Observing humanitarian principles
- Humanity
- Neutrality
- Impartiality
- Independence
Following international standards for action
- Provide lifesaving essential services, including sanitation, water and hygiene; food security and nutrition; shelter, settlement and non-food items; and health
- Know the standards for emergency response.
- Ensure your actions do not cause further harm.
- Be accountable to beneficiaries and donors.
Engaging with the humanitarian community
- Liaising with United Nation agencies which co-ordinate services and provide supplies
- Partnering with national and international non-governmental organisations
- Providing first hand and timely information
- Tapping into existing networks and avoiding duplicating efforts.
Humanitarian assistance is essential for people affected by natural disasters and other emergencies. The Church is very often already on the place of the disaster and knows the community. It can access remote and challenging places and has the trust of the people. The Church has buildings, schools and hospitals which are valuable assets in time of crisis. As the Church is a stable institution it can provide assistance in ways that support recovery and long-term development.
The Church responds with loving service, respecting the dignity of each person. Its humanitarian work is based on a human rights approach and faith leaders work to protect civilians in time of conflict. The Anglican Alliance is committed to bridge the gap between the local church response and the international secular humanitarian community. We are working within the Communion by ensuring a better understanding of the humanitarian system as well as outside the Communion by opening new ways of engagements for local faith communities.
You can get more information to help your disaster response from the downloads on this page.