Study of the Impact of Donor Counter-Terrorism Measures on Principled Humanitarian Action

The attacks on the United States on September 11th, 2001, ushered in a new era of expansive counter-terrorism laws and policies which have had an impact on the funding, planning and delivery of humanitarian assistance and protection activities to people in need.

This independent study, commissioned by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Norwegian Refugee Council on behalf of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), aims to increase the understanding of existing counter-terrorism laws and policies and their impact on our work. 

The study presents practical recommendations both for donors and humanitarian actors. If implemented, these recommendations could help resolve some of the challenges identified in the study and allow humanitarian actors to end some of the negative coping strategies that they employ on the ground. We are committed to ensuring, in open dialogue with donors and together with the IASC and other partners, that these recommendations are carefully considered and, where appropriate, implemented.