DFID's humanitarian aid: why principles matter
Ensuring that humanitarian aid delivers results for victims of natural disasters and conflict has never been more critical. Complacency, in a world where crises are increasing both in strength and in frequency, is not an option.
The UK's humanitarian policy, 'Saving lives, preventing suffering and building resilience' outlines how the UK will help build resilience to crises and respond to humanitarian need. It makes a series of commitments to:
- build resilience in all countries where we work and recognise the importance of anticipation, humanitarian leadership and innovation;
- address the UK's commitments to deliver aid according to need and need alone;
- adhere to international laws on humanitarian action;
- respect humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence; and
- apply the Good Humanitarian Donorship principles.
As well as covering sudden emergencies, the policy also deals with the challenges of complex, chronic humanitarian situations. It outlines the UK's ambition to work with others to find new ways of acting quickly in 'slow onset' disasters to stop them from becoming major emergencies.
We have the greatest respect for the neutrality, independence and impartiality of humanitarian agencies, and the extraordinary job done by humanitarian workers in the most difficult of circumstances.
It is only through maintaining and promoting a principled approach that we can challenge those who deny humanitarian access. Through our policy and action we will ensure that British humanitarian aid delivers rapid and effective support to people who need it most, provides value for money, and protects the safety of humanitarian workers.