Protection Mainstreaming Guidance

October 2015

Protection Mainstreaming Guidance

What is protection mainstreaming?

Protection mainstreaming is the process of incorporating protection principles and promoting

meaningful access, safety and dignity in humanitarian action. It is about “how” humanitarian
action is performed. The following elements must be taken into account in all humanitarian
action:

1. Prioritize safety & dignity, and avoid causing harm

Identify the physical and psychological threats populations can face in accessing your services,
and act to prevent, minimize, or mitigate their negative effects.

2. Meaningful Access
Arrange for people’s access to assistance and services - in proportion to need and without any
barriers (e.g. discrimination). Pay special attention to individuals and groups who may be
particularly vulnerable or have difficulty accessing assistance and services.

3. Accountability
Set-up appropriate mechanisms through which affected populations can measure the quality of
interventions, and address concerns and complaints.

4. Participation and empowerment

Support the development of self-protection capacities and assist people to obtain the knowledge,
resources, and capacities necessary to claim their rights.

Why is the mainstreaming of protection important?

Humanitarian agencies increasingly recognise that it is not acceptable to focus on material needs
without considering protection principles. Protection considerations include: safety and dignity,
ensuring meaningful access, being accountable, and ensuring participation of all groups in the
disaster-affected population. All humanitarian actors have an ethical responsibility to mainstream
protection into humanitarian response programs.

The centrality of protection was affirmed in the IASC Principals Statement on Protection in 17
December 2013, which stated that “Protection of all persons affected and at risk must inform
humanitarian decision-making and response… It must be central to our preparedness efforts, as
part of immediate and life-saving activities, and throughout the duration of humanitarian response
and beyond.”

Who is responsible?

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Effective protection of disaster affected populations is increasingly viewed as a central concern of
agency practice in humanitarian response. It is no longer considered acceptable for humanitarian
actors to focus on material needs without considering the safety, dignity and rights of individuals,
groups, and disaster-affected populations. Primary responsibility for assistance and protection lies
with states, which have legal obligations to protect, promote and fulfil the human rights of all
persons within their territory, in accordance with the standards of international humanitarian law
(IHL), international human rights law (IHRL), and refugee law. Other actors, such as armed
actors, have legal protection responsibilities under IHL. Some humanitarian actors have special
mandates to protect, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Some humanitarian actors including Non-
Governmental Organisations (NGOs) employ protection officers and advisors and implement
specialist protection programmes, such as prevention and response to Gender-Based Violence
(GBV), child protection programmes, or legal assistance programmes. Not all humanitarian
agencies are expected to implement protection programmes, or have the necessary staff and skills
to do so. However, all humanitarian actors have an ethical responsibility to incorporate protection
principles into their humanitarian response programmes. Humanitarian actors frequently
encounter situations where disaster-affected populations face specific protection risks and where
states and other responsible authorities are either unwilling or unable to fulfil their protection
responsibilities. While assessment, analysis and response to specific protection risks is best
undertaken by trained protection or human rights actors, all humanitarian actors must be able, at a
minimum, to minimise harm, implement their activities in as safe and dignified a manner as
possible, and promote safety for disaster-affected populations. Humanitarian actors must also be
able to recognise protection issues and support affected individuals and populations to access
appropriate care and support, recover from abuse, claim their rights and access available remedies.

How to mainstream protection in humanitarian action?

Humanitarian action must be grounded in a collective protection analysis informed by a) a deep

understanding of the dynamics within, perspectives of, and resources available within affected
communities and b) an understanding of the external environment (national, international
political and security dynamics) impacting on their situation. This can only be achieved by taking
the perspectives of affected communities - and the diverse perspectives and experiences within
those communities - as our starting point. Hence the critical role of community participation in
the assessment, design and delivery process.

The protection analysis is a continuous activity. It needs to start right at the beginning of the
emergency phase, when the protection risks are often most acute and hence a rapid understanding
of the protection environment is particularly critical, but should be refined and deepened through
a more structured process as part of the Humanitarian Programme Cycle, and informed by robust.

A protection analysis for Yemen is presented in ANNEX 2 of this note. It goes without saying
that in the volatile situation of the crisis in Yemen, such analysis needs to be regularly updated
based on relevant information from continuous protection monitoring and ongoing field presence.

In order to operationalize protection mainstreaming, clusters need to ask themselves whether the
core protection principles have been taken into account in planning, implementation and
monitoring. In order to assist the clusters we provided below (ANNEX 1) for each cluster a
number of specific suggested actions that when implemented can contribute to humanitarian
action adequately and effectively addressing protection concerns.

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Indicators linked to the key protection principles and common to all clusters will help evaluate
the degree to which the clusters have integrated protection in their activities. They need to be
monitored throughout the HRP implementation in 2016.

