Counter-terrorism and humanitarian action

This HPG Policy Brief explores how measures introduced to combat terrorism have had a significant impact on humanitarian organisations, eroding their ability to protect civilians and provide humanitarian assistance to those in need.  The authors consider how counter-terrorism provisions can criminalise humanitarian action and undermine humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality. 

Key findings include:

• Humanitarian funding from donor governments is increasingly being made conditional on assurances that it is not benefiting listed individuals or organisations.
• Counter-terrorism laws and other measures have increased operating costs and administrative functions and slowed down operational response.
• Greater transparency is required between NGOs, UN agencies, humanitarian donors and governments in order to ensure that counter-terrorism objectives do not undermine humanitarian commitments.