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
19 Years Later EO 13224 Continues to Block Humanitarian Aid. It’s Time for an Update
by Kay Guinane Nineteen years ago today – Sept. 23, 2001- President George W. Bush signed Executive Order 13224, an emergency declaration responding to the 9/11 attacks that relied on sanctions authorities in the International
Upcoming Webinar: Sanctions Licensing Processes at OFAC and Commerce (BIS)
September 29, 1:00-2:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time RSVP Here Many nonprofit organizations operating across borders have to cope with the complex web of U.S. sanctions programs and the processes for obtaining licenses from the Office of
Treasury Issues New Guidance on Sudan and Darfur Sanctions
The U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued new guidance on its Sudan and Darfur sanctions programs. The new guidance clarifies that U.S. persons are no longer prohibited from engaging
Proposed Amendments Would Provide Information on Impact of Sanctions, Lessons Learned from CT Policies, and New Strategy to Reduce Derisking
Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) that have been inhibited in their work due to national security laws and policies could see some positive developments in three House of Representatives-passed amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act
Nonprofits Submit Comments to UN Special Rapporteur on Impact of U.S. Sanctions on Human Rights
On June 15, 2020, the Charity & Security Network (C&SN) partnered with the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) and the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) to explain how U.S. sanctions impede human rights
Abstract: Report Gives Recommendations on Payment Flows for Humanitarian Aid in Syria
A new report offers advice for banks, humanitarian organizations and donors to work together to move humanitarian program funds to aid civilians in need in Syria while complying with European Union (EU), U.S., and United