Safety & dignity, and avoid causing harm

Safety can be impeded by physical threats such as violence, assault, coercion and environmental
threats. Dignity can be impeded by physical and psychological threats such as lack of respect,
lack of confidentiality and privacy, and lack of consultation and participation. Humanitarian
actors need to ensure that the manner in which their assistance is administered and delivered does
not increase a group’s or person’s safety and security risks.

Indicators:
Services and facilities are available in safe locations, and locations that are accessible in
safety.
Access to services respects the culture and customs of the community, and promotes the
integrity of the family and community.

Meaningful Access
Access can be hampered by conflict and/or insecurity and violence, the presence of landmines,
checkpoints and blockades, inaccessible locations for particularly vulnerable individuals and
groups, or denial of access for reasons of belonging to a particular ethnic or religious.

Indicators:
Disaggregated data is used (women, men, girls, boys)
Specific needs, including based on age, gender and diversity, are taken into account in
planning, implementation and monitoring of humanitarian action

Accountability
Accountability is about giving account, ensuring communication approaches that include the
widest spectrum of the community; taking account, establishing a two way communication
ensuring the community becomes more empowered and is directly engaged in decision-making;
and being held to account, providing the community the opportunity to assess and, where feasible,
alter or sanction the activities and decisions of humanitarian actors.

Indicators:
Humanitarian information systems communicate effectively with affected communities
and other local actors
Affected populations have opportunity to register complaints, provide feedback and to get
a response

Participation and empowerment

Effective participation is about taking the perspectives of affected communities - and the diverse
perspectives and experiences within those communities - as the starting point for the assessment,
design and delivery of humanitarian action.

Indicators:
Active and effective participation of affected people both in planning, response and
monitoring processes
Number of consultations with affected people both in planning, response and monitoring
processes

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ANNEX 1

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROMOTE PROTECTION

CAMP COORDINATION AND CAMP MANAGEMENT (CCCM)

WHY PROTECTION IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR WORK

In times of armed conflict, post-conflict, rapid and slow-onset of natural disasters, and protracted social conflict the
risks of abuse, violence and exploitation increase as families are separated, community structures disrupted, and
livelihoods interrupted. New risks and threats are triggered by the emergency, by individual and community
coping strategies and by the way in which assistance is organized and delivered. To avoid common mistakes, all
aid workers must ensure that actions do not create new safety and security concerns and that safety and security
considerations are present in all service delivery actions. Below are some simple actions you can take and adapt
to your local reality to promote protection in your sector response.
KEY ACTIONS FOR THE CAMP COORDINATION AND MANAGEMENT SECTOR OR CLUSTER

- Understand your local context and prior to identifying camp location engage in discussion with
surrounding communities and local government to ensure acceptance and compliance with national law.
- Involve the view of the different groups within the affected population in the design and layout of the camp
and in its facilities so that it responds to perceived needs and threats.
- Create a center where people can get information, in their own language, on rules and regulations within
the camp, basic services provided, food distribution points, local security situation, home of origin news,
location of family members and on mine awareness.
- Ensure there is an open communication flow between camp staff and camp residents so that they can voice
felt needs and threats and opinions (sometimes through a complaints box or the incorporation of resident
representatives in camp coordination group).
- Ensure that camp registration is done in a way that responds to defined criteria, is open and done in a public
manner.
- Maintain a system of information about camp population disaggregated by age and gender and by those
with special needs.
- Work with authorities to issue birth, death and other legal identification documents.
- When possible procure goods/inputs locally to ensure support of existing resources and local productive
networks.
- Understand who your affected population is and ensure that assessment tools are collecting disaggregated
data and that you are taking into consideration all the diverse groups that exist within it: i.e. men, women,
children, older persons, special needs, minorities, etc. in your differentiated response.
- Ensure that all camp management staff understands the principle of non-discrimination.
- Ensure that all services are free of charge.
- Be aware of socially discriminatory practices existing in the affected populations and monitor so that they
does not negatively impact camp dynamics.
- Ensure that camp management staff is diverse and well represents affected population in its totality.
- Post signs, in local language, that indicate clearly that abuse and exploitation (including sexual exploitation
or the bartering of services) are prohibited, by camp member or camp staff.
- Establish protocols for offenders and victims within the camp and ensure redress mechanisms are clearly
spelled out.
- Ensure that you are working with appropriate authorities to remove weapons from the camp, when relevant.
- Establish a camp committee made up of women, men and youth to report concerns, abuses and violations
and to make recommendations for improvements.
- Work to ensure that child play zones are away from hazardous sites, including garbage dumps, roads and
open wells.
- Establish and immediately implement a plan of action to help prevent separations and reunite families.
- Set up and implement a referral system for separated and vulnerable children and ensure it links up to the
local child protection focal point.
- Be aware of firewood considerations (who collects it, where is it) and ensure you have a plan for the safety
of the community members involved i.e. women, children.
- Promote fuel efficient stoves to cut down on risks involved in the collection of firewood.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROMOTE PROTECTION

EDUCATION
WHY PROTECTION IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR WORK

In times of armed conflict, post-conflict, rapid and slow-onset of natural disasters, and protracted social conflict the
risks of abuse, violence and exploitation increase as families are separated, community structures disrupted, and
livelihoods interrupted. New risks and threats are triggered by the emergency, by individual and community
coping strategies and by the way in which assistance is organized and delivered. To avoid common mistakes, all
aid workers must ensure that actions do not create new safety and security concerns and that safety and security
considerations are present in all service delivery actions. Below are some simple actions you can take and adapt
to your local reality to promote protection in your sector response.

