Humanitarian Terminologies: glossary of

common humanitarian words & phrases!

by Impactpool

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Knowing what the different terminologies specific to the impact sector mean is vital to
writing a brilliant job application. Each organization may have words that are specific
to their mandates, but essentially, knowing and understanding what these so called
"humanitarian jargons" mean help applicants to comprehend what the main message
of the job description is.
 
Below we have made a compilation of some often used terminolgies found in many
job descriptions to help you understand what each entails. 
Accountability to Affected Population

Accountability to Affected Population (AAP) is the active commitment of humanitarians to ensure

communities themselves have the power and influence to determine and act on their own priorities for
preparedness, response and recovery.

 
Assessment (and Re-Assessment)

The set of activities necessary to understand a given situation entails the collection, up-dating and
analysis of data pertaining to the population of concern (needs, capacities, resources, etc.), as well as the
state of infrastructure and general socio-economic conditions in a given location/area.

Assistance

Aid provided to address the physical, material and legal needs of persons of concern.This may include
food items, medical supplies, clothing, shelter, seeds and tools, as well as the provision of infrastructure,
such as schools and roads. “Humanitarian assistance” refers to assistance provided by humanitarian
organisations for humanitarian purposes (i.e. non-political, non- commercial and non-military purposes).
In UNHCR practice, assistance supports and comple- ments the achievement of protection objectives. 

Bilateral Aid/Assistance

Aid that is controlled and spent by donor countries at their own discretion. It may include staff, supplies,
equipment, funding to receipt governments and funding to NGOs. It also includes assistance channelled
as earmarked funding through international and UN organisations.

Call for Papers

Call for Papers includes invitations to submit articles, papers and abstracts for potential publication
and/or presentation.

Capacity Building

A process by which individuals, institutions and societies develop abilities, individually and collectively,
to perform functions, solve problems and set and achieve their goals. (UNHCR)

Cash and Voucher Assistance

CVA is the umbrella term for humanitarian cash and vouchers. The terms ‘cash assistance’ or ‘cash’ are
used when referring specifically to the use of cash transfer 

Camp Coordination and Camp Management

Camp Management and Camp Coordination includes ensuring equitable access to services and
protection for displaced persons living in communal settings, to improve their quality of life and dignity
during displacement, and advocate for solutions while preparing them for life after displacement.

Capacity Building

A process by which individuals, institutions and societies develop abilities, individually and col-
lectively, to perform functions, solve problems and set and achieve their goals.

Capacity, Coping

The manner in which people and organizations use existing resources to achieve various beneficial ends
during unusual, abnormal, and adverse conditions of a disaster event or pro- cess. The strengthening of
coping capacities usually builds resilience to withstand the ef- fects of natural and other hazards. 

Central Emergency Response Plan

CERF is one of the fastest and most effective ways to ensure that urgently needed humanitarian
assistance reaches people caught up in crises. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in
2005 as the United Nations global emergency response fund, CERF enables humanitarian responders to
deliver life-saving assistance whenever and wherever crises strike.

Chief of Party 

The head of a large program, usually funded by a single donor, that is being run as a separate
administrative entity to any other programs that the agency might have. Often donors like USAID will
ask that a particularly large project have a Chief of Party who reports directly to a regional or head
office rather than to a Country Director, in order to simplify line management. 

Civil Military Coordination (CMCoord)

The dialogue and interaction between civilian and military actors in humanitarian emergencies that is
necessary to protect and promote humanitarian principles, avoid competition, minimize inconsistency,
and when appropriate pursue common goals. Basic strategies range from coexistence to cooperation.
Coordination is a shared responsibility facilitated by liaison and common training. (OCHA)

Civil Society
Refers to structures independent from governments such as non governmental organizations and human
rights groups, independent activists and human rights defenders, religious congregations, charities,
universities, trade unions, legal associations, families and clans. Domestic civil society represents one of
the most critical sources of humanitarian assistance and civilian protection during humanitarian
emergencies. (OCHA)

Civilian Personnel

UN non-military staff members who form part of a peacekeeping operation and perform duties, among
other things, relating to the human rights, humanitarian or political situation on the ground, and the
financial and administrative management of a mission. (OCHA)

Civilian Populations

Groups of unarmed people, including women, children, the sick and elderly, refugees and internally
displaced persons, who are not directly engaged in the armed conflict. (OCHA)
 

Country Director

The most senior position in a particular country for most NGOs, the director of all aspects of an
agency’s operations in that country.

