Humanitarian Assistance 4: NGOs’ Rights and Responsibilities for Humanitarian Access

Summary: In recent years, humanitarian organizations have seen a rise in constraints on their access to vulnerable populations in times of conflict or internal disturbance. While international law provides important bases for humanitarian NGOs to obtain access to populations in need, it also imposes clear responsibilities on humanitarian organizations in terms of the maintenance of a neutral, independent and impartial approach to such situations. The discussion was moderated by Dustin Lewis (Program Associate, HPCR) and Christina Blunt (ATHA Coordinator, HPCR). Panelists included: Ashley Jackson (Research Fellow, Overseas Development Institute) and Dr. Heike Spieker (Deputy DIrector, International Services/ National Relief Division of German Red Cross)