Humanitarian principles

14 March 2025

Key points
Collaborate with partners (including in the Humanitarian Country Team, where it exists) in
identifying potential risks to humanitarian operations and the negative perceptions that
might hinder acceptance and access. Humanitarian principles should serve as the
foundation for developing effective strategies to mitigate or eliminate these risks
Effectively convey consistent and transparent messages, including to affected communities
regarding the humanitarian nature of UNHCR's mandate and its work and that of its partners
Adopt a community-based approach that considers age, gender, and diversity differences.
Engage affected populations in needs assessments and ensure their meaningful
participation in the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of the
humanitarian response
When providing support to non-UN security forces such as police and border officials,
UNHCR must adhere to humanitarian principles, human rights standards and inter-agency
guidelines, including the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy
Building a solid understanding of humanitarian principles within UNHCR and among key
partners is a foundational requirement. Where appropriate, promote familiarity with the
international normative legal framework to maintain ethical and effective humanitarian
interventions

1. Overview
At the core of all humanitarian actions lie the fundamental principles of humanity,
impartiality, neutrality, and independence. These principles, rooted in international
humanitarian law, have been embraced by the United Nations through General Assembly
Resolutions 46/182 and 58/114. Their widespread acceptance and significance are further
emphasized by their incorporation into the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and
 Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations in Disaster Relief, as well as the
Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability.

UNHCR's mandate is founded upon non-political, humanitarian principles. The organization

consistently upholds these humanitarian principles when responding to all types of crises,
whether they stem from conflict, violence, or natural/man-made disasters. Additionally, UNHCR
aligns with internationally recognized principles that complement its commitment to ‘principled
humanitarianism’. One such principle is the imperative of 'do no harm,' which mandates that
UNHCR takes measures to prevent and alleviate any adverse consequences of its actions on the
affected populations. Equally significant is UNHCR's dedication to rights-based and community-
based approaches, which encompass efforts to actively engage and empower individuals of
concern in decisions that impact their lives.

Ultimately, States have the primary responsibility to protect and assist persons in their territories
who are affected by disasters, armed conflicts, or violence. Humanitarian action is designed to
complement and support States in fulfilling those responsibilities; it should neither undermine
nor supplement state responsibility.

2. Relevance for emergency operations

Humanitarian principles have practical operational relevance in situations of armed conflict,
violence and natural or man-made disaster that characterize many emergencies. Consistent
adherence to humanitarian principles can enable organizations like UNHCR to distinguish
themselves from other actors and to

Gain and maintain access and proximity to affected populations, including forcibly
displaced and stateless persons as well as host communities.
Mitigate risks to affected populations, staff, partners, and assets.
Promote the rights and dignity of affected populations.
Establish a principled engagement with authorities and, where appropriate, with non-State
parties to a conflict.
Plan and carry out protection and assistance interventions without discrimination, giving
priority to persons facing the most acute protection risks or having the most urgent needs.

3. Main guidance
The principal motivation behind humanitarian action is to save lives and alleviate suffering while
upholding and restoring personal dignity. Accordingly, humanity is the principal driver for
responding to crises, whether triggered by conflict, violence, or natural or man-made disasters.

Humanitarian actors distinguish themselves from other responders to crises through their
commitment to impartiality. This means that humanitarian action is based solely on need, with
priority given to the most urgent cases irrespective of factors such as race, nationality, gender,
religious belief, political opinion, or class. The neutrality of humanitarian action is further upheld
when humanitarian actors refrain from taking sides in hostilities or engaging in political, racial,
religious, or ideological controversies. At the same time, independence requires humanitarian
actors to be autonomous. They are not to be subject to control, subordination, or influence by
political, economic, military or other non-humanitarian objectives.

‘Principled humanitarianism' is a commitment to meet the assistance and protection needs of

affected populations in a way that is distinct and separate from political and other motivations.

Humanitarian actors must acquaint themselves with and consistently apply these principles, in
particular in situations of armed conflict.

During an armed conflict involving multiple actors, adhering to humanitarian principles requires a
clear division of labour between humanitarian and other actors, notably those in the political and
military realms. Military actors can include the armed forces of the host State, but also
international and regional forces, armed non-State actors, and UN peace operations. By affirming
complementary roles with these actors, humanitarian actors can maximise the protection of
civilians.

As an illustration, most UN peace operations have a mandate to protect civilians. This role can
lead them to patrol high risk areas ensuring the security of refugee and/or internally displaced
persons (IDP) camps, clear areas of explosive ordnance or unexploded remnants of war or
facilitate voluntary return or relocation.

UNHCR and the Protection Cluster should work to complement such efforts, for example by
providing updated protection analysis based on a solid conflict sensitive analysis. Further
guidance on coordination between humanitarian and military actors can be found in the Entry on
civil-military coordination.

For guidance on UNHCR's work in armed conflict, which can involve dealing with a UN
Peacekeeping mission’s presence that has a protection of civilians mandate, please see the
section on ‘Protection of Civilians – UNHCR's role’ in the ToolKit on Protection in Armed Conflict.

The toolkit also provides guidance on engaging with weapon bearers and on how to conduct
humanitarian negotiation. In an armed conflict, humanitarian negotiation plays a crucial role in
gaining or improving access and creating the conditions for effective protection.

For this reason, UNHCR has established a strategic partnership with the Centre for Competence
on Humanitarian Negotiation (CCHN) to bolster the capacity of its staff and partners in
negotiating issues related to protection on the front lines.

Post emergency phase

The objectives of humanitarian action are to save lives, alleviate suffering and uphold human
dignity amid crises and their aftermath, while also focusing on the prevention of such situations
and bolstering preparedness. It is essential to adhere to humanitarian principles not only during
emergencies but also while establishing the groundwork for sustainable recovery and lasting
solutions.

Annexes
 The CCHN Field Manual on Frontline humanitarian negotiation, 2019

Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-
Governmental Organizations in Disaster Relief (ICRC and IFRC), 1994

The Sphere Handbook, 2018

The CHS Alliance and the Sphere Project - The Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and
Accountability, 2024

UNGA, General Assembly Resolution 58-114, 2004

The Human Rights Due Diligence Policy on UN Support to non-UN security Forces, 2015

4. Links
The CCHN Field Manual on Frontline humanitarian negotiation UNHCR - Protection in Armed
Conflict Toolkit | Global Protection Cluster

5. Main contacts
The first port of call is the UNHCR Dep. Representative (Protection) or the UNHCR Asst. Rep.
(Protection), and/or Snr Protection Officer in the country; alternatively contact the UNHCR
Regional Asst./Dep Rep (Protection) and/or Snr. Regional Protection Officer at the regional office
(if applicable). You may also contact the Snr. Regional Legal Advisor in the respective UNHCR
regional bureau, covering the respective country region, who will liaise as required with the
parent unit at UNHCR DIP.

UNHCR Division of Emergency, Security, and Supply (DESS, at [email protected]), and the
Division of External Relations for inter-agency processes relating to humanitarian principles,
including UNHCR’s work within an integrated mission setting.

UNHCR Field Safety Service, DESS (at [email protected]) is responsible for the security of persons
of concern, and the security of UNHCR's workforce.