Humanitarian actors have a long-standing experience of working alongside or coordinating with armed opposition movements. The ‘Global War on Terror' (GWOT) has however placed restrictions on humanitarian actors and several key donors now demand that agencies no longer co-ordinate or associate with groups that have been classified as terrorist. There is a widespread perception that the ability of several relief organisations to function has been curtailed as a result of these restrictions, both in terms of funding restrictions and partnership issues. One case in point is the suspension of aid to the Palestinian Authority following the election of Hamas in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (oPt) in 2006, which has deprived humanitarian organisations of its main counterpart in the delivery of aid to the population of the oPt.

The regulations related to the terrorist lists have also added layers of bureaucracy to the provision of humanitarian assistance, since many organisations now have to devote time to checking partner organisations and ensuring legal compliance. Furthermore, the restrictions have damaged the trust that many humanitarian agencies have built up with local partners and communities and have raised suspicions around the role of NGOs. They are now often seen as implementers of foreign policy agendas, with corresponding security risks related to the rise of anti-western sentiment that is very much tied to the GWOT. Humanitarian organisations are said to have become more cautious as a result of the lists and this risks likely slowing down assistance programmes significantly.

This HPG research project, which is scheduled to commence in 2008, seeks to analyse the practical consequences for humanitarian action in contexts where groups designated on a number of different terrorist lists are located. The study will examine the role being played by the various relief organizations linked to groups such as Hizbullah, Hamas and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. During 2007, literature and materials from different case studies will be compiled so any documents or experiences related to this work would be gratefully received and should be sent to Samir Elhawary.