The IASC Policy on Protection in Humanitarian Action: an Aide-Memoire (Aide-Memoire) is intended to clarify and reinforce the key elements of the IASC Policy on Protection in Humanitarian Action of 2016 (IASC Protection Policy). It is aimed at Humanitarian Coordinators and Humanitarian Country Teams (HCTs) to support their implementation of the Policy at country level and was developed in consultation with field practitioners. It should be read in conjunction with both the IASC Protection Policy and the Benchmarks for HCT Collective Implementation of the IASC Policy on Protection in Humanitarian Action (the IASC Protection Benchmarks).
The Aide-Memoire provides additional context and background information required for a comprehensive understanding the Protection Benchmarks. It highlights the responsibilities of HCTs to reduce protection risks in complement to or as part of the three benchmarks, including engaging local and non-humanitarian actors and measurement of outcomes. The document also answers common questions of field practitioners such as how non-protection clusters can contribute and what to do if a response has little or no demonstrable impact.
The Aide-Memoire is a useful resource that should be read by all HCs and HCTs, in conjunction with the Protection Benchmarks, to ensure successful implementation of the IASC Protection Policy and a collective reduction in protection risks.