Compliance with national laws

The era of the 'cowboys' is long gone. Today, humanitarian agencies must comply with overlapping sets of regulations, those concerning registration and the scope of work, others governing their financial accountability and employment practices. Broadly, administrative compliance comprises an area of increasing attention, and in some states there is a marked drift of administrative regulation into obstruction and control. Of additional note, the past decade has seen increasing concern voiced over the impact on humanitarian action of international financial regulations designed to block funding flows to groups designated as terrorist.

Statue of Blind Justice outside of courthouse

Photo: Tim Evanson

Key actors

Works on the development international conventions, instruments, and tools aiming to assist with customs reforms and modernization

Assists National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to support their national authorities in developing and applying domestic disaster-related legislation, policies, and procedures

Its Civic Freedom Monitor lists for every country profile an overview of the constitutional framework and national laws and regulations affecting the non-profit sector

Key references

Resources related to the movement of consignments containing goods for humanitarian assistance produced by WCO Members, OCHA, and the IFRC

Guidelines helping governments to have adequate systems in place to facilitate and regulate outside humanitarian relief

Article outlining the types of regulatory problems that arise in both disasters and armed conflict, such as customs barriers, visa issues, and taxation of aid

PHAP certifications

Certification badge for International Legal Frameworks for Humanitarian Action (ILFHA)

Knowledge about the relevance of domestic law for international humanitarian action is covered by the International Legal Frameworks for Humanitarian Action (ILFHA) certification (competency statement 1.6).
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