Cluster Sampling

A sampling technique in which the selection of individuals or households is concentrated within certain
geographical areas that have been previously selected. It is the most useful method when a population is
geographically dispersed and it is not possible to undertake a simple random sampling. Cluster sampling
reduces financial costs and logistical challenges, but it usu- ally requires larger sampling sizes than
random sampling techniques in order to achieve the same level of precision.

Common Operational Dataset (COD)

Predictable, core sets of data needed to support operations and decision-making that are made available
within 48 hours of a given humanitarian emergency. Common datasets are needed by all actors in a
humanitarian emergency response.The datasets are often dynamic the first week of an emergency during
a consolidation period and are maintained throughout the emergency cycle.The Common datasets are
proactively identified and maintained prior to an emergency as part of data preparedness measures. All
datasets must meet detailed criteria for format and minimum characteristics within the defined
dataset. IASC Guidelines on Common Operational Datasets in Disaster Preparedness and Response

 
Community Group Discussion

Discussion with a mixed group of community members that includes men, women and young people
from all subgroups within the community (village, camp, urban neighborhood, etc.). Glossary of Food
Security Terminology, WFP

Common Country Assessment (CCA)

The common instrument of the United Nations to analyze the development situation in a certain country
and identify key national development issues in the context of both the Millennium Development Goals
and other commitments, goals and targets of the Millennium Declaration, international conferences,
summits, conventions and human rights instruments. (UNHCR)

Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP)

The CHAP is a strategic plan for humanitarian response in a given country or region and includes the
following elements:

 A common analysis of the context in which humanitarian action takes place;

 An assessment of needs;
 Best, worst, and most likely scenarios;
 Stakeholder analysis, i.e. who does what and where;
 A clear statement of longer-term objectives and goals;
 Prioritised response plans; and
 A framework for monitoring the strategy and revising it if necessary. (FTS Glossary)

Community-Based Approach

Community-based approach motivates women, girls, boys and men in the community to participate in a
process which allows them to express their needs and to decide their own future with a view to their
empowerment. It requires recognition that they are active participants in decision-making. It also seeks
to understand the community’s concerns and priorities, mobilizing community members and engaging
them in protection and programming. The focus is on helping refugees organize themselves to solve
their own problems. The role of UNHCR is to support the building, rebuilding and strengthening of
communities’ capacities to respond to protection risks and to make decisions over access to and use of
resources. Participatory assessment is carried out in the spirit of shared responsibility for enhancing
protection of all members of the community and is an essential component of community-based work.
(UNHCR Technical Glossary)

Contextual Information
Details of the processes that led to the current emergency and the reasons why it is occurring; factors
that help to explain the emergency and give insights into the responses that may be appropriate.

Contingency Plans

Plan aimed at dealing with the possible occurrence of a disaster, addressing such matters as forecasting,
assessing the development and possible intensity of its effects, if the conditions remain variable.

Convenience Sampling

Households and individuals are selected on the basis of ease of access. Glossary of Food Security
Terminology,WFP

Conflict Resolution

The resolution of conflict usually by conciliation. Contingency Planning: A management tool used to
ensure that adequate arrangements are made in anticipation of a crisis. This is achieved primarily
through engagement in a planning process leading to a plan of action, together with follow-up actions.
(OCHA)

Coordinated Assessment

Assessments that are planned and carried out in partnership with other humanitarian actors, with the
results shared for the benefit of the broader humanitarian community to identify the needs of the affected
population of a humanitarian crisis. Coordinated assessments is a broad term that includes several
different types of assessments, ranging from inter and intra cluster/sector joint assessments to single
agency assessments that are harmonized. 

Cross Tabulation

The process of combining two or more indicators; used, for example, to gain insights into the prevalence
and causes of malnutrition and food insecurity.Glossary of Food SecurityTerminology, WFP 

  

Damage Assessment

The role of the relief sub-programme, which consists of the development of mechanisms to assess the
physical and social dimension of the catastrophe, the estimate of the loss of human lives and natural
wealth, the needs which must be satisfied and the identification of possible risks (Secondary Effects or
Damage). ‘’ 
 

DDR(R)

Programmes to disarm, demobilize and reintegrate ex-combatants in a peacekeeping context as part of a

peace process, which usually include the following components:

Disarmament: The collection, control and disposal of small arms, ammunition, explosives and light and
heavy weapons of combatants and often also of the civilian population. It includes the development of
responsible arms management programmes.

Demobilisation: The process by which armed forces (government and/or opposition or factional forces)
either downsize or completely disband, as part of a broader transformation from war to peace. Typically,
demobilization involves the assembly, quartering, disarmament, administration and discharge of former
combatants, who may receive some form of compensation and other assistance to encourage their
transition to civilian life.

