Growing the Sheltering Tree:
Protecting Rights Through Humanitarian Action

The Growing the Sheltering Tree Project includes a book, containing programmes and practices gathered from the field, and this interactive website.

The IASC Reference Group on Humanitarian Action and Human Rights was especially interested in helping humanitarians work more effectively in environments where civilians were suffering because of violations of international humanitarian, human rights, and/or refugee law.

Recognising that people working in zones of conflict or under oppressive regimes had already developed many innovative methods and programmes to prevent or mitigate abuses, it was decided to identify and share these practices in the hope that they could be adapted for use by humanitarian colleagues also working in difficult circumstances.

The book has 250 pages, with six chapters, appendices listing on-line resources, and a bibliography of relevant information. It is available as a .pdf file (221MB) on CD-ROM, as well as on this website:

Growing the Sheltering Tree: Protecting Rights through Humanitarian Action: The Book, PDF VERSION, (3.5 MB)

*NOTE: this version does not have links to field practices included, nor do the page numbers correspond to the thumbnails.*

Growing the Sheltering Tree: Protecting Rights through Humanitarian Action: The Book PDF VERSION (221 MB)
Warning: This version of Growing the Sheltering Tree is a rather large file (221 MB) and may take some time to download. Unless you have a fast connection and a powerful computer, there is a chance that your browser will crash.

*NOTE: this version includes links to each field practice.*

To Order a Copy of the Book or CD-ROM of Growing the Sheltering Tree:

Growing the Sheltering Tree can be ordered from pubdoc@unicef.org (note "Sheltering Tree" in the subject line and indicate your preference - book or CD-ROM).

To Contribute a Field Practice:

This website is meant to build on the book by requesting additional field practices from those working on the 'front lines' of humanitarian operations. To contribute your field practice, e-mail: webmaster@icva.ch (note "Sheltering Tree" in the subject line.)

Preface

A Note on the Generation of This Collection of Field Practices

Chapter 1: We Work and We Witness

Introduction

1. Humanitarian Assistance and Protection: Two Sides of the Same Coin
2. Preventing Discrimination: A Critical Component of Protection Work for Humanitarian Organizations
3. Toward a Shared Definition of Protection
4. Modes of Action in Protection
5. General Activities to Consider in Protection Planning

Chapter 2: Humanitarian Assistance and Protection: Developing an Integrated Approach

1. Leadership and Collaborative Work in Protection
   1. Headquarters-Level Protection Partnerships
   2. Country/Field-Level Models for Partnerships in Protection
   3. Global Information-Sharing Arrangements
   4. Protection Working Groups and Other Collaborative Measures
2. Negotiating Access to Persons Under Threat and Ensuring the Right to Humanitarian Assistance
3. 'Conscious' Presence: The Strategic Implementation of Programmes to Promote Protection and Prevent Violations
4. Programme Process: Assessment, Planning and Evaluation
   1. Assessment and Analysis
   2. Early Warning and Contingency Planning
   3. Ongoing Assessment: Monitoring and Reporting
   4. Inclusion of People at Risk in Protection Planning
   5. Evaluation

Chapter 3: Broader Initiatives and Approaches to Strengthen the Protection Environment

Introduction

1. Dissemination of International Humanitarian, Human Rights and Refugee Law
2. Capacity Building
3. Inclusion of International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Conventions, Treaties and Standards and Humanitarian Principles in Peace Agreements
4. Working with Parties to the Conflict Toward Respect for International Law and Humanitarian Principles
   1. Promotion of Ground Rules and Codes of Conduct Based on International Legal Standards and Humanitarian Principles
   2. Special Protocols or Initiatives to Address International Law and/or Humanitarian Principles and Violations
5. Protection and Peacekeeeping: Links to Humanitarian Work
6. Supporting Community-Initiated Protection Strategies

Chapter 4: Preserving and Protecting Life, Health and Dignity Through Humanitarian Action

Introduction

1. Family Unity and Tracing
2. Nutrition/Food Aid and Food Security
3. Water and Sanitation
4. Shelter and Site Planning
5. Health Services
6. Education
7. Income Generation
8. Identification and Documentation
9. Preventing and Responding to Threats to Life (Arbitrary or Summary Execution, Disappearances, Indiscriminate Attack)
10. Preventing and Responding to Torture and Mutilation
11. Preventing and Responding to Sexual Violence
12. Preventing and Responding to Forced Recruitment, Trafficking, Abduction and Slavery
13. Preventing and Responding to the Taking of Hostages
14. Preventing and Responding to Abuses Relating to Detention
15. Preventing and Responding to Violations of Freedom of Movement
16. Preventing and Responding to Arbitrary Expropriation of Property or Discriminatory Property Laws

Chapter 5: Practices that Promote and Protect the Rights of Specific Groups

1. Practices to Promote and Protect the Rights of Women and Girls
   1. Participation of Women in Programmes and Political and Cultural Life
   2. Protection Against Forced Marriage
   3. Ending the Practice of Female Genital Mutilation
   4. Ensuring Girls' and Women's Right to Education
   5. Preventing the Mobilisation of Women Soldiers
2. Practices to Promote and Protect the Rights of Children
   1. Inclusion of Children in Planning and Implementation
   2. Child Soldiers
   3. Unaccompanied Children
   4. Street Children
   5. Ensuring the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of Children
   6. Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Children Affected by War and Displacement
3. Practices to Protect Displaced People
   1. Preventing Displacement
   2. Protection During Flight and Displacement
   3. Protection in Camps and Special Settings (i.e. Urban Areas)
   4. Protection During and After Return
4. Practices to Promote and Protect the Rights of the 'Invisible Vulnerable', Including Older People
5. Practices to Promote Staff Security and Protect Human Rights Defenders

Chapter 6: Remedial Activities and Action to Ensure Accountability

Introduction

1. Justice: Ending Impunity
2. Truth Commissions
3. Reconciliation Projects and Programmes
4. Demobilization, Disarmament and Rehabilitation

Appendices and Index

Index
Appendix 1. Selected On-Line Resources and Bibliography for Field Personnel
Appendix 2. Interact! How to Contact Us with Your Ideas
Acknowledgements

Documents posted on the pages under Protecting Rights through Humanitarian Action do not imply endorsement by any member organisations/agencies/offices or standing invitees of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee.