Guidelines for humanitarian operations in conflict-affected areas

Basic principles

Guided by international humanitarian law, human rights law and the laws of Yemen, humanitarian
action in Yemen is based on the following basic principles:

1. Principle of humanity. Humanitarian partners1 respond to suffering of civilians wherever it

occurs.

2. Principle of impartiality. Humanitarian action is carried out on the basis of needs alone.
Priority is given to the most urgent needs, and makes no distinctions based on nationality, race,
gender, religious belief, class, tribe or politics. Assistance is distributed based on needs assessed
independently by humanitarian partners and on available funding and resources.

3. Principle of neutrality. Humanitarian partners do not take sides in hostilities.

4. Principle of operational independence. Humanitarian action is entirely independent of

political, economic, military or other objectives that are not directly related to relieving civilian
suffering. Humanitarian partners operate in accordance with official laws of Yemen.

5. Principle of transparency and accountability. Humanitarian partners act in a transparent

manner with all parties and are accountable to those whom they assist.

General operational guidelines

In all cases, humanitarian aid in Yemen will be delivered in accordance with the principles listed
above. In addition, the following operational guidelines outline commitments on the part of
authorities2 and humanitarian partners necessary for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

In all cases, humanitarian partners commit to:

1. Prioritize assistance and develop projects solely based on independent needs assessments,
available funding and available resources;

2. Coordinate and share relevant information on humanitarian operations with relevant authorities,
including assessment and monitoring information;

3. Notify authorities a minimum of 24 hours before the arrival of any humanitarian mission 3 to
their areas of control, including the following mission details: objective, dates, number of
vehicles, planned itinerary and contact details;

4. Complete all agreed humanitarian projects and activities, provided that security and the overall
operating environment are conducive and that sufficient resources are available;
1
In this document, "humanitarian partners" refer to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and entities of the United Nations
seeking to deliver humanitarian assistance to people in need.

2
In this document, "authorities" refer to the legal authorities of the Government of Yemen and other de facto authorities in
control of a given area.

3
In this document, "mission" refers to a visit by humanitarian partner(s) to an area where mission participants are not usually
based in support of ongoing or potential humanitarian operations.
 Guidelines for humanitarian operations in conflict-affected areas

5. Prevent the entry of any type of weapons into facilities offering humanitarian assistance or into
humanitarian partners' vehicles, planes, offices or other facilities;

6. Select implementing partners (including local NGOs, community-based organizations and

contractors) and staff based on qualifications that humanitarian partners deem necessary to
complete their tasks;

7. Respect and follow the laws of Yemen, humanitarian principles and their own established
procedures for all administrative processes, including for recruitment and procurement;

8. Respect the dignity of all communities assisted, including their culture, religion and customs.

In all cases, authorities commit to:

1. Allow and facilitate independent humanitarian operations to reach all people who need
assistance within their area of control, including by providing relevant information and support;

2. Never intimidate or threaten humanitarian staff, even in cases where circumstances have forced
a change in itinerary, or where authorities (including at checkpoints) have not been notified of a
humanitarian mission;

3. Ensure the safety of humanitarian staff and assets (facilities, vehicles, equipment and goods);

4. Ensure the freedom of movement of humanitarian staff and assets, including by not treating the
regular movements of established humanitarian partners in an area as "missions" that require
notification or other special procedures;

5. Allow humanitarian partners to use any communications equipment (including radios and
satellite phones) needed for humanitarian operations;

6. Inform humanitarian partners of risks of insecurity in areas of humanitarian operations, and

suggest alternative routes, locations or safety measures.

Special operational guidelines for humanitarian partners

Humanitarian partners operating in areas controlled by de facto authorities further commit to:

1. Offer transportation in humanitarian vehicles or planes only to personnel authorized by the

humanitarian partners that operate said vehicles or planes;

2. Visibly mark humanitarian vehicles with stickers and, to the extent possible, flags, which may
only be used by the organizations they represent;

3. Not accept military or armed escorts, except in special circumstances and when agreed in
advance with clearly defined parameters.

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