The humanitarian principles are a set of guidelines and values that guide humanitarian action and are based on the fundamental principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. These principles serve as a framework for providing assistance and protection to those affected by conflict, natural disaster and human-made disasters, or other emergencies, with the goal of alleviating suffering and protecting human dignity.
The four key humanitarian principles are:
- Humanity: Human suffering must be addressed wherever it is found. The purpose of humanitarian action is to protect life and health and ensure respect for human beings. The principle of humanity requires that humanitarian actors prioritize the needs of individuals and communities affected by crisis and respond to their suffering with a sense of urgency and empathy.
- Neutrality: Humanitarian actors must refrain from taking sides in conflicts or engaging in any activity that may be perceived as partisan or supportive of one group over another. The principle emphasizes the importance of maintaining a neutral stance to ensure the safety and effectiveness of humanitarian assistance.
- Impartiality: Humanitarian action must be carried out on the basis of need alone, giving priority to the most urgent cases of distress and making no distinctions on the basis of nationality, race, gender, religious belief, class or political opinions. Humanitarian assistance must be provided without discrimination, it requires that aid be provided solely on the basis of need.
- Independence: Humanitarian actors must maintain their independence from political, economic, or military objectives or agendas, and ensure that their actions are guided solely by the humanitarian imperative of alleviating suffering and protecting human dignity.
The four principles are formally enshrined in two United Nations General Assembly resolutions. The first three principles (humanity, neutrality and impartiality) are endorsed in General Assembly resolution 46/182, which was adopted in 1991. General Assembly resolution 58/114 (2004) added independence as a fourth key principle underlying humanitarian action.
By adhering to these principles, humanitarian actors can ensure that their actions are guided by a commitment to humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence, and that they are able to provide assistance and protection to those affected by crisis in a way that is accountable and respectful of human dignity.
The humanitarian principles are derived from the core principles, which guide the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The seven fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement also include the principles of voluntary service, unity and universality.