KEY ACTIONS FOR THE EDUCATION SECTOR OR CLUSTER

- Understand the local education system and context and build your response on all positive aspects of that
foundation.
- Before starting any activity consult with affected population and identify felt vocational and education
needs, threats and opinions.
- Identify community education leaders and existing local education actors and when appropriate engage
them in the assistance process.
- Post, in local language, school rules, times and contact personnel.
- Set up an education committee that includes participation of parents and equal representation of camp
groups that promotes constant communication exchanges about education services, concerns and
suggestions for improvements.
- When possible procure goods/inputs locally to ensure support of existing resources and local productive
networks.
- Understand who your affected population is and ensure that assessment tools are collecting disaggregated
data and that you are taking into consideration all the diverse groups that exist within it: i.e. men, women,
children, older persons, special needs, minorities, etc. in your differentiated response.
- Ensure that all education staff understands the principle of non-discrimination.
- Ensure that all services are free of charge.
- Ensure education and recreation activities that promote and enable equal participation by girls and boys and
by children who have disabilities.
- Ensure teachers represent all different groups present in affected population (including older men and
women) and that they serve as role models.
- Get children back to school (non-formal or formal settings) as soon as possible.
- Post signs, in local language, that indicate clearly that abuse and exploitation (including sexual exploitation
or the bartering of services) are prohibited by all, including staff.
- Ensure that education facilities are in a safe and central space and environment.
- Create adult-supervised education activities that promote safety and positive social integration.
- Establish play areas which are free from hazards and that promote singing, dancing, drawing and
storytelling.
- Escort girls to and from school, if necessary, in order to protect them from sexual violence that can occur
en route to and from school.
- Encourage children to participate in identifying safety risks and in generating ideas with them about how to
reduce those risks.
- Ensure that schools have water and sanitation facilities that are separate for boys and girls and are located
in safe areas in or close to the school.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROMOTE PROTECTION
HEALTH

WHY PROTECTION IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR WORK

In times of armed conflict, post-conflict, rapid and slow-onset of natural disasters, and protracted social conflict the
risks of abuse, violence and exploitation increase as families are separated, community structures disrupted, and
livelihoods interrupted. New risks and threats are triggered by the emergency, by individual and community
coping strategies and by the way in which assistance is organized and delivered. To avoid common mistakes, all
aid workers must ensure that actions do not create new safety and security concerns and that safety and security
considerations are present in all service delivery actions. Below are some simple actions you can take and adapt
to your local reality to promote protection in your sector response.

KEY ACTIONS FOR THE HEALTH SECTOR OR CLUSTER

- Understand the local health system and its context and build response upon that foundation.
- Consult with affected population and identify felt health needs, threats and opinions.
- Identify local health leaders and organizations and when appropriate engage them in the assistance process.
- Learn about, respect and promote traditional health practices that are healing and helpful and strive to
eliminate harmful practices that affect the health of women, children and adolescents.
- Ensure feed-back mechanisms and open communication between community representatives and health
services (complaints box or health community group which includes community representatives).
- Ensure that individuals are informed and provide consent before any health intervention.
- Develop and post “patient rights” in local language that clearly states how to access service, expectations
and rules.
- When possible procure goods/inputs locally to ensure support of existing resources and local productive
networks.
- Understand who your affected population is and ensure that assessment tools are collecting disaggregated
data and that you are taking into consideration all the diverse groups that exist within it: i.e. men, women,
children, older persons, special needs, minorities, etc. in your differentiated response.
- Ensure that all health staff understands the principle of non-discrimination.
- Ensure that all services are free of charge.
- Ensure that health staff is representative of affected population (including older persons) and is made up of
women and men that speak the local language and that belong to the different groups attended
- Ensure that your health service delivery system includes community health workers that conduct outreach
activities to identify those too sick to visit clinics.
- Establish protocols for referral of pre-natal care and ensure that all pregnant and nursing women are fully
and directly informed of these services
- Ensure that women and girls have supplies of culturally appropriate sanitarian materials and nappies for
older persons
- Ensure that health team represents all different groups present in affected population.
- Post signs, in local language, that indicate clearly that abuse and exploitation (including sexual exploitation
or the bartering of services) are prohibited by all, including staff.
- Ensure that medical facilities are in a dignified, safe and common area for all to access.
- Ensure the principles of confidentiality in service.
- If a child is admitted, assure that the child is accompanied by a parent or caregiver and ensure that family
separation is not taking place.
- Ensure that health workers are able to identify gender based violence and child abuse and that referral
protocols and redress mechanisms are in place.
- Ensure that a referral system and attention exists for psycho-social cases including alcohol abuse.
- Establish health education for families including topics of reproductive health and public health
importance, including sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS and pregnancy prevention.
- Work with relevant health authorities to ensure continuity of care for those with chronic health
conditions .and those who need regular medication or medical supervision.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROMOTE PROTECTION
WATER/SANITATION AND HYGIENE

