The European Commission has expanded its guidelines on the provision of humanitarian aid to fight the Covid-19 pandemic in third countries subject to EU sanctions.
The additional guidelines specifically address countries or jurisdictions subject to sanctions in the context of the EU’s fight against terrorism, following the issuance of guidance directly concerning countries such as Syria (see EUROPE 12485/17), Iran, Venezuela and Nicaragua (see EUROPE 12603/6).
Due to their targeted nature, the EU anti-terrorism sanctions regulations do not cover medicines, medical equipment and medical assistance provided to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, humanitarian organisations are allowed, in certain cases, to enter into contact with persons or entities subject to EU sanctions if such contact is necessary to organise the safe and effective delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Humanitarian actors should also do their utmost to ensure that aid is not diverted to designated individuals or entities, including through informal transfers of funds such as hawala. However, they cannot be held liable for breaches of EU sanctions when they have acted in good faith.
More info at: https://bit.ly/3BaFFOj (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)