Tools

Humanitarian Access Working Group Toolkit

Humanitarian access working groups (HAWGs) have become a common feature of humanitarian responses across the globe over the past decade and there are now over 25 in operation across a range of contexts. Many are co-chaired by the United Nations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This toolkit is aimed at guiding the work of NGO co-chairs from the establishment of a HAWG through to the implementation of activities.

Child sitting on a home-made carriage in desert landscape

Toolkit overview

This toolkit is designed to help humanitarian access working group co-chairs improve humanitarian negotiations and access with tools, templates, and guidance.

1: Understanding

This sections details the guiding frameworks, concepts and principles that underpin humanitarian access and form the basis of nearly every activity an HAWG might engage in.

A group of men sit around a NRC member who is taking notes

2: Establishing

This section highlights best practice in establishing a HAWG and outlines its relationship with other parts of the humanitarian coordination system.

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3: Analysing, monitoring and reporting

This section details the importance of critically understanding a situation and how to establish a solid evidence base to inform negotiations and advocacy.

A woman is sat at the edge of a lake whilst washing clothes

4: Planning

This section provides guidance on how to use analysis and information collected to develop a strategy and workplan to bring about changes that facilitate humanitarian access.

Birdseye view of a village in the desert

5: Implementing

This section covers the range of activities that a humanitarian access working group might lead, support, or engage with.