Common standard 7: aid worker competencies and responsibilities
Aid workers possess appropriate qualifications, attitudes and experience to plan and effectively implement appropriate programmes. |
Key indicators (to be read in conjunction with the guidance notes)
Aid workers have relevant technical qualifications and knowledge of local cultures and customs, and/or previous emergency experience. Workers are also familiar with human rights and humanitarian principles.
Staff are knowledgeable about the potential tensions and sources of conflict within the disaster-affected population itself and with host communities. They are aware of the implications of delivering humanitarian assistance, and pay particular attention to vulnerable groups (see guidance note 1).
Staff are able to recognise abusive, discriminatory or illegal activities, and refrain from such activities (see guidance note 2).
Guidance notes
1. Staff need to be aware of the extent to which crimes of violence, including rape and other forms of brutality against women, girls and boys, can increase during times of crisis. Fear of harassment and rape forces women into forming alliances with soldiers and other men in positions of authority or power. Young males are vulnerable to forced conscription into fighting forces. Staff and field partners should know how to refer women, men and children seeking redress for human rights violations, and be familiar with procedures for referring survivors of rape and sexual violence for counselling, medical or contraceptive care.
2. Staff must understand that responsibility for control over the management and allocation of the valuable resources involved in disaster response programmes puts them and others involved in their delivery in a position of relative power over other people. Staff must be alert to the danger that this power may be corruptly or abusively exercised. Staff should be aware that women and children are frequently coerced into humiliating, degrading or exploitative behaviour. Sexual activity cannot be required in exchange for humanitarian assistance nor should aid workers be party to any such forms of exchange. Activities such as forced labour and illicit drug use and trading are also prohibited.
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