Redress Program
The Zomia Center’s Redress Program advocates for civilians harmed in U.S. and Coalition military operations in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.
Despite congressional allocation of $3 million annually for condolence payments since 2020, most survivors and affected families have waited years without acknowledgment or support from the U.S. government.
Zomia seeks to fill this gap by helping impacted civilians request redress from the military, facilitating medical and rehabilitative assistance when possible, and advocating for accountability more broadly.
Our partners include the Center for Civilians in Conflict and Airwars.
Publications
Just Security | May 7, 2024
For Another Year, DoD Fails to Make Condolence Payments to Civilian Harm Victims
Just Security | January 4, 2023
Under the Pentagon’s New Civilian Harm Action Plan, Addressing Credible Cases is a Moral Imperative
In The News
Washington Post, November 16, 2024
Pentagon urged to make payments for slain, injured civilians
Shoulder to Shoulder: Untold Stories from a Forgotten War, August 27, 2024
Civilian Casualties (Podcast Episode)
NPR, August 7, 2024
The Pentagon is reinvestigating if troops killed civilians in its 2019 Baghdadi raid
Washington Post, May 2, 2024
U.S. forces thought they killed a terrorist. They got the wrong man.
New York Times, December 29, 2023
Pentagon’s New Plans to Reduce Civilian Deaths Leave Questions Over Israel
The Intercept, November 12, 2023
Civilian Harm: Secret Pentagon Investigation Found No One at Fault in Drone Strike That Killed Woman and 4-Year-Old
NPR, July 28, 2023
Pentagon Files Reveal Flaws in U.S. Claims about Syrian Casualties in Baghdadi Raid
The Intercept, May 17, 2023
The U.S. Still Owes Money to Family of 10 Afghans It Killed in “Horrible Mistake”
George Washington University Law School, December 12, 2022
GW Law Hosts DoD Officials for Roundtable on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan
The Intercept, September 19, 2022
Drone Debt: U.S. Refuses to Help Wounded Survivor of Wrongful Attack in Yemen
New York Times, August 25, 2022
Austin Orders Overhaul to Better Protect Civilians During U.S. Combat Operations
Sign-On Letters
To Secretary Austin: Make Amends in Outstanding Civilian Harm Cases
October 31, 2024
Joint NGO Submission on Humanitarian Response in Gaza
March 23, 2024
Letter on Restrictions on Aid to Gaza
March 12, 2024
Letter on Restoring UNRWA Funding
February 14, 2024
Letter on Protection of Civilians in Gaza
December 20, 2023
Letter on Amends for Civilian Harm in Somalia
December 18, 2023
Call for Ceasefire in Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territory
October 16, 2023
Letter on May 3 Syria Strike
June 29, 2023
Letter on Lethal Force Policy
December 19, 2022
Letter on AUMF Repeal
December 13, 2022
Letter on Civilian Harm in Somalia
August 10, 2022