Humanitarian glossary

A

Abuse prevention

Rules, training, supervision and reporting designed to prevent and address exploitation, violence and other harm linked to an activity.

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Access barrier

An obstacle preventing someone from receiving available aid, such as distance, cost, language or discrimination.

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Accessibility

The practical ability to use information, a place or a service despite physical, sensory, language, financial or digital barriers.

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Accessible information

Information shared in languages, formats and channels people can actually use.

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Accountability

Duty to inform crisis-affected people, listen to them and answer for the quality and impact of aid.

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Anticipatory action

Measure planned in advance and triggered by an agreed risk threshold before the forecast effects of a shock occur.

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C

Cash assistance

Money or vouchers that let affected people choose the priority goods and services they need.

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Child protection

Prevention of and response to violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect affecting children.

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Community engagement

Ongoing dialogue with affected people to understand their priorities and adapt decisions and services.

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Community sponsorship

Organized arrangement in which a local group supports the reception and inclusion of refugees within a defined framework.

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Complaint mechanism

Safe and accessible channel to ask questions, report problems, challenge a decision or request correction.

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Conflict analysis

Study of actors, causes, tensions and risks in a conflict so a response fits the context and limits harm.

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D

Disaggregated data

Data broken down by relevant characteristics, such as age or disability, to identify different needs and barriers.

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Disaster

Event causing serious disruption and needs that exceed a community’s usual capacity to cope.

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Durable solution

Long-term outcome allowing displaced people to live safely and rebuild their lives without displacement-related needs.

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E

Early recovery

Actions started during a crisis to restore services, local capacity and self-reliance as soon as possible.

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Early warning system

Arrangement that monitors hazards and communicates timely, understandable alerts so people can protect themselves.

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Emergency appeal

Public request for funding to support the response to a specified crisis.

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Emergency fund

Financial reserve that can be released quickly when a crisis begins or worsens.

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Emergency shelter

Temporary solution protecting displaced people from weather, danger and lack of privacy.

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Essential services

Services needed for life and dignity, including water, health, protection, food, sanitation and shelter according to context.

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F

Feedback and complaints mechanism

Accessible channel for questions, problem reports and a tracked response.

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Feedback channel

An accessible way for affected people to ask questions, report barriers or make complaints.

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Flexible funding

Resources an organization can redirect to verified needs as conditions change.

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Food assistance

Food, vouchers or cash provided to meet urgent dietary needs.

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Food security

Situation in which everyone has lasting physical and economic access to adequate food.

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Forced displacement

Movement imposed by conflict, persecution, disaster or another serious threat.

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H

Humanitarian access

Ability of responders to safely reach affected people and of people to obtain assistance.

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Humanitarian aid

Impartial assistance intended to save lives, relieve suffering and preserve dignity during crises.

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Humanitarian cluster

Sector coordination group bringing together organizations, authorities and specialists in one response area.

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Humanitarian coordination

Joint organization of responders to share information, divide roles and reduce gaps.

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Humanitarian corridor

Negotiated route temporarily allowing safer movement of civilians or relief supplies.

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Humanitarian logistics

Planning of aid procurement, transport, storage and distribution.

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Humanitarian voucher

Paper or digital entitlement exchangeable for defined goods or services through authorized providers.

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I

Impartiality

Principle requiring aid to be provided according to need alone, without adverse discrimination.

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In-kind donation

Donation of goods or services rather than money, most useful when answering a confirmed request.

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Informed consent

Free, understandable agreement after clear information about use, risks and the option to refuse.

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Internally displaced person (IDP)

Person forced from home who has not crossed an international border.

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International humanitarian law

Rules limiting the effects of armed conflict and protecting people not taking part in hostilities.

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International NGO (INGO)

Non-governmental organization operating in several countries or through an international network.

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L

Legal assistance

Information, advice or support from qualified people to understand and exercise rights.

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Livelihoods

Activities, resources and abilities enabling a person or household to meet needs sustainably.

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Localisation

Increasing the role, funding and decision-making power of local and national responders.

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Local partner

An organization or institution in the affected area involved in analysis, decisions, delivery or review of a response.

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M

Malnutrition

Condition caused by inadequate intake or absorption of nutrients, including deficiency, excess or imbalance.

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Market assessment

Analysis of availability, prices, access and risks before choosing cash, vouchers or goods.

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Mental health and psychosocial support

Support for the psychological and social well-being of people affected by crisis.

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Multipurpose cash assistance

Financial support intended to cover several essential needs that a household prioritizes according to its situation.

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N

National committee

A network or agency body in one country, often responsible for outreach, partnerships or fundraising according to its mandate.

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Needs assessment

Collection and analysis of information to identify who needs what, where and how urgently.

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Neutrality

Principle of not taking sides in hostilities or political, racial, religious or ideological controversies.

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NGO

Non-governmental organization, generally nonprofit and independent from governments.

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Non-food item (NFI)

Essential item other than food, such as a blanket, soap, container, clothing or cooking utensil.

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O

OCHA

United Nations office responsible for coordinating international humanitarian response in emergencies.

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Official alert

A dated warning from a competent authority describing a hazard and actions to take.

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Operating costs

Expenses needed to run an organization, such as training, safety, accounting, premises and oversight.

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P

Post-distribution monitoring

Collecting feedback after aid to assess access, use, effects and problems people encountered.

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Pre-positioning

Placing supplies or preparing capacity near exposed areas in advance to speed up a response.

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Protection

Actions seeking respect for the rights, safety and dignity of people exposed to harm.

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R

Referral pathway

Documented process for connecting a person, with consent and confidentiality, to a competent service or professional.

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Refugee

Person outside their country with a well-founded fear of persecution who receives international protection.

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Resilience

Ability of a person or community to absorb a shock, adapt and recover.

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Risk communication

Exchange of information and advice between responsible bodies and people facing a hazard so they can make informed decisions.

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Rumour during a crisis

Unconfirmed information circulating during a crisis that must be checked before it is shared.

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S

Safeguarding

Measures embedded in activities to prevent, report and respond to harm, abuse, exploitation or neglect linked to an organization.

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Service mapping

Current inventory of available services, eligibility and contact points used to guide safe referrals.

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Sphere standards

International references setting minimum requirements for humanitarian quality and accountability.

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Stateless person

Person whom no state considers a national under the operation of its law.

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Supply chain

Procurement, checks, transport and storage needed to make supplies available in the right place.

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T

Targeted distribution

Delivery of aid to people identified using criteria that are explained, checked and adapted to the context.

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U

Unrestricted donation

Contribution an organization may direct to the greatest need rather than a specified program.

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V

Volunteer

Person freely giving time and skills without receiving a salary.

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W

WASH

Sector covering safe water, sanitation, waste management and hygiene practices.

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