit supported the UK’s review of its work in the Rule of Law sector in Iraq which has led to the secondment of a Unit staff member to the British Embassy in Baghdad.
Sudan
The Stabilisation Unit’s engagement in Sudan helps to improve the chances for a durable political settlement in Dafur. At present, this is largely by supporting the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation (DDDC). Set up under the Darfur Peace Agreement, the DDDC is the principal mechanism for civil society engagement in the political process and for longer-term reconciliation and rehabilitation in Darfur.
Current Stabilisation Unit activities in Sudan include; establishing DDDC field offices to ensure regular, extensive and inclusive dialogue and consultation in major population centres in Darfur; assisting in local outreach activities; establishing mechanisms for feeding local voices, needs and perspectives in to the political process; engaging other key institutions supporting dialogue and peace building; and building the capacity of the DDDC by developing a system for recruiting and training national staff, and improving external and internal communications systems.
The Stabilisation Unit is also engaged in strengthening the UK's wider support to civil society in Sudan, Disarmament Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR), and UNDP Threat Risk Mapping Analysis (TRMA) - a programme of assessment to inform conflict sensitive programming in Sudan.
The unit has been involved in Sudan since 2006, when we helped manage a two-year project to stimulate public debate on peace and conflict in Darfur; and in 2007, the Unit supported development of a new UK Government strategy for Sudan, contributing technical expertise and analysis of key stabilisation issues.
Somalia
Since summer 2007, the Unit has helped the UK Government and the International Contact Group agree 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 the Stabilisation Unit.
Nepal
Following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the government of Nepal and the Maoists in November 2006, the Stabilisation Unit undertook a study of public security, assisted with the planning of election security, and helped develop a national debate on public security issues. Through the public security project, the Unit facilitated discussions between people from a wide cross section of Nepalese society, from relevant Ministries through to parliamentarians of every party, the media, NGOs and disadvantaged communities. Elections were held in April 2008 leading to a Moist-headed coalition Government.
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 during the crisis, 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.
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.