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Resolution 5: The safety and security of humanitarian volunteers

Report on resolution 5:

– Date: 26.07.2019

– Country: Switzerland

– Type of entity:  State 

Did your Government take any action to improve the safety and security of humanitarian volunteers and minimize inherent risks?
Yes

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– a national system for the collection and dissemination of comprehensive data, including sex and age disaggregated data
 – measures to promote public understanding and acceptance of the role of humanitarian volunteers,
 – integration of measures to protect volunteer safety and security in national laws,
 – policies, plans and programmes for emergency management
 – measures to hold perpetrators of crimes against humanitarian volunteers accountable
 – regularly share challenges and good practices
 – considered providing support to other countries, as donors, in accordance with national legislation and the humanitarian principles
 – Offering/Sharing expertise and resources

What measures have your public authorities undertaken to provide direct or indirect support for the insurance or equivalent “safety net” assistance for volunteers of National Societies and other actors deploying humanitarian volunteers within their territories? 
• Switzerland continues to support the Center of Competence in humanitarian negotiations (ICRC, UNHCR; WFP, MSF, HD) in Geneva. Negotiation capacities at the frontlines are an important factor regarding the security and safety of humanitarian workers, including volunteers.
• Switzerland supports endeavours to disseminate IHL, especially to armed groups. This can contribute to the security of humanitarians / volunteers.
• Switzerland stresses the importance of full implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution on Attacks on hospitals (Res 2286). Often, volunteers are involved in medical activities. Therefore, engagements for the protection of the medical mission also protect volunteers.
• Switzerland advocates for the non-criminalisation of medical assistance as well as principled humanitarian action more generally in counter-terrorism contexts. This is an important aspect to protect volunteers from prosecution and to ensure that principled humanitarian engagements can continue in such contexts.

Report on resolution 5– download