Reintegration: Assistance measures provided to former combatants that would increase the potential for
their and their families’, economic and social reintegration into civil society. Reintegration programmes
could include cash assistance or compensation in kind, as well as vocational training and income-
generating activities.

Resettlement: The settlement of ex-combatants in locations within their country of origin or to a third

country.

Repatriation: The return of ex-combatants to their country of origin.

Rehabilitation: The treatment through psychosocial counselling and other programs of ex-combatants,

most typically ex-child soldiers, who have been traumatized by war to assist them in resuming a more
normal life. (OCHA)

Director of Operations – large programs will often have a Director of Operations instead of, or as well
as, a Deputy Country Director. Reporting to the CD, this position is responsible for implementing
programs, and managing the day-to-day running of the agency, while the Country Director focuses on
strategy and funding.

Disaggregated

Disaggregated means that aggregated data is separated. For population data, this refers to data at the
individual level, so that you can see each person’s information, or to data that is divided into different
demographic groups, such as sex or age group. - UNHCR

Disaster Risk Management

The systematic process of using administrative decisions, organization, operational skills and capacities
to implement policies, strategies and coping capacities of the society and communities to lessen the
impacts of natural hazards and related environmental and technological disasters. This comprises all
forms of activities, including structural and non-structural measures to avoid (prevention) or to limit
(mitigation and preparedness) adverse effects of hazards.

Disaster Risk Reduction

The conceptual framework of elements considered with the possibilities to minimize vulner- abilities
and disaster risks throughout a society, to avoid (prevention) or to limit (mitigation and preparedness)
the adverse impacts of hazards, within the broad context of sustainable development. 

Displaced Persons

Persons who, for different reasons or circumstances, have been compelled to leave their homes.They
may or may not reside in their country of origin, but are not legally regarded as refugees. 

  

Development through Local Integration (DLI)

A programming approach applied in protracted refugee situations where the state opts to provide
opportunities for the gradual integration of refugees. It is based on the understanding that those refugees
who are unable to repatriate and are willing to integrate locally will find a solution to their plight in their
country of asylum. DLI is achieved through the inclusion of refugees in development plans. (UNHCR)

Donor Relations/Grants Management

Donor Relations/Grants Management covers activities related to fundraising, such as developing

proposals for resource mobilization; managing and maintaining partnerships; monitoring and reporting
on funds received in accordance with donor agreements.

Emergency

A situation that causes widespread human, material, economic or environmental damage, threatening
human lives and/or livelihoods and exceeding the coping capacities of the affected communities and/or
government.

Emergency Relief
The immediate survival assistance to the victims of crisis and violent conflict. Most relief op- erations
are initiated on short notice and have a short implementation period (project objectives are generally
completed within a year).The main purpose of emergency relief is to save lives.

Emergency Response Plan

A plan that sets out the roles and responsibilities of agencies in emergency response and the
coordination arrangements that are to be utilized.

Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC)

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs also carries the title of Emergency Relief
Coordinator. In this role, the ERC coordinates the international response to humanitarian emergencies
and disasters.

Evaluation

A systematic and objective analysis and assessment of the organization’s policies, programmes,
practices, partnerships and procedures, focused on planning, design, implementation and impacts. 

Expatriate staff (expat)

From the latin, ex-patria meaning “outside of one’s home country”. Expats are foreigners working in a
developing country. While historically these folks have been westerners giving technical assistance or
managing assistance programs, increasingly nationals of one developing country are becoming
expatriate managers in other developing countries. Roughly 10% of all staff of humanitarian agencies
are expats, usually in technical or senior roles.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

An organized collection of tools (computer hardware and software), of information and of professional/
technical knowledge that is used to input, store, retrieve, utilize, analyse and out- put geographically
referenced data. A GIS uses geography as its organizing principle. - UNHCR

Geographic Information System (GIS) Mapping

The use of a geographic information system, a computer-based tool, for risk or hazard mapping. GIS
technology integrates database operations with the geographic analysis benefits offered by maps.
The benefits of the technique are the increase in productivity of hazard-mapping technicians, it can give
higher quality results than can be obtained manually and it can facilitate decision- making and improve
coordination among agencies when efficiency is at a premium.

The limitations of the technique include the lack of trained personnel; difficulties in exchanging data
between different systems; difficulties in including social, economic and environmental variables;
variability in access to computers and the quality and detail of the data required by GIS analysis. (UN
HABITAT)

Hazard Map

Name given to a topographical map using a scale of variables and adding the identification of a specific
kind of risk, differentiating the high, average and low probability of the occurrence of a disaster. 

