Understanding the 4 main humanitarian principles

by dahbaao · Published July 21, 2024 · Updated July 22, 2024

Four main Humanitarian principles

Understanding the principles of humanitarian is a great assets for individual, organization, and community. Humanitarian activities are guided by the humanitarian principles.

To deliver humanitarian services accurately and based on respecting the right and dignity of the people you must follow the teaching of humanitarian principles in your services.

In this article we are going to talk about the four humanitarian principles.

The principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence are fundamental to humanitarian action. Humanity means that human suffering must be addressed wherever it is found, with particular attention to the most vulnerable.

All the humanitarian Non-governmental actions are guided by the humanitarian these principles, in this section we are going talk about humanitarian principles thoroughly.

The 4 main humanitarian principles

1. Humanity: Humanitarian principles

The Humanity is the first principle of humanitarian, which means that all humankind shall be treated equally with respect regardless of their age, gender, race, religious, economic status, or education background.

This means giving them help in any situations that are in need to save their life and alleviate their suffering.

2. Impartiality: Humanitarian principles

When giving the humanitarian assistance to the people in need, the state of equality and balance should be respected and maintain without showing any discrimination.

The principle of Impartiality makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions.

It endeavors to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

3. Neutrality: Humanitarian principles

Neutrality means that the humanitarian aid must not favor any side in an armed conflict or other disputes including political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

According to the principle of neutrality, to be neutral means not taking sides in a conflict, whether directly or by allying oneself with one or another party to the conflict.

4. Independence: Humanitarian principles

The principles of independence, means the autonomy of humanitarian objectives from political, economic, military or other objectives.

The humanitarian Non-governmental organization should form their policies independently of government policies.

According to Wikipedia about the principle of Independence, Said “although there are auxiliaries in the humanitarian services and subject to the laws of their countries, must maintain their autonomy from political, economic, military or any other others and to be able at all times to act in accordance with the humanitarian principles.

Humanitarian Principle are the set of rules that guide humanitarian actions, they provide sense of purpose to the Organization and are:

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement refer to seven fundamental principles:

Humanity
Impartiality
Neutrality
Independence
Voluntary Service
Unity
Universality.

IHL Principles refers

Humanity
Impartiality
Neutrality
Independence and Others

UN resolutions relating to armed conflict refers to the four humanitarian principles

Humanity
Impartiality
Neutrality and
Independence.

These 4 humanitarian principles, derived from international humanitarian law, have been approved by the 2 United Nations General Assembly under the Resolutions 46/182 and 58/114.

Their global recognition and relevance is further underscored by the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations in Disaster Relief and the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability

Non-governmental organization such medicine Sans frontiers’s action are guided by the humanitarian principles. Not only the MSF, every other NGOs action are guided by those principles.