Humanitarian Principles & Standards
PRESENTATION MADE BY JORAM
CHIKWANYA
COMMON STANDARDS
 Humanitarian Accountability Partnership
 Active Learning Network for Accountability and
Performance in Humanitarian Action
 People in Need
 SPHERE Guidelines
HUMANITARIAN ACCOUNTABILITY
PARTNERSHIP
The Imbalance of Power in Humanitarian Action
•There is a clear imbalance of power between humanitarian actors
and the recipients of their services
•Lack of effective regulatory mechanisms
•Risks of sustaining power imbalance are often not obvious
•Frank discussion of power (and power abuse) is difficult when
‘giving’, ‘compassion’, and ‘benevolence’ are important and
defining values
INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES ARE
VULNERABLE TO:
• Waste and inefficiency
• Corruption and fraud
• Being used for the political agendas of others
• Staff misconduct such as sexual exploitation
• Priorities driven by for e.g. competition for market share and the
power of donors rather than by measured assessment of need
• Inappropriate decisions, for example agencies taking on jobs that
they are not qualified to do
Humanitarian organisations are unique in that the
consumers of their services
• Have little or no influence upon their operations,
• Rarely have means by which to appeal or complain
• Are rarely reported to
• Are not represented in
– NGO governance arrangements
–
Donor resource allocation procedures
–
UN coordination mechanisms
In 1995, the Joint Evaluation of the International Response to the
Genocide in Rwanda found
• Need to improve accountability by monitoring performance of
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humanitarian action
Need for sector-wide learning
No standards in quality/ quantity of services
Negligence by some agencies led to increase in suffering and
death
Agencies increasing but are unregulated
Staff abuse of beneficiaries rights and dignity
No regard given to local capacities, e.g. staff
Lack of consideration for culture and context
Low level of inter-agency coordination
Protection, safety and security concerns
Recommendations of the Need for
Humanitarian Accountability
• Accountability mechanisms need to be integrated into existing
programmes and operations
• Incentive for monitoring and reporting
• Creation of a strong self-regulatory association of agencies

committed to monitoring and reporting on the application of
relevant “mission-critical” standards to strengthen accountability
to beneficiaries
Humanitarian Accountability Partnership International (HAP) set
up in 2003
WHAT IS HUMANITARIAN
ACCOUNTABILITY

Humanitarian accountability involves taking account
of, giving an account to and being held to account by to
disaster survivors

MANAGERS AND STAFF IN RELIEF PROGRAMMES PROPERLY
CONSIDER AND PRIORITIZE THE NEEDS, CONCERNS AND VIEWS
OF DISASTER SURVIVORS IN ALL THEIR POLICIES AND
ACTIVITIES

Always practicable and should never be delayed until
conditions improve

Means by which the power of aid agencies is qualified and
legitimized
ALNAP
 ALNAP IS CONCERNED WITH LEARNING AND
ACCOUNTABILITY
 SET STANDARDS FOR EVALUATION
Primary Role of Humanitarian Assistance
The Primary objective of the humanitarian aid is to
save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human
dignity
Core Humanitarian Principles
 The humanitarian Imperative
 Neutrality
 Impartiality
FUNDAMENTAL HUMANITARIAN PRINCIPLES
Humanity
 Impartiality
 Neutrality
 Independence
 Voluntary Service
 Unity
 Universality
(Derived from the Geneva Conventions based mandates of the Movement and evolved
practice in the first 80 years of RC/RC action)
Humanity
Humanitarian principles of humanity, the centrality of
saving human lives and alleviating suffering wherever it is
found; Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the
human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting
peace amongst all peoples.
Impartiality
 No discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political
opinions. Endeavours to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely
by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.
Neutrality
 Humanitarian action must not favour any side in an
armed conflict or other dispute where such action is
carried out or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial,
religious or ideological nature.
Independence
 Autonomy of humanitarian objectives from the political,
economic, military or other objectives that any actor
may hold with regard to areas where humanitarian
action is being implemented. The Humanitarian Actors, while
auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the
laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that
they may be able at all times to act in accordance with these principles.
DISASTER RELIEF
 The Code of Conduct seeks to establish and safegaurd common humanitarian
standards of behavior by articulating high standards for independence,
effectiveness and impact. It contains the following components:
 The Code of Conduct and Principles of Conduct for NGOs in disaster response
programs.
 Three annexes describing the working environment that humanitarian
organizations desire to see created by host governments, donor governments and
intergovernmental organizations.
The Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct and Principles of Conduct for the Movement and NGOs in
disaster response programs:

The humanitarian imperative comes first.

Aid is given regardless of race, creed or nationality of the recipients and without adverse
distinction of any kind. Aid priorities are calculated on the basis of need alone.

Aid will not be used to further a particular political or religious standpoint.
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We shall respect culture and custom.
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We shall attempt to build disaster response on local capacities.

Ways shall be found to involve programme beneficiaries in the management of relief aid.
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Relief aid must strive to reduce future vulnerabilities to disaster as well as meeting basic needs.
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We hold ourselves accountable to both those we seek to assist and those from whom we accept
resources.

In our information, publicity and advertising activities, we shall recognize disaster victims as dignified
humans, not hopeless objects.
Annexes
Annex I – Recommendations to the governments of disaster affected countries:
Governments should recognize and respect the independent, humanitarian and impartial
actions of non-governmental humanitarian agencies.
Host governments should facilitate rapid access to disaster victims.
Governments should facilitate the timely flow of relief goods and information during disasters.
Annex II – Recommendations to donor governments:
Donor governments should recognize and respect the independent, humanitarian and impartial
actions of non-governmental humanitarian agencies.
Donor governments should provide funding with a guarantee of operational independence.
Donor governments should use their good offices to assist non-governmental humanitarian agencies in
obtaining access to disaster victims.
The Sphere Project
 A handbook of humanitarian assistance.
 A broad process of collaboration between NGOs globally.
 Expression of commitment to quality and accountability.
 Intended to improve the quality of assistance provided to people affected by
disasters.
The Sphere
Humanitarian Charter
 Commitment to “act in accordance with the principles of humanity and
impartiality.”
 Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief.
 Fundamental Principles based in international human rights and
humanitarian law:
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The right to life with dignity.
The distinction between combatants and non-combatants.
The principle of non-refoulement.
 Commitment to achieving Minimum Standards.
The SPHERE
 Minimum standards for water and sanitation
 Health Services
 Food security, nutrition and food aid
 Shelter settlement and Non-Food Items