Hiring Manager

The person (usually, but not always, in the field) who requested that a recruiting process begins, and
who has final say over the candidate hired. Sometimes this person is a Country Director or Program
Manager in a field office, and in some agencies this is a human resource function. Regardless – this is
the person who you have to convince that you are the best choice to make their life easier, and their
work more effective.

 
Humanitarian Aid

Humanitarian aid is the material and logistical support to people who are in crisis. It is usually short-
term help until governments and other institutions replace it with long-term solutions. People in crisis
include the homeless, refugees, and victims of natural disasters, wars and famines.

  

Humanitarian Coordination

An approach based on the belief that a coherent response to an emergency will maximize its benefits and
minimize potential pitfalls. In each country, the coordination of United Nations humanitarian assistance
is entrusted to the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator. OCHA, under the direction of the
Emergency Relief Coordinator, is responsible for the coordina- tion of a humanitarian response in the
event of a crisis and carries out this role according to approved policies and structures set by the
IASC.This coordination involves developing common strategies with partners both within and outside
the United Nations system, iden- tifying overall humanitarian needs, developing a realistic plan of
action, monitoring progress and adjusting programmes as necessary, convening coordination forums,
mobilizing resources, addressing common problems to humanitarian actors, and administering
coordination mecha- nisms and tools. It does not involve OCHA in the administration of humanitarian
assistance. 

Indicator

A specific variable, or combination of variables, that gives insight into a particular aspect of the
situation. 

Information Management

Information Management covers collecting, consolidating, analyzing, visualizing and/or sharing of

data/information about crises/disasters including developing and maintaining standards, databases,
systems, tools, platforms and products; Includes mapping/GIS functions.

Internally Displaced Person 

According to the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, internally displaced persons (also known
as "IDPs") are "persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their
homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed
conflict, situations of generalized violence, violations of human rights or natural or human-made
disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognized border."

Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC)

The Inter-Agency Standing Committee is the longest-standing and highest-level humanitarian

coordination forum of the UN system, bringing together the executive heads of 18 UN and non-UN
organizations to ensure coherence of preparedness and response efforts, formulate policy, and agree on
priorities for strengthened humanitarian action. The IASC was established in June 1992, following a UN
General Assembly resolution. 

Inter-Cluster/Sector Coordination Group (ICCG/ISCG)

The group of IASC Cluster/Sector Coordinators assigned by Lead/Co-Lead Agencies tasked with
facilitating cooperation among sectors/clusters to assure coherence in achieving common objectives,
avoiding duplication and ensuring areas of need are prioritized. Inter-cluster coordination takes place at
the national and sub-national level, to coordinate the implementation of the response through each step
of the humanitarian programme cycle. A representative of OCHA serves as the Chair.

 
Joint Assessment

Data collection, processing and analysis form one single process among agencies within and between
clusters/sectors, leading to a single report. Also referred to as a common assessment.

Joint Programming

The process through which the United Nations country team and national partners work together to
prepare, implement, monitor and evaluate the United Nations’s contribution to most effectively and
efficiently achieve the Millennium Development Goals and other international commitments related to
the government’s national development targets. 

Logistics/Procurement

Logistics/Procurement refers to the supply chain management covering planning and execution of
guidance and policy of acquisitions, procurement, warehousing, asset/inventory management,
transportation and freight planning of goods and resources. Includes maintenance and security of
vehicles, physical assets, premises and staff.

Mandate

The legal framework that defines the responsibilities of UN Agencies, peacekeeping operations and
other international organisations such as the International Committee for the Red Cross.

The mandates of UN Agencies, such as UNICEF and UNHCR, are agreed upon by the General
Assembly. It is imperative that Agencies have clear and adequate mandates to ensure that all
humanitarian issues are addressed appropriately and consistently. The protection of internally displaced
persons (IDPs) is one issue that does not fall squarely within any Agency’s mandate. Until such time, it
is OCHA’s responsibility through the IDP Unit to collaborate with Agencies to ensure that IDP interests
are protected.

