Resources

Resources for the Humanitarian Professional

This section provides a listing of key references and guides/manuals for humanitarian workers.

Aid Workers Network links relief and development field staff to share support, ideas and best practice. This web site is being developed by a team of experienced aid workers to provide a comprehensive resource for busy field workers needing practical advice and proven resources to help with their current work.

Aid Workers Exchange is a weekly e-mail bulletin for knowledge sharing amongst relief and development practitioners. It covers a wide variety of topics with the format alternating between questions/responses and short, practical articles.

The Sphere Project - Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response

The Sphere Project was launched in 1997 by a group of humanitarian NGOs and the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement. Sphere is based on two core beliefs: first, that all possible steps should be taken to alleviate human suffering arising out of calamity and conflict, and second, that those affected by disaster have a right to life with dignity and therefore a right to assistance. Sphere is three things: a handbook, a broad process of collaboration and an expression of commitment to quality and accountability.

The Geneva Conventions: the core of international humanitarian law

The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols are part of international humanitarian law – a whole system of legal safeguards that cover the way wars may be fought and the protection of individuals. They specifically protect people who do not take part in the fighting (civilians, medics, chaplains, aid workers) and those who can no longer fight (wounded, sick and shipwrecked troops, prisoners of war). The Conventions and their Protocols call for measures to be taken to prevent (or put an end to) what are known as "grave breaches"; those responsible for breaches must be punished. More than 190 States have adhered to the Conventions – that's almost every country in the world.

Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement

Completed in 1998 by a team of international legal experts led by the noted Sudanese scholar, Dr Francis Deng, and under the direction of the UN Secretary-General, the Guiding Principles (GPs) represent the first international standards for internally displaced persons (IDPs). The GPs comprise 30 principles, which define the rights of IDPs and the obligation of both governments and rebel groups to protect them.

Code of Conduct for The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief
The Code of Conduct for The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief, was developed and agreed upon by eight of the world's largest disaster response agencies in the summer of 1994 and represents a huge leap forward in setting standards for disaster response. It is being used by the International Federation to monitor its own standards of relief delivery and to encourage other agencies to set similar standards.

The Virtual Operations On Site Coordination Center (Virtual OSOCC)

With modern internet-technology, disaster information can be exchanged continuously and simultaneously by relief actors from any place in the world. The information is stored in a database on the internet facilitates the access of topics of particular interest. Users can provide comments on existing information and, thereby, discuss issues of concern with other stakeholders. The Virtual OSOCC provides an effective tool to facilitate the information exchange between responding governments and organizations throughout the relief operation.

Field Operations Guide for Disaster Assessment and Response

This guide on disaster assessment and response, now at version 4, can be used as a reference for individuals sent to disaster sites to perform initial assessments or to members of an OFDA Disaster Assistance Response Team. Information is provided on general responsibilities and information; assessments; information on populations at risk; disaster assistance response team; forms and instructions; reference information; and commonly used acronyms and terminology. The guide aims to be of interest to a variety of field operations as a useful source of information.

European Humanitarian Aid: Values & Principles

Humanitarian aid is a difficult and serious business that must be carefully constructed, not improvised. Crises are more numerous and complex nowadays, and choices that are made about aid delivery have a direct impact on the lives of millions. Effective humanitarian aid is built on fundamental principles: impartiality, non-discrimination, independence, neutrality. If these principles are forgotten, then humanitarian aid, and the survival of millions is put in question. The purpose of this brochure is to explain why it is so important for European humanitarian aid to stick by its value and principles.

Guidelines for Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment in Disasters

The Guidelines for Rapid Environmental Impact in Disasters (REA) provide a means to define and prioritize potential environmental impacts in disaster situations. The Guidelines is composed of five main parts and ten supporting Annexes. The main parts include an Introduction to the REA, and modules on Organization and Community Level Assessments, Consolidation and Analysis of assessment results and Green Review of Relief Procurement. The Annexes include information sources, forms used in the assessment and information useful in managing the REA process.

Practical Guide to Multilateral Needs Assessments in Post-Conflict Situations

This guide aims to help make post-conflict needs assessments (PCNAs) more effective by systematizing the analysis and suggesting more efficient processes. In particular, it contributes to the definition of common minimum standards regarding quality, reliability and inclusiveness of the assessment; a fast-track professional response by the international community when recovery planning becomes feasible; and lowering the costs of PCNAs by promoting systematization and standardization.

Emergency Field Operations Pocketbook

Aiming to ensure assistance is delivered in the most appropriate, secure and effective way to victims of natural disasters, conflict and other crises around the world, this World Food Programme (WFP) Emergency Field Operations Pocketbook provides a range of information on relevant WFP policies, guidelines and procedures as well as check-lists for assessment, planning, monitoring and problem-solving field visits and cross-references to more detailed guidance when it exists. Supporting the work of WFP staff and partners working in emergency situations, the pocketbook brings together and synthesizes WFP's latest policies, procedures and knowledge relevant to work in emergencies.

Handbook for Emergencies, 2nd Edition

With its particular focus on coordination priorities, contingency and operational planning, this handbook on refugee emergencies provides guidance with respect to:
• UNHCR’s principles: UNHCR's mandate, aim and principles of emergency response
• Emergency management
• Operations: Vital sectors and problem areas in refugee emergencies
• Support to operations
In addition, sections on staff safety, working with military personnel and how to cope with personal stress are provided.

UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination Field Handbook

This handbook provides a quick a reference guide for the use of UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination Teams undertaking emergency missions, assisting in the accomplishment of tasks they may be expected to perform on mission. It discusses issues relating to the mission cycle, commencing with preparation prior to a mission, through various stages of a mission until termination and debriefing, provides checklists and description of coordination structures in the field as well as data for everyday use, such as composition of medical kits, security precautions, characteristics of operating in different climatic conditions and terrain.

Joint Assessment Guidelines (with Tools and Resource Materials)

This document provides guidelines to ensure effective collaboration in the planning and organization of all joint UNHCR-WFP assessment activities, adherence to agreed procedures and standards, the consistent production of reliable information, and the effective use and analysis of that information. The aim of these guidelines is to ensure effective collaboration in the planning and organization of all joint UNHCR-WFP assessment activities, adherence to agreed procedures and standards, the consistent production of reliable information, and the effective use and analysis of that information.

ReliefWeb – Manuals & Guidelines

In order to encourage professional networking within the humanitarian sector, ReliefWeb has developed the following directory of peer groups, or 'Communities of Practice'.