Civilian Response Corps

 Video transcript

July 16, 2011, marks the third anniversary of the Civilian Response Corps, a partnership of nine federal agencies providing deployable expertise in international conflict prevention and stabilization. Congress authorized the Corps in 2008 to help address the rise of new challenges to U.S. national security, including weak governance, political conflict, and internal violence in countries around the world.

Since its inception, the Civilian Response Corps has grown from a small pilot program to provide civilian responders to U.S. embassies in 36 countries. 

Examples of major accomplishments include:

• Afghanistan: Civilian Response Corps members support the U.S. Embassy in Kabul with expertise in strategic planning, civilian-military coordination, and assessment and implementation of U.S. efforts to build capacity in the Afghan government at the local level. Corps members operate in a variety of units and locations, including the Embassy, Afghan ministries, and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) regional commands.
   
• South Sudan: Civilian Response Corps members provided a surge in diplomatic capabilities critical to the success of U.S. efforts in support of the country’s January 2011 referendum on independence. Corps members worked in state capitals and many smaller localities on a regular basis to collaborate with local officials, civil society, UN officials, and international groups. The Corps’s conflict mitigation efforts and field reporting assisted the U.S. Consulate in Juba and the U.S. government in Washington to better understand and affect the conflict dynamics in that region.
   
• Kyrgyz Republic: Corps members helped the U.S. Embassy set up a temporary office in the restive southern region to support conflict prevention efforts and report on political developments. From that location, the Corps provided expertise and logistical support to promote political reconciliation after the 2010 revolution and prevent a resumption of violence.

The Corps is made up of specially trained civilians from the Department of State, the U.S Agency for International Development, and the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, Health & Human Services, Homeland Security, Justice, and Transportation.