WHY PROTECTION IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR WORK

In times of armed conflict, post-conflict, rapid and slow-onset of natural disasters, and protracted social conflict the
risks of abuse, violence and exploitation increase as families are separated, community structures disrupted, and
livelihoods interrupted. New risks and threats are triggered by the emergency, by individual and community
coping strategies and by the way in which assistance is organized and delivered. To avoid common mistakes, all
aid workers must ensure that actions do not create new safety and security concerns and that safety and security
considerations are present in all service delivery actions. Below are some simple actions you can take and adapt
to your local reality to promote protection in your sector response.

KEY ACTIONS FOR THE WATER/SANITATION AND HYGIENE SECTOR OR CLUSTER

- Understand the local context and the way water and sanitation and hygiene services are delivered and work
on that foundation.
- Consult with affected population and identify water/sanitation and hygiene felt needs, threats and opinions.
- Set up water/sanitation and hygiene community group where community members have representation and
are able to communicate opinions on the services, concerns and suggestions for improvements.
- Develop and post rules and regulations, in local language, concerning water and sanitation and hygiene
facilities.
- When possible procure goods/inputs locally to ensure support of existing resources and local productive
networks.
- Understand who your affected population is and ensure that assessment tools are collecting disaggregated
data and that you are taking into consideration all the diverse groups that exist within it: i.e. men, women,
children, older persons, minorities, etc. as well as the different roles each plays in your water/sanitation and
hygiene management response.
- Ensure that all water and sanitation and hygiene staff understands principle of non-discrimination.
- Ensure that all services are free of charge.
- Ensure that latrines are accessible by children, by adjusting size of openings or height of facilities
- Ensure that people with disabilities and older persons have latrines that work for them
- Provide jerry cans or other water collection containers of a size and shape that children, women and older
persons can carry safely
- Ensure that people working in this sector are representative of the affected population, including older
women.
- Post signs, in local language, that indicate clearly that abuse and exploitation (including sexual exploitation
or the bartering of services) are prohibited by all including staff.
- Be aware that water is power and that conflict mitigation (within the affected population and with
neighboring communities) will in all likelihood need to accompany water/sanitation and hygiene
programming.
- Ensure that individuals receive enough water for consumption, bathing and cooking.
- Determine who will be collecting water and design the water collection points accordingly.
- Ensure that different groups have access to safe water collection points, including unaccompanied and
separated children and older persons or those with physical limitations and chronic health conditions
- Ensure separate latrines and showers facilities for men and for women and elderly.
- Design latrines and bathing facilities in central location (within safe distance of housing areas), secured
with locks and well lit to protect children and women from violence
- Ensure systems are in place to properly and safely dispose of garbage.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROMOTE PROTECTION
EMERGENCY SHELTER
WHY PROTECTION IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR WORK

In times of armed conflict, post-conflict, rapid and slow-onset of natural disasters, and protracted social conflict the
risks of abuse, violence and exploitation increase as families are separated, community structures disrupted, and
livelihoods interrupted. New risks and threats are triggered by the emergency, by individual and community
coping strategies and by the way in which assistance is organized and delivered. To avoid common mistakes, all
aid workers must ensure that actions do not create new safety and security concerns and that safety and security
considerations are present in all service delivery actions. Below are some simple actions you can take and adapt
to your local reality to promote protection in your sector response.

