Security means different things to different people. An insurgency group, for example, would feel threatened by any individuals or organizations who provide services including medical services. Since, these services are provided without the permission and approval of the insurgents, then "the providers'' constitute a threat that can diminish the insurgents control over the community.
The insurgents feel that those who provide these services (without “asking” the community to “join the cause of fighting the enemy”) are a direct threat. The" providers" interrupt the recruitment process.
Vulnerable communities are easy recruits whether they are weak.
On August 8th 2010, six American volunteers were killed in Afghanistan. [1] The Taliban, the Islamic radical insurgency group, claimed full responsibility over the killing. The volunteers were providing medical services to communities who lacked access to these services. The services included general health care, eye care, and dental services with a focus on children.
The questions that need to be asked in order to understand the complexity of the massacre are:
1) Who was providing medical services prior to the arrival of the volunteers?
2) Who has enough money and means of transportation to bring medical care to the rural Afghanistan community?
The answer is the most powerful group in that community which is Taliban. However, the services were not offered for free, (as the medical volunteers were offering). Taliban was offering these services in exchange for community support.
These volunteers were a direct threat to the core existence of the Taliban. Thus, the Taliban killed them. In doing so, the Taliban made sure that any organization would think twice before sending any volunteers or staff members to provide medical services. As such, the Taliban is establishing a monopoly on providing these services.
This case study illustrates the connections between security and services that can improve the quality of life in local communities.
On Saturday August the 7th, a bomb exploded in downtown Basra, the second major city in Iraq, more than 100 people were killed. The bomb exploded in Abedulla Ben Ali Street, where many medical clinics offer their services to communities. It is true that the security situation in Iraq in general is critical and Basra is no exception. However, why there is an increase in terrorist acts in areas where medical services are provided? Basically, in the eyes of the insurgents, any services that make the community stronger and independent will ultimately weaken the goals of the insurgents.
[1] Los Angeles Times, Article Collections, August 8th 2010 http://articles.latimes.com/2010/aug/08/world/la-fg-afghan-aid-workers-20100808
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