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ANNEX III – Glossary of Key Terms

Armed Groups	groups that have the potential to employ arms in the use of force to achieve political, ideological or economic objectives; are not within the formal military structures of States, State alliances or intergovernmental organizations; and are not under the control of the State(s) in which they operate.
Complex Emergency	a humanitarian crisis in a country, region, or society where there is total or considerable breakdown of authority resulting from internal or external conflict and which requires an international response that goes beyond the mandate or capacity of any single and/or the ongoing UN country programme. [IASC definition]
Humanitarian Negotiations	negotiations undertaken by civilians engaged in managing, coordinating and providing humanitarian assistance and protection for the purposes of: (i) ensuring the provision of protection and humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations; (ii) preserving humanitarian space; and (iii) promoting better respect for international humanitarian and human rights law.
Humanitarian Security	physical and psychological safety of both humanitarian staff and beneficiaries [working definition used in this manual].
Humanitarian Space	a conducive humanitarian operating environment. [OCHA definition]
Negotiation	The deliberation which takes place between two or more parties regarding a proposed agreement. In the context of armed conflict, negotiations often relate to permitting humanitarian access, agreeing upon a ceasefire, or establishing peace through a framework agreement or peace accord. [OCHA definition]
Protection	[encompassing] all activities aimed at obtaining full respect for the rights of the individual in accordance with the letter and the spirit of the relevant bodies of law (i.e. international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and refugee law). [working definition used by IASC]