KEY ACTIONS FOR THE EMERGENCY SHELTER SECTOR OR CLUSTER

- Understand local shelter realities and context and build upon that foundation.
- Consult affected population (including older persons) in terms of cultural practices and shelter options and
integrate them into the decision making process.
- Set up emergency shelter committee that includes representative participation of affected population
members where felt needs and threats and opinions for improvement can be voiced openly.
- Work hard to ensure equal standards (for shelter) across groups and by different donors.
- When possible procure goods/inputs locally to ensure support of existing resources and local productive
networks.
- Understand who your affected population is and ensure that assessment tools are collecting disaggregated
data and that you are taking into consideration all the diverse groups that exist within it: i.e. men, women,
children, older persons, special needs, minorities, etc. in your response.
- Ensure that emergency shelter staff understands principle of non-discrimination and that shelter is provided
to all community groups with special attention to women, children, elderly and groups with disabilities.
- Ensure services are free of charge.
- Provide extra support to woman, children and older person headed households particularly when it comes
to setting up emergency shelter.
- Post signs, in local language, that indicate clearly that abuse and exploitation (including sexual exploitation
or the bartering of services) are prohibited by all including staff.
- Understand family composition and ensure that emergency shelter allocation does not exclude anyone.
- Maximize privacy in allocating shelter space per family. Multi family or group tents should be avoided.
- Ensure a division inside the shelter between sleeping space and cooking space and between family
members when appropriate.
- Ensure shelters are placed in safe places close to one another and in places that will not cause conflict with
neighboring communities or authorities.
- Ensure that there is a known referral system for violations and that there exists redress protocols.
- Provide information about the importance of keeping all animals outside the living spaces.
- Ensure adequate proportionality of latrines to shelter.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROMOTE PROTECTION
FOOD AND NUTRITION
WHY PROTECTION IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR WORK

In times of armed conflict, post-conflict, rapid and slow-onset of natural disasters, and protracted social conflict the
risks of abuse, violence and exploitation increase as families are separated, community structures disrupted, and
livelihoods interrupted. New risks and threats are triggered by the emergency, by individual and community
coping strategies and by the way in which assistance is organized and delivered. To avoid common mistakes, all
aid workers must ensure that actions do not create new safety and security concerns and that safety and security
considerations are present in all service delivery actions. Below are some simple actions you can take and adapt
to your local reality to promote protection in your sector response.

KEY ACTIONS FOR THE FOOD AND NUTRITION SECTOR OR CLUSTER

- Understand local food and nutrition reality and build response upon that foundation.
- Consult with affected population to understand food and nutrition felt needs, threats and concerns.
- Consult with women to determine the role that they wish to play in distribution systems and networks
- Regularly consult with women, men, girls and boys, elderly and those with physical limitations to identify
potential distribution gaps and felt needs. (Can be through committee or informal mechanisms).
- When possible procure goods/inputs locally to ensure support of existing resources and local productive
networks.
- Understand who your affected population is and ensure that assessment tools are collecting disaggregated
data and that you are taking into consideration all the diverse groups that exist within it: i.e. men, women,
children, older persons, special needs, minorities, etc. in your differentiated response.
- Ensure that food and nutrition staff understands principle of non-discrimination.
- Ensure women, male, child, older person headed households receive food distribution as available and
needed.
- Ensure services are free of charge
- Ensure child-headed households, unaccompanied and separated children as well as older persons receive
special distribution of food as necessary.
- Ensure that both men and women work in food distribution teams and that those members are
representative of overall affected population.
- Ensure that older persons have access to appropriate nutritious food and that distribution points and
methods allow them to access and to carry rations safely.
- Post signs, in local language, that indicate clearly that abuse and exploitation (including sexual exploitation
or the bartering of services) are prohibited by all including staff.
- Ensure violations complaints and redress mechanisms exist.
- Ensure that food distribution centres are centrally located and accessible to all groups.
- Rotate distribution teams so that no one group constantly distributes to the same group
- Ensure that food is not being bartered for sexual favours or other forms of abuse
- Encourage the distribution of food at the school to keep children positively engaged.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROMOTE PROTECTION
AGRICULTURE

WHY PROTECTION IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR WORK

In times of armed conflict, post-conflict, rapid and slow-onset of natural disasters, and protracted social conflict the
risks of abuse, violence and exploitation increase as families are separated, community structures disrupted, and
livelihoods interrupted. New risks and threats are triggered by the emergency, by individual and community
coping strategies and by the way in which assistance is organized and delivered. To avoid common mistakes, all
aid workers must ensure that actions do not create new safety and security concerns and that safety and security
considerations are present in all service delivery actions. Below are some simple actions you can take and adapt
to your local reality to promote protection in your sector response.

KEY ACTIONS FOR THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR OR CLUSTER

- Understand local agriculture practices, knowledge and structures and build upon that foundation.
- Understand the local agriculture calendar and ensure that assistance responds to agriculture felt needs,
threats and concerns of the affected populations as well as to their agriculture calendar.
- Form an agriculture committee that includes affected population members, including women.
- When possible procure goods/inputs locally to ensure support of existing resources and local productive
networks.
- Understand who your affected population is and ensure that assessment tools are collecting disaggregated
data and that you are taking into consideration all the diverse groups that exist within it: i.e. men, women,
children, older persons, special needs, minorities, etc. in your response.
- Ensure that agriculture sector staff understands principle of non-discrimination.
- Ensure that agriculture assistance is available to women and men headed households in the community as
well as members from different minority and groups.
- Ensure that services are provided free of charge.
- Ensure attention to the special role women play in agriculture sector and plan accordingly
- Post signs, in local language, that indicate clearly that abuse and exploitation (including sexual exploitation
or the bartering of services) are prohibited all including staff.
- Ensure complaints and redress mechanisms exist.
- Ensure that accessing and receiving inputs and equipment is done in a transparent manner and that those
goods and not bartered.
- Ensure awareness of land issues and potential conflicts before promoting plantation or land activities.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROMOTE PROTECTION
EARLY RECOVERY

