L'Interazione Civile-Militare bel Disaster Relief: "last resort" o best option?

Civilan-Military Interaction (CMI) can be very useful in implementing Disaster Relief operations support. COVID-19 pandemic underlined CMI’s crucial role in an environment where military organizations proved their ability to promptly support civilian counterpart in specific national contexts as well as supranational scenarios, demonstrating efficiency, prompt response and prolonged support capacity. As defined by the so-called “Fourth Mission” of the Italian Armed Forces, Joint Defence Staff provides highly specialized capabilities in a very well-defined frame in both space and time, supporting humanitarian and disaster relief operations. Hence, a cyclical process of continuous improvement at both national and supranational level in terms of planning and preparation of the Armed Forces -also specifically in response to disasters. is needed. The aim of the project is to analyze the synergistic effect that can be obtained by CMI in the various phases of emergency assistance in the event of natural or man-made disasters. CMI employment in case of natural disasters greatly differs from public health emergency management: during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, military medical departments attempted to integrate the action of National Health System and strengthen its specific capabilities. During a natural disaster environment - such as the 2010 earthquake in Haiti -, military medical staff supported humanitarian operations. The analysis allows for a thorough understanding of how military forces support their civilian counterpart in the event of lack, insufficiency or destruction of emergency services due to the impact of a disastrous event. The use of military forces and assets may represent the best opportunity rather than the “last resort” for the specific context considered.