1. The humanitarian community engaged in humanitarian response in Yemen agrees that the principles outlined in this Protocol reflect humanitarian policies, guidance and well established practices for interaction with parties to the conflict. Humanitarian organisations agree that this Protocol forms the basis for such engagement.
2. Humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and operational independence are core fundamental principles that the humanitarian community adheres to. These principles are the cornerstone of any humanitarian operation, and are derived from International Legal Framework (including International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights Law and UN General Assembly Resolution 46/182 (10 December 1991)) and are part of codes of conduct and organisational mission statements guiding humanitarian organisations.
3. Humanitarian operations and organisations are guided by:
a. Humanity: Human suffering must be addressed wherever it is found, with particular attention to the most vulnerable population, such as children, women and the elderly. The dignity and rights of survivors must be respected and protected.
b. Neutrality: Humanitarian actors will not participate in hostilities or taking sides in controversies of a political, religious or ideological nature.
c. Impartiality: humanitarian assistance is provided, without discrimination on the basis of ethnic origin, political opinion, gender, nationality, race or religion. Provision of assistance is guided solely by needs, and priority is given to the most vulnerable cases.
d. Operational Independence: Humanitarian action must be autonomous from the political, economic, military or other objectives that any actor may hold with regard to areas where humanitarian activities is being implemented.
e. Dignity: People in need shall be respected as equal partners in action in all activities and support the maintenance of their dignity as human beings in all communications.
f. Do no harm: Humanitarian organisations must strive to ‘do no harm’ or to minimize potential harm when being present and providing assistance. Humanitarian organisations should provide assistance in ways that are supportive of recovery and long-term development.
g. Transparency and accountability: Humanitarian partners act in a transparent manner with all parties and are accountable to those whom they assist.
Disclaimer
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.