The IASC Guidelines on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action are underpinned by principles that guarantee that the rights of persons with disabilities will be respected, protected andpromoted throughout humanitarian preparedness, response and recovery.
The CRPD includes several principles that are applicable to humanitarian action.19 They include: respect for inherent dignity; participation and inclusion; non-discrimination and equality of opportunity;and equality between men and women. More specific but equally important principles include: accessibility; respect for difference;acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity; respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities;individual autonomy including freedom to make one's own choices; and independence of persons.
These principles are closely linked to each right affirmed by the Convention. If implemented alongside humanitarian principlesand standards, including the Humanitarian Charter and the Code of Conduct, they guarantee that persons with disabilities will be included in all phases of humanitarian preparedness and response.
Humanitarian action is also informed by the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence set out in GeneralAssembly resolutions. 20 These principles are central to the work of humanitarian organizations, many of which make additional commitments to protecthuman rights, respect the inherent dignity of affected populations, and strengthen accountability, by endorsing a code ofconduct or endorsing and implementing the nine commitments of the Core Humanitarian Standard. The humanitarian principles underline that it is essential to maintain and improve the accountability, quality and performanceof humanitarian action. They are critical to efforts to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitariansettings.