In addition to the prohibition on material support to proscribed groups, sanctions programs imposed by the United Nations, the U.S. and the EU, among others, inhibits the delivery of lifesaving aid to many countries. These programs may prohibit the flow of goods without adequate protections for humanitarian action, or place restrictions on financial services that delay or prevent program funds from reaching programs. Examples of countries sanctioned by the U.S. include Cuba, Syria and North Korea, all of which experience humanitarian need.
Please also see our pages on Counter-terrorist Financing and Humanitarian Safeguards.
Featured Resources
Report Summary: Checking the President’s Sanctions Powers
June 10, 2021 In Checking the President’s Sanctions Power, a June 2021 report published by the Brennan Center for Justice, Andrew Boyle addresses many of the problems stemming from the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
Negative Impacts of Sanctions on Civil Society
U.S. sanctions have created significant challenges for civil society organizations operating in sanctioned countries or in areas controlled by sanctioned groups. This issue brief offers an overview of the negative impacts of sanctions on civil
C&SN Joins 40+ Groups in Letter to Biden Administration Urging Humanitarian Relief for Iran to Improve COVID Response
April 21, 2021 In a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, C&SN and over 40 organizations urged the administration to relieve sanctions
C&SN Joins 55 Organizations in Letter Calling on the Biden Administration to Address Humanitarian Concerns in Sanctions Review
March 26, 2021 In a letter to President Biden and other key policy makers, 55 organizations including the Charity & Security Network called on the administration to address a range of pressing humanitarian concerns in
Perils of Humanitarianism in Today’s World of Conflict
March 3, 2021 In this in-depth interview, C&SN Director Paul Carroll joins the host of Justice For All Now Hena Zuberi to discuss C&SN's work to protect and promote the ability of nonprofit groups to
Biden Administration Revokes Terrorist Designation of Houthis
The Biden Administration on February 16, 2021 removed Ansarallah (aka the Houthis) from two U.S. terrorist lists, less than three weeks after the group was added to the lists by the outgoing Trump administration. At