To: All Charities, Associations, and Donor Agencies: A Call to Uphold Humanitarian Principles
Subject: Ensuring Neutrality and Respect in Humanitarian Aid
ORDA Ethiopia extends its greetings to all partners and stakeholders. We are writing to share an important reminder regarding our shared commitment to humanitarian integrity.
International standards dictate that humanitarian aid must be provided without religious, political, or ethnic pressure. United Nations agreements clearly state that every individual has the right to receive assistance without being coerced into adopting the beliefs or religions of the donor.
However, in certain parts of the Amhara Region, we have observed actions that violate these fundamental rules. We have noted instances where aid has been leveraged to spread specific religious beliefs. Such practices undermine the dignity and agency of the recipients and damage the reputation of the humanitarian sector as a whole.
ORDA Ethiopia has served the people of Ethiopia, and the Amhara Region specifically, for many years. Based on our long-standing experience, we maintain the following positions:
Zero Tolerance for Coercion: Using aid as a tool for religious conversion is a violation of both international and national regulations.
Protection of Dignity: We strongly condemn any act that exploits the suffering of our people as an opportunity to force religious change.
Humanity First: We believe that aid must focus exclusively on human need, independent of any other agenda.
Given the immense need for assistance currently facing the region, we call upon all civil society organizations and donor agencies to:
Uphold Core Principles: Strictly follow the basic Humanitarian Principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence in all operations.
Respect Local Values: Provide support in a manner that respects the faith, culture, and dignity of the community.
Protect Freedom of Choice: Cease any practices that put the freedom of conscience and the personal choices of aid recipients at risk.
Humanity alone is sufficient reason to deliver and receive assistance.
ORDA Ethiopia