HUMANITARIAN PRINCIPLES
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KONDRAGUNTA SURYA TEJA | 2201111 IIITG
Underlining all humanitarian action are the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. These principles, derived from international humanitarian law, have been taken up by the United Nations in General Assembly Resolutions 46/182 and 58/114. Their global recognition and relevance is further underscored by the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations in Disaster Relief and the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability.
Humanitarian principles define what humanitarian aid is: delivering life-saving assistance to those in need, without any adverse distinction. They distinguish humanitarian aid from other activities, for example those of political, religious, ideological or military nature. Adherence to the humanitarian principles facilitates access and acceptance, and helps humanitarian workers carry out their work.
At EU level, the humanitarian principles are enshrined in the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid, signed in December 2007 by the Council of the EU, the European Parliament and the European Commission.
The Consensus is the core framework which guides EU humanitarian aid policy, providing a common vision and principles, as well as a practical approach. It ensures that the actions carried out by the European Commission's Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department (ECHO) comply with the humanitarian principles and provide humanitarian assistance to those who need it most.
Humanity is identified and defined by its sole intention and aim to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found; to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. To guarantee the humanitarian nature of an aid organization or a relief activity, it must be possible to prove that humanity is the only concern taken into consideration. This principle implies that each relief organization must be free from any other agenda and independent from any constraints other than humanitarian ones.
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