Guidelines and Code of Conduct

Compliance with overly broad U.S. counterterrorism laws can force NGOs to violate the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s Principles of Conduct in Disaster Response Programmes. 

 

photo by Trygve.u

 

Guidelines and Codes of Conduct

Oxfam America Report: Managing Donor Risk when Building Partnerships

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Date: 
January 19, 2012

A December 2011 report by Oxfam America focuses on the complex nature of providing foreign aid, where donors must often assume risks related to corrupt governments and partners with low capacity to alleviate suffering. The report urges that, “instead of trying to avoid risk, donors should accept and manage the risks associated with building more-effective partnerships.” To navigate these risks, nine suggestions for donors are offered:

Manage the corruption risk:

Examples of Charitable Sector Standards

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The following are some of the many guidelines and best practice standards developed by charitable and philanthropic organizations.  They reflect due diligence practices that protect charitable assets to be used solely for charitable purposes.

2011 Sphere Handbook Includes Expanded Operating Standards for Humanitarian Responders

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Date: 
April 19, 2011

The 2011 edition of the Sphere Handbook was released on April 14. It includes a series of Core and Minimum Standards for humanitarian actors during all stages of the assistance process, from initial planning stages to the assessment of the aid delivery. Standards in the 2011 edition deal with four sets of life-saving areas: water and sanitation, food security, shelter, and health services. Learn more….

2011 Sphere Handbook Offers Expanded Operating Standards for Humanitarian Responders

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Date: 
April 15, 2011

As part of a global effort to improve the quality of humanitarian response to populations affected by disaster and armed conflict, the 2011 edition of the Sphere Handbook was released on April 14, 2011. The handbook describes the fundamental principles that govern humanitarian action during these times and offers “best practices” for all phases of humanitarian assistance. The 2011 edition includes a special focus on “Protection Principles,” which consider the protection and safety of at risk civilians affected by disaster or armed conflict as an integral part of humanitarian response. Hard copies of the Handbook can be purchased from the Sphere Project Website. 

Time to Let the Experts Define Due Diligence, Vetting for Charitable Programs

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Date: 
May 3, 2011
Author: 
Kay Guinane

At a hearing last month Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) complained to USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah that USAID has not implemented the Partner Vetting System (PVS). Kirk said the program would "ensure U.S.

Nonprofit Groups End Talks With Treasury about Ineffectual Guidelines

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Date: 
December 1, 2010

After seven years of meeting with Department of Treasury (Treasury) officials to amend the confusing and ineffective Anti-Terrorist Financing Guidelines: Voluntary Best Practices for U.S.-Based Charities (Guidelines), a coalition of over 70 U.S. nonprofits have decided to end the engagement. On Nov. 8, 2010, a letter sent by the nonprofit organizations cited Treasury’s “unwillingness to make any substantive changes to its approach—or to recognize the important role of global philanthropy in increasing national security through funding to address poverty, inequality, disease, and other pressing needs" as the reason for ending the discussions.  In a Nov. 22 press release, the nonprofit groups said they will continue their efforts to support and provide humanitarian aid overseas in a manner that is both effective and safe.

Treasury Comment Shows Nonprofits are Right to End Unproductive Dialog

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Date: 
December 1, 2010
Author: 
Kay Guinane

When a group of over 70 U.S. charities, foundations and legal experts wrote to the Department of Treasury on Nov. 8 ending a fruitless seven year dialog over the utility of Treasury's Anti-Terrorist Financing Guidelines: Voluntary Best Practices for U.S.-based Charities (Guidelines), the agency had an opportunity to acknowledge that, despite differences in opinion, it understands the vast majority of U.S. charities do good work in good faith.  

Report: Managing Risk Critical to Maximizing Humanitarian Impact

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Date: 
October 14, 2010

Managing a charitable organization’s risks might be the key to maximizing its humanitarian impact, says an October 2010 report by the European Interagency Security Forum (EISF). Beyond security concerns for staff working in dangerous places, the report says aid groups need to improve the way they understand and address risks even before leaving for the field.  Risks include slanderous attacks on a group’s reputation or challenges to their neutrality or independence from government or military actors. The report recommends the humanitarian sector develop and share flexible risk management strategies that can be adapted by groups to “facilitate sustained humanitarian access and impact” wherever they work.