New NATO handbook incorporates guidance on casualty recording

Following several years of consultation and development, NATO has published its Protection of Civilians Allied Command Operations Handbook. The handbook is intended to help integrate existing NATO Policy and Concept on Protection of Civilians into all NATO operations and missions. It is designed for use by NATO staff involved in planning and executing NATO operations, at both strategic and operational headquarters.

The Protection of Civilians Allied Command Operations Handbook recognises the importance of military engagement with casualty recording initiatives, including those led by civil society. It also highlights the need for greater standardisation of casualty recording practices, explicitly citing ECC’s Standards for Casualty Recording as an example framework.