SESSION 4: HUMANITARIAN PRINCIPLES

AT THE END OF SESSION 4, YOU SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH:

7 humanitarian principles used by UNICEF and how to apply them

Importance of adhering to common ethical standards in humanitarian action

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Key considerations for engaging or not engaging with non-state entities (NSEs)

AT THE END OF SESSION 4, YOU SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH:

UNICEF

UNICEF’S HUMANITARIAN PRINCIPLES

Impartiality (non-discrimination)

Neutrality

Humanitarian imperative

Do no/less harm

Accountability

Respect for culture and custom

Participation of affected populations, in particular women and children

3 UNICEF

SPHERE PROJECT

Consortium of NGOs and other agencies working in humanitarian assistance

Established minimum standards for sustaining lives and dignity of those affected by conflict– SPHERE Humanitarian Charter– SPHERE Minimum Standards

4 UNICEF

ENGAGEMENT WITH NON-STATE ENTITIES (NSEs)

“Failing” states and the rise of NSEs

Not a question of ‘should we/shouldn’t we’ if UNICEF to meet mission

Issues of engagement are complex

Principled engagement with NSEs critical– Visibly adhering to the humanitarian principles– Human Rights Based Approached to Programming

(HRBAP)5 UNICEF

FRAMEWORK FOR ENGAGEMENT

International legal standards + humanitarian principles

UN inter-agency response guided by the SRSG and the Humanitarian Coordinator

UNICEF works in consultation or collaboration with UN partners

CCCs identify UNICEF’s initial response and should guide UNICEF when engaging with NSEs

6 UNICEF

COMMON CONDITIONS IN NSE AGREEMENTS

Adherence to certain legal standards (e.g. CRC, GC+AP)

Recognition of humanitarian principles

Unrestricted access

Responsible for safety of aid workers

Assistance will be used only for non-military, non- political purposes

Direct monitoring

NSE will meet reporting requirements7 UNICEF

Humanitarian organisations: must adhere to humanitarian principles for their own credibility, safety, effectiveness!

Three fundamental principles: humanitarian imperative, neutrality and impartiality

Engagement with non-state entities must be based upon humanitarian principles

8 UNICEF

KEY MESSAGES