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
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
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