Humanitarian Standards
This page is also available in Arabic
As the international humanitarian agenda evolves and the number of actors increases, we're re-visiting existing humanitarian standards to ensure they're still applicable and appropriate. We believe unbiased, inclusive standards based on a broad global perspective are vital.
All humanitarian and development organisations seek to protect and improve peoples' lives. Our research shows vast areas of agreement between religious and secular organisations on humanitarian standards. Establishing common standards, internationally recognized by Western and Eastern organisations is key to ensuring effective disaster relief.
With a long history as a neutral and independent humanitarian organisation, The International Movement of the Red Cross / Red Crescent is ideally placed to lead our Humanitarian Standards module. The 1994 Red Cross/NGO Code of Conduct was formulated in the spirit of neutrality and impartiality, taking into account Christian and Muslim perspectives amongst others.
Whilst the 1994 Red Cross/NGO Code is an impartial and non-religious document, the principle of aid without discrimination echoes the Islamic Five Fundamentals of Protection which similarly state that vulnerable people must be helped without prejudice. Our working group on Humanitarian Standards is identifying ways to bring together Eastern and Western values, and to 'root' the 1994 Code of Conduct in Islamic principles.
We believe differences are strengths to be explored. We're not ignoring different cultural and operational perspectives; instead we're using them as a starting point for considered, inclusive and open cooperation. So often, the humanitarian world seems riddled with bureaucracy and dissent. It's the world's most vulnerable people who suffer - the very ones the sector seeks to help. At The Humanitarian Forum, we're committed to cutting through the unnecessary red tape.
That's why we share information openly and actively through dialogues between Western and Islamic organisations. It's why we create partnerships between humanitarian actors and governments, to clear the way for greater understanding and straightforward, intuitive systems. It's why we work to promote common humanitarian standards at national and international levels.
We empower humanitarian organisations to reach unreachable people. Through a solid foundation of communication and respect, we're enabling them to work on a level of unprecedented efficiency.
Resources for Humanitarian Standards
Access the 1994 Code of Conduct here.
The IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation has proposed a Code of Conduct for humanitarian actors which is rooted in Islam. Access it here.
Wikipedia article: What is the Code of Conduct?
ICVA: Cracking the Code: The genesis, use and future of the Code of Conduct
ICVA Learning Event 2010
From March 29-30, THF Programme manager Shahira Maarouf, Ahmad Al Sharaji Humanitarian Forum Yemen country manager and three HFY members attended a two-day workshop on humanitarian principles organized by ICVA in Amman, Jordan. The overall objective of the workshop was to promote and translate humanitarian principles into practice using the Code of Conduct as a key reference.
Following an introductory session on the history of the Code of Conduct, its relevance to the changing humanitarian environment (in terms of need and space) was discussed. The use of case studies helped to focus and contextualize the discussion. On the second day, the application of humanitarian principles and its potential use as an advocacy tool was the focus of discussion. Case studies were used to highlight tensions between theory and practice and potential dilemmas involved with the different principles.
The learning event represented an important opportunity for HFY to further familiarize itself with international codes and principles and to continue to develop a national code of conduct relevant to the local context.
ICVA sponsored the participation of HFY members. We thank ICVA for their support, as the workshop will contribute to the work of The Humanitarian Forum locally and internationally.