WHY PROTECTION IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR WORK

In times of armed conflict, post-conflict, rapid and slow-onset of natural disasters, and protracted social conflict the
risks of abuse, violence and exploitation increase as families are separated, community structures disrupted, and
livelihoods interrupted. New risks and threats are triggered by the emergency, by individual and community
coping strategies and by the way in which assistance is organized and delivered. To avoid common mistakes, all
aid workers must ensure that actions do not create new safety and security concerns and that safety and security
considerations are present in all service delivery actions. Below are some simple actions you can take and adapt
to your local reality to promote protection in your sector response.

KEY ACTIONS FOR THE EARLY RECOVERY CLUSTER OR CLUSTER

- Understand local livelihood realities and alternatives and build upon that foundation.
- Identify felt needs, threats and concerns to livelihoods by affected population.
- Identify national, regional and local actors to jointly develop capacity building programs designed and
implemented in terms of protecting affected population from current and future emergencies.
- When possible procure goods/inputs locally to ensure support of existing resources and local productive
networks.
- Understand who your affected population is and ensure that assessment tools are collecting disaggregated
data and that you are taking into consideration all the diverse groups that exist within it: i.e. men, women,
children, older persons, special needs, minorities, etc. in your differentiated response.
- Ensure that early recovery staff understands principle of non-discrimination.
- Ensure staff represents all different groups present in affected population (including older men and
women).
- Ensure services are free of charge.
- Ensure that return programs take into account the differentiated need of the diverse groups in the affected
population.
- Post signs, in local language, that indicate clearly that abuse and exploitation (including sexual exploitation
or the bartering of services) are prohibited by all including staff.
- Ensure complaints and redress mechanisms exist.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROMOTE PROTECTION
LOGISTICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
WHY PROTECTION IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR WORK

In times of armed conflict, post-conflict, rapid and slow-onset of natural disasters, and protracted social conflict the
risks of abuse, violence and exploitation increase as families are separated, community structures disrupted, and
livelihoods interrupted. New risks and threats are triggered by the emergency, by individual and community
coping strategies and by the way in which assistance is organized and delivered. To avoid common mistakes, all
aid workers must ensure that actions do not create new safety and security concerns and that safety and security
considerations are present in all service delivery actions. Below are some simple actions you can take and adapt
to your local reality to promote protection in your sector response.

KEY ACTIONS FOR THE LOGISTICS AND TELECOMMUNICATION SECTORS OR CLUSTERS

- When possible procure goods/inputs locally to ensure support of existing resources and local productive
networks.
- Ensure that your sectoral staff understands principle of non-discrimination.
- Ensure that the people you hire to assist in your effort well represent the affected community.
- Post signs, in local language, that indicate clearly that abuse and exploitation (including sexual exploitation
or the bartering of services) are prohibited by all including sectoral staff.
- Ensure that your staff is aware of the hazards of truck stops in terms of health and security risks.
- Ensure that you are following local laws when hiring personnel and that you are not hiring under age
children.

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ANNEX 2

Analysis of protection threats and vulnerabilities in Yemen

• Violations of humanitarian law

The law of war is meant to protect civilians, meaning those who are not combatants, those who do
not participate in the conflict, against the consequences of war. This principle of distinction, which
is the foundation of international humanitarian law, is violated by all parties of the conflict on a
daily basis. Fighting takes place on the ground including in heavily populated residential areas
having resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths and injuries. Attacks have been conducted on and
from civilian areas and structures, such as hospitals and schools, exposing civilians to cross-fire and
reprisal attacks. The indiscriminate nature of the attacks and the use of inaccurate weapons are clear
violations of IHL. The random laying of landmines in areas frequented by civilians has also caused
civilian death and injuries. There are several reports on the use of cluster munition in attacks on
Sa’ada governorate. Continuous airstrikes by the coalition have also been unable to distinguish
between military and civilian target. Airstrikes also target many political targets, such as homes of
politicians and Government buildings, which are without exception in residential areas. Civilians
have paid a very heavy toll as a result of indiscriminate bombardments on residential and public
areas. IDPs who had fled from the violence and threats of airstrikes were not spared and are among
the victims. There have been a number of attacks on the staff and premises of the International
Committee of the Red Cross. In September 2015, two of their staff were assassinated on the road
between Sa’ada and Sana’a. This has sent a shockwave among all humanitarian actors in Yemen.
The conflict and unpredictable security situation has severely reduced freedom of movement,
including of commercial traffic. It is difficult to provide irrefutable evidence of deliberate denial of
food or humanitarian assistance to the civilian population, something that if systematic could lead to
starvation as a method of warfare. However, judging from the amount of obstacles (whether
security related, physical or administrative) related to access to basic services that are necessary for
survival, it is obvious that neither parties to the conflict make sufficient efforts to remove these
obstacles and in certain circumstances deliberately block access of both commercial and
humanitarian goods to reach the civilian population. A specific example is the port of Al Hudaydah
which is the major hub for getting commercial goods into the north of the country and has been
blocked by a combination of security and administrative related obstacles.