Peacekeeping Mission mandates are agreed upon by the Security Council. It is imperative that an
authorized UN Force is sufficiently large, well equipped and appropriately empowered with matching
resources for the situation called for on the ground. (OCHA)

Mapping of Areas of Risk

Specification of the vulnerable areas at risk in the face of the destruction phenomenon based on its type
and nature.There are three clearly defined areas. Intervention area: area to be eval- uated when disaster
occurs.The recommended measures are basically followed in this area and the groups responsible for
operational intervention and health measures merge. Relief Area: the area immediately adjacent to the
intervention area. Health relief operations are carried out in this area and the stages of support to the
group in operational intervention are organized. Base area:Area where reserves may be based and
organized. It may be the place to receive evacuees for their subsequent placement in shelters. 

Monitoring and Evaluation

Monitoring and Evaluation covers collecting and assessing information on quality and progress of
projects and programmes, designing methodologies and evaluation tools; recommending best practices
and lessons learned to improve effectiveness and impact of activities through reports, training/workshop,
etc.

Multi-Sectoral

Action or discipline that implies and needs coordination at all levels between and among the various
activities involved in managing a situation, eg. A disaster, such as the health sec- tor, transport
agriculture, housing, public works, water supply, communications, finance etc.

Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding pertains to policies, programs, and associated efforts to: resolve
conflict; prevent conflict escalation; uphold law and order in a conflict zone; and restore social and
political institutions disrupted by the conflict; such as ceasefire/peace negotiation;
disarmament/demobilisation/reintegration; multilateral peacekeeping and political missions; and
electoral support/observation missions.

Program/Project Management

Program/Project Management pertains to the management of all stages of a program/project cycle -

planning, design development, proposal writing, implementation, reporting, program/project operations,
quality assurance and compliance; overseeing staff and processes, and facilitating strategic contacts.

Protection and Human Rights

Protection and Human Rights pertains to civilians, IDPs and refugees in the context of human rights
violations, gender-based violence, international humanitarian, criminal and human rights law, including
humanitarian access.

Rapid Assessment
Undertaken following an initial assessment in a sudden crisis, or as a component of a reas- sessment. It
is based on a combination of secondary and primary data.

Recovery

A focus on how best to restore the capacity of the government and communities to rebuild and recover
from crisis and to prevent relapses into conflict. In so doing, recovery seeks not only to catalyze
sustainable development activities, but also to build upon earlier humanitar- ian programmes to ensure
that their inputs become assets for development.

Remote Sensing

The small or large scale acquisition of information of an object/phenomenon, by the use of either
recording or real-time sensing devices that are wireless, or not in physical/intimate con- tact with the
object (such as by way of aircraft, spacecraft, satellite, buoy or ship).

Resilience 

The ability of a system or community to absorb, resist, accommodate and recover from the effects of a
hazard in a timely and efficient manner. DFID defines resilience as “the ability of countries,
communities and households to manage change by maintaining or transforming living standards in the
face of shocks or stresses without compromising their long-term prospects. 

Resident Coordinator (RC) and Humanitarian Coordinator (HC)

The Resident Coordinator is the head of the UN Country Team. In a Complex Emergency, the RC or
another competent UN official may be designated as the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC). In large-scale
Complex Emergencies, a separate HC is often appointed. If the emergency affects more than one
country, a Regional HC may be appointed. The decision whether to and who to appoint as HC is made
by the Emergency Relief Coordinator, in consultation with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee. In
countries where large multi-disciplinary UN field operations are in place the Secretary-General might
appoint a Special Representative (SRSG). 

Response Analysis

Analysis to determine the need, or otherwise, for an intervention and, if appropriate, to iden- tify the
most suitable types of intervention, the timing and the targeting criteria.

  

Safety and Security

Safety and Security is defined as policies, measures and incidents relating to safety and security of
humanitarian aid workers in the field. Safety and security of civilians is covered under “Protection and
Human Rights.”

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Written instructions describing how specific activities are to be conducted. SOPs ensure that treatment
given to persons of concern meets standards and is provided in a fair and uniform manner. It is also
essential that SOPs stay alive and be updated to reflect changes in operational processes and in the
division of labor within the office. 

Vulnerable Groups

Categories of displaced persons with special needs, variously defined to include: unaccom- panied
minors, the elderly, the mentally and physically disabled, victims of physical abuse or violence and
pregnant, lactating or single women.

  

Want to learn more? 

Humanitarianism: Keywords is a comprehensive dictionary designed as a compass for navigating the

conceptual universe of humanitarianism. It is an intuitive toolkit to map contemporary humanitarianism
and to explore its current and future articulations. The dictionary serves a broad readership of
practitioners, students, and researchers by providing informed access to the extensive humanitarian
vocabulary.

Citation

https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/
humanitarian_glossary_2012.pdf 

UNHCR Master Glossary 

OCHA Global Humanitarian Overview 2022

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