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
OFAC License Intended to Ease Humanitarian Aid to Iran
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Feb. 27, 2020 issued General License 8 “Authorizing Certain Humanitarian Trade Transactions Involving the Central Bank of Iran” and related FAQs in conjunction with the formalization of the Swiss
Ilhan Omar Introduces “Pathway to Peace” Legislation
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) introduced a package of bills on Feb. 12 that seek to redefine U.S. foreign policy with a new progressive baseline, which she dubbed the “Pathway to Peace.” One bill, the Congressional
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
Report Summary: Making Sanctions Smarter – Safeguarding Humanitarian Action
In Making Sanction Smarter: Safeguarding Humanitarian Action Alice Debarre of the International Peace Institute argues that although sanctions regimes are used with the assumption that they minimize harm, they actually can devastate civilian populations, particularly
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