Details of many of these violations are narrated in numerous reports by Human Rights Watch, a
report issued in August 2015 by Amnesty International and a joint Statement by the UN Special
Advisors on the Prevention of Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect respectively of August
2015, to name but a few. There have been no indications that measures have been taken by any
party to the conflict to prevent or mitigate these violations.

• Threats to life, safety and freedom

Beyond the direct impact of the conflict on the civilian population, there are reports of numerous
serious human rights violations. These violations are indicative of the heavily divided society,
exacerbated by the conflict, and further aggravated by the malfunctioning of the judicial system
fostering impunity. These incidents involve extra-judicial killings, and particularly incidents that
appear to be revenge killings of persons who were accused/suspected to have worked for or aligned
themselves with the opposite party to the conflict. There have been several disappearances, and
many incidents of arbitrary arrest and detention, including of children. Several of these arrests
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appear to be politically motivated. Public figures and members of political parties have seen their
houses attacked and destroyed. There are a number of ethnic and religious minorities in Yemen.
One of the ethnic minorities is the Al Muhamashen (meaning “marginalized”) who have
traditionally suffered from exclusion and discrimination. They generally are involved in menial
labour and have difficulty accessing services and rights at par with the rest of the population.
There has always been a divide between the north and south, but the current conflict has
considerably heightened the mutual tension and suspicion. In both the north and the south there
have been incidents of attacks, threats and arrests of persons, institutions or companies that are or
are perceived to be affiliated with “the other side”. Consequently, people from the north experience
difficulties establishing themselves or finding work in the south and vice versa. As a consequence,
people are restricted, or restrict themselves, from moving between the north and south.
Freedom of expression is being restricted. Peaceful protests have been denied or interrupted, and
protesters arrested. Journalists have been arrested for publishing critical articles. A newspaper
building has been raided, forcing it to stop printing.

• Sexual and Gender-based violence

Under any circumstance and in any society, sexual and gender based violence is a phenomenon
characterized by cultural prejudice and considered a taboo, discussion of which is restricted to the
private sphere. This is even more so for Yemen, which is a conservative and patriarchal society, and
a country at war. This means that there is extreme reluctance to openly discuss gender-based
violence, and consequently survivors of GBV will be very reluctant to speak about it, let alone
report it outside the close family sphere.
Due to past experiences in certain countries of large scale gross violations, especially of rape as a
weapon of war, special attention is paid to the issue of GBV in conflict situations. While it is clearly
important to pay extreme attention to this phenomenon, in Yemen it is difficult to make a precise
distinction between GBV related to the ongoing conflict or unrelated to the conflict. In Yemen it is
clear that incidents of GBV are underreported, but there are indications of especially forced and
early marriage, as well as domestic violence, psychological and emotional abuse, denial of
resources, but also rape and sexual assault.
In the absence of indicative figures, it is important to monitor and evaluate indicators that may be
conducive to GBV, including in a situation of conflict. In the context of Yemen, these include
among others the amount of female-headed households, violence due to psychological pressure as a
result of the war, the level of displacement, the lack of adequate housing and consequent lack of
privacy, the level of poverty and consequent food insecurity, the total or partial collapse of law and
order, abuse of power and/or military authority, the occurrence of forced recruitment and the
proliferation of small arms. Despite the difficulties surrounding GBV, there is considerable capacity
available especially among civil society that are very actively working with women and men, girls
and boys to address the issue in all its aspects.

• Children
Children continue to be heavily affected by the conflict in Yemen. The most direct impact is the
high number of death and injuries, more than 500 and more than 700 respectively, confirmed in the
five months after the escalation of the conflict at the end of March 2015. What is most concerning is
that this figure represents actual verified incidents, and the real number will be much higher.
The conflict has destroyed livelihoods, limited the access to the most basic services of water,
electricity and food commodities, increased the prices, and severely restricted freedom of
movement. This comes on top of already high levels of poverty, generating high risks of
malnutrition. Apart from the direct physical and psychological scars of war on children, this
situation also poses additional responsibilities on children to help families survive. This in turn
exposes children even more to the effects of the fighting and bombing. There is ample evidence of
wide spread distress among children, which in certain cases leads to mental disorders. This is

