Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief

The appearance of a Code of Conduct setting standards for the work of NGOs involved in the provision of humanitarian aid is a significant and welcome step – all the moreso because it is a collaborative product of many of the largest non-governmental agencies within the International Relief System.

Whilst some RRN members may already have received copies of the Code as a result of their agency’s involvement in its preparation, many members may not have seen it yet and some may even be unaware of its existence. The intention of reproducing the Code in the form of a Network Paper is to ensure that RRN members are able to study the Code and participate in discussions on its virtues.

The text of the Code provides surprisingly little information on its origins, the process by which it was developed and how it is expected to operate in practice. Such information provides the necessary context for any assessment of the Code’s significance and value and also for any discussion over the actual text of the Code. This Preface is intended to provide such background information so as to give RRN members a sufficient basis upon which to make their assessment of the Code. It has been prepared by the RRN Coordinator drawing on discussions with some of the individuals involved in the preparation of the Code. The actual text and contents of the Code have not been commented upon. Instead the RRN intends to monitor the reaction to the Code and facilitate the debate over its strengths and weaknesses. RRN members are strongly encouraged to use the RRN as a forum for exchanging views on the Code.

The Code itself then follows: 10 principles for those working in disaster relief with a short gloss following each. Finally, there are three annexes concerned in turn with the governments of disaster-affected areas, donor governments and intergovernmental organisations.