Protection

During armed conflict, civilians are often subjected to violence, abuse, coercion and deprivation. Experience shows that parties to conflict often violate the principles of distinction, proportion and precaution. It is thus incumbent on Humanitarian Coordinators, Humanitarian Country Teams and clusters to ensure that protection of all affected and at-risk persons informs humanitarian decision-making and response, including engagement with States and non-State parties to conflict.

Protection is a core priority of the IASC, ensuring the rights of all people affected by humanitarian crises are at the centre of humanitarian action. In their 2013 statement, the IASC Principals stressed the centrality of protection and recognized their responsibility to lead in this area, including through policy development, dialogue, advocacy and engagement with States. In 2016, the IASC Policy on Protection in Humanitarian Action emphasized the IASC’s commitment to prioritize protection and contribute to collective protection outcomes, including at the country level through the development of strategies to help Humanitarian Country Teams address the most critical and urgent risks and violations. The protection policy also emphasized the need to implement this commitment in all aspects of humanitarian action and across the humanitarian programme cycle.