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revealed through conflicts with other children, difficulties in establishing trusting relationships,
sleeping disorders, feelings of fear, anger and hatred, difficulty concentrating etc.
In October the school year is supposed to resume, and clearly the educational system is seriously
affected by the conflict. There have been many attacks on schools, and school buildings have been
used as shelter or bases by armed forces and armed groups. Moreover, many schools are being used
as temporary residences for a large number of IDPs for whom for the time being no alternative
accommodation has been identified.
The conflict including large scale internal displacement has generated the separation of families and
there are many unaccompanied and separated minors, although the exact number is not available.
Early marriage and early pregnancy has traditionally been a problem in Yemen, including through a
phenomenon of “tourist marriages” whereby older men from abroad come to marry, often only
temporarily, much younger Yemeni women and girls. In Yemen children are usually confronted at a
very early age with weapons and are expected to participate in defending the tribal community.
There are numerous reports of children recruited and used by armed groups and armed forces.
The contamination of civilian and residential areas by landmines affects children specifically as
they are often less aware of the dangers and tend to roam and play in deserted homes or areas. The
use of cluster munition is also of grave concern as it leaves behind a large number of smaller
unexploded ordinances that may be seem to children as objects to play with.
The Monitoring and Reporting mechanism on the six grave violations of children rights in conflict
has been operational in Yemen since 2009. It reports on killing and maiming; abductions; attacks on
schools and hospitals; recruitment and use by armed groups and armed forces; sexual violence; and
the denial of humanitarian aid.

• Women
In the highly patriarchal Yemen society women are generally expected to live under a male
guardianship, hence single women, single mothers and widows can be subject to serious restrictions
and abuses. Women and girls can be subject to sexual violence including early and forced marriages
and domestic violence. In a crisis situation, women in general may be affected differently from men
because of their social status, family responsibilities or reproductive role, but they are not
necessarily vulnerable. Gender analysis can help to identify those women or girls, or men and boys,
who may be vulnerable and in what way.

• Internally Displaced Persons

The number of persons internally displaced as a result of the conflict is estimated at 2,3 million (as
at 15 October 2015). The majority of IDPs reside in rented accommodation or are hosted with local
communities, while a minority lives in schools, collective centres or other alternative forms of
shelter. Many people who may have wanted to flee have not been able to due to a number of
physical, economic and social obstacles.
Economic and living conditions of most IDPs are dire. They have lost their means of livelihoods
and many rely on charity or humanitarian assistance. Living conditions often do not allow for much
privacy which causes a lot of tension and enhances the risk of physical abuse and sexual violence.
Displacement has amplified the risk of family separation.
With the continuation of the conflict and prolongation of the displacement, there is an increased risk
of conflictual situation between IDPs and hosting families, including the risk of exploitation. There
are increasing reports of IDPs who have been compelled to return to their areas of origin, where
conditions are still far from secure and services are lacking. IDPs accommodated in schools risk
expulsion with consultation or the provision of adequate alternatives.

• Legal safety
Even independent from the conflicts that Yemen has suffered, there have traditionally been major
issues related to free and equal access to justice and access to a fair trial. The judiciary is not well
organized and badly resourced and due to widespread corruption and political interference is not

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perceived to be independent. Often the tribal conflict resolution processes are the preferred option
to deal with crimes. Many crimes are committed with impunity, so that the judicial system provides
little to no deterrent.
A complete breakdown of the rule of law is often a direct result of warfare. Also in the immediate
aftermath of intense fighting, there is a great risk that a vacuum of power exists where different
political and armed groups compete over control. This is the situation in Aden to date (September
2015), where it is very unclear who is in charge and the uncertainty and absence of rule of law
creates considerable problems for the population. Such situations are not unlikely to be reproduced
in similar scenarios such as Taizz, or even Sana’a.
There are issues of lack of freedom of movement, including as a result of the numerous check
points established by all parties to the conflict. Lack of adequate documentation is also problematic
for some, especially IDPs who without documentation risk losing out on services and humanitarian
aid.

• Socio-economic safety
Yemen is one the poorest country in the Middle East and one of the poorest in the world. It is
obvious that the lack of economic opportunities and livelihoods and chronic poverty are major
contributing factors to the vulnerability of individuals. A heightened vulnerability will often mean
that persons are more likely to suffer the consequences of a crisis, and the consequences are likely
to be more damaging due to the person and their vulnerability. This means that poverty is likely to
expose people more to the direct consequences of the conflict, because they have much less sturdy
accommodation, because they need to be more mobile and thus exposed in order to ensure a
livelihood, including waiting for food, collecting water, etc.
Yemen had already a large population living in poverty, and the conflict has certainly increased this
number. Many have lost their jobs and means of livelihood, and families have been affected by the
damage and destruction of their homes.
Social services structures are under considerable pressure and many of the health structures do not
or hardly function. This means that services to persons with specific needs who even under normal
circumstances have problems accessing services, to date cannot rely on any of these services. This
affects particularly persons with chronic diseases, survivors of violence or trauma, injured persons,
elderly persons and persons with disabilities.

Sana’a
September 2015
Protection Cluster

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