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
UN HLR Highlights Impact of Sanctions on Humanitarian Work
A new High Level Review Compendium Report shows a changing attitude towards the effect of UN sanctions on counter-terrorism and humanitarian action. The report indicates a need to redefine and reinforce UN sanctions, as well
FATF Releases Guidance for Complying with UN’s Targeted Sanctions Regime
On June 28, 2013 the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) released an updated guidance for governments implementing financial sanctions in line with the United Nations Security Council resolutions relating to curtailing terrorist financing. FATF’s
UN Counterterrorism Framework: Key Programs and Tools
Terrorism has been on the modern international agenda since 1934, when the League of Nations discussed a draft convention for the prevention and punishment of terrorism. More recently, the United Nations (UN) has introduced
Treasury Eases Sanctions Restricting Aid to Iran
On Oct. 22, 2012, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a statement saying it will expedite its decision making process on license applications from American entities engaging in
Wikileaks Exposes Trove of Insight on U.S. Government Counterterrorism Rules and Charities
On Sept. 1, 2011, a searchable archive of over 250,000 unredacted U.S. State Department cables became available on the internet. The publication of the cables expanded a window on American diplomacy that first opened in November 2010 when
Treasury Posts Risk Matrix for Charities
In March 2007, without public announcement or comment, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) published a Risk Matrix for the Charitable Sector on its website. The Introduction of the publication