DBG Code of Conduct

The following DBG code of conduct was fundamentally adopted from the International Red Cross, the Red Crescent Movement and other international NGOs with disaster response programs/projects-

Article1 - Humanitarian imperatives comes first

The right to receive humanitarian assistance, and to offer it, is a fundamental humanitarian principle, which should be enjoyed by all people .DBG recognize its obligation to provide humanitarian assistance it is needed within Somalia. As members of the international community, DBG recognize to provide humanitarian assistance wherever is needed. Hence, the need for unimpeded access of affected populations is fundamental importance of exercising responsibility. DBG prime motivation is to alleviate human sufferings amongst those least able to withstand the stresses caused by disasters. When DBG provides humanitarian aid is not a partisan or political act and should not view as such.

Article2- Assistance to an individual or a community in need is given regardless of the clan, race, creed, gender or nationality of the recipients, and without adverse distinction of any kind

Aid priorities are calculated on the bases of need alone. Wherever possible, DBG will base the provision of relief and development assistance upon through assessment of the needs of the targeted communities and local capacities already in place for satisfying those needs.

The entire DBG programs will reflect considerations of proportionality. Human sufferings must be alleviated wherever it is found. Thus, the provision of assistance will reflect the degree of suffering it seeks to alleviate and the developmental need of targeted community. In the process of implementing these approaches, the DBG Board of Directors recognizes the crucial role of women in conflict/disaster prone communities, and will ensure their positions are supported by DBG.
The implementation of such a universal, impartial and independent policy can only be effective if DBG and its partners have accesses to the necessary resources to provide for such equitable relief, and have equal access to all disaster victims.
Artcile3 - Aid will not be used to further particular political and religious stand point

DBG shall endeavor not to act as an instrument of government or government foreign policies. Humanitarian aid will be given according to the needs of individuals, families and communities.

Article4- DBG shall endeavor not to act as instrument for governments or any other entities
DBG will never knowingly or through negligence, allow itself, its employees or other bodies that may serve purposes other than those which are strictly humanitarian and developmental, nor will the NGO act as instrument of foreign policies of donor governments.
DBG values and promotes the voluntary giving of relief and developmental aid by individuals and organizations as motivation and support of its work. As much as possible DBG will seek to avoid dependence upon a single funding source of any particular donor.

Article5 - DBG shall endeavor to respect culture and custom
DBG will endeavor to respect the culture, customs and structure of communities it is working in within Somalia.

Article6- DBG shall attempt to build disaster response capabilities based on local capacities
All people and communities-even in disaster-possess capacities as well as vulnerabilities. Where possible, DBG shall strengthen these capacities by enhancing and utilizing local disaster coping mechanism, employing local staff, purchasing local materials and trading with local companies and will cooperate with local government structures where appropriate.
DBG will place a high priority on the proper coordination of its emergence responses in collaboration with stakeholders and other organizations operating in the Emergence Response Sector.

Article7 -Ways shall be found to involve program/project beneficiaries in the management of assistance given to them

Disaster response and development assistance should never be imposed upon the beneficiaries. Effective relief and sustainable devolvement can best be achieved where the intended beneficiaries are involved in the design, management and implementation of the assistance program. DBG will strive to achieve full community participation in its relief and development programs.
Article8-Relief aid must strive to reduce future vulnerabilities to disaster as well as meeting basic needs

All relief actions affect the prospect of long ¬term development, either in positive or negative fashion. DBG recognize this and therefore will strive to implement programs which actively reduce beneficiary's vulnerability to future disasters and also create sustainable livelihoods. Furthermore, DBG will endeavor to minimize negative impacts of relief assistance. DBG will actively avoid creating in its programs the syndrome of dependence. In addition, DBG will pay great attention in designing and managing relief projects the negative impacts of environmental derogation. Accordingly, all DBG relief operations shall be environmentally friendly.

Article9- DBG holds itself accountable to those it seeks to assist and those from whom it accepts resources
DBG often acts as an institutional link in the partnership between those who wish to assist and those who need assistance during disasters and development activities. Therefore, DBG holds itself accountable to both constituencies.
All DBG dealings with donors and beneficiaries shall be accountable and transparent matter. DBG recognize the need to report on its activities, financial accounting as well as reporting on progress and impacts of programs. DBG recognize the obligation to insure appropriate monitoring of aid distribution and to carryout regular assessments the impacts of disaster assistance. DBG programs will be based on high standards of professionalism and expertise in order to minimize the wastage of valuable resources.
Article10-DBG information and publicity in fundraising activities recognize that disaster victims and developmental aid beneficiaries are dignified human beings and not hopeless objects

Respect for disaster victims and developmental aid recipients as equal partners shall never be forgotten. In fundraising activity DBG shall portray the images of disaster victims and development aid beneficiaries as dignified people and their capacities and aspirations should be highlighted and not just their vulnerabilities and their fears. While cooperating with the media for public response enhancement, DBG will not allow demands of international or local media for publicity to take precedence of maximizing overall relief assistance.