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
Trump Administration Issues Massive Sanctions on Venezuela
On 5 August 2019 the Trump Administration issued an executive order imposing additional sanctions on the Government of Venezuela that specifically allows “transactions related to provision of articles such as food, clothing and medicine intended to
OFAC Issues Regulations Implementing Global Magnitsky Sanctions
The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued final regulations (83 Fed. Reg. 30541, 31 CFR part 583) to implement the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (Pub. L. 114-328, Title XII, Subtitle F)
Report Examines Links Between Sanctions, Counterterrorism Measures and Humanitarian Action
In August 2017, Chatham House’s International Security Department and International Law Programme issued a report -- Recommendations for Reducing Tensions in the Interplay Between Sanctions, Counterterrorism Measures and Humanitarian Action -- that identifies concrete
Sanctions Bill Includes Counter-Terrorism Financing, Financial Access Language
An international sanctions bill primarily focused on Russia contains language devoted to countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) and supporting remittances to Somalia as well as wire transfers by legitimate entities. Countering America's Adversaries
UN Report Finds Sanctions Inhibiting Humanitarian Aid in Syria
A new report prepared for the United Nations (UN) Economic & Social Commission for Western Asia looks at the effects of sanctions encountered by those delivering humanitarian aid in Syria. Humanitarian Impact of Syria-Related
UN Ombudsperson Addresses Targeted Sanctions, Listing and Delisting Procedures
Responding to complaints about the lack of due process protections in the terrorist sanctions, and the listing and delisting procedures, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) established the Office of the Ombudsperson in Security