Assessing the Impact of Sanctions on Humanitarian Work – Side Event

Panel on 10 March 2023, 12:00 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Room XXII

The accelerating expansion of forms, types and terms of Unilateral Coercive Measures (UCM) is causing a growing range of consequences on the population as well as on humanitarian and faith-based organizations. While some sanctions have clearly designated targets, other sanctions target whole sectors and countries. The impact of sanctions often spreads well beyond their targets and harms the population and vulnerable groups, especially children and women. FBOs and humanitarian aid providers are forced to take into account the web of sanctions, not only to align their deliveries of aid with changing needs but also because aid organisations and FBOs are increasingly affected by sanctions themselves.

To better understand the impact of UCM, Caritas Internationalis, World Evangelical Alliance, World Council of Churches, and ACT Alliance, in partnership with the Graduate Institute, studied the challenges sanctions pose to the humanitarian work of their respective constituencies. Join us as we discuss the findings and policy recommendations of the joint research project titled Assessing the Impact of Sanctions on Humanitarian Work.

The report available on 10 March 2023 at https://un.worldea.org

Panellists

  • Ms Alena Douhan, Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights
  • Mr Peter Prove, Director of the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs at the World Council of Churches
  • Ms Maja Liechti, member of the student research team of the Graduate Institute
  • Mr Karam Yazbeck, Regional Coordinator, Caritas Middle East and North Africa
  • Mr Wissam al-Saliby, Director, Geneva Office, World Evangelical Alliance
  • Ms Marianna Leite, Head of Advocacy and Policy, ACT Alliance

Moderator: Ms Floriana Polito, Advocacy Officer Human Rights & Humanitarian Policy, Caritas Internationalis