UN exempts humanitarian aid organizations from sanctions

The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution on Friday, December 9 exempting humanitarian aid organizations from UN sanctions, particularly frozen assets.

On December 20, the U.S. Department of Treasury also announced a number of amended regulations to ease the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Below is a statement from Anne Héry, Humanity & Inclusion's Advocacy Director:

“We are thrilled by the UN Security Council’s decision to exempt humanitarian organizations from UN sanctions regimes and applaud the leadership of the USA and Ireland in this matter. UN sanctions are an important instrument for fighting those who pose a threat to peace and security, but we have long documented and denounced their unintended negative consequences for humanitarian organizations, as they seriously impede the ability of humanitarian organizations to provide life-saving assistance in a timely manner. The Security Council’s decision will significantly reduce the legal, administrative, and practical burdens that these sanctions have created for humanitarian action. We call on States to swiftly and fully integrate this resolution in national and regional legislation.

"Two weeks ago, the United Nations launched the biggest appeal in its history (53 billion euros) for an estimated 339 million people in need of assistance in 69 countries in 2023. More than 100 million people worldwide are refugees, fleeing violence and crisis (UNHCR, June 2022).

"We hail this decision by the Security Council that will help ensure that humanitarian organizations are better equipped to respond to the tremendous challenges and needs ahead.”