Development Research Group (DRG) contributed key research to the Humanitarian Rapid Research Initiative’s study on Navigating Ethical Dilemmas for Humanitarian Action in Afghanistan. This research formed the foundation of the UK Humanitarian Innovation Hub’s May 2024 Guide on Navigating Ethical Dilemmas for Humanitarian Action in Afghanistan. 

The rapid review, in which DRG played a key role, drew on 250 interviews with humanitarian providers and recipients, a dedicated survey of Afghan women, and an extensive review of literature on humanitarian ethics. The study examines the complex ethical challenges facing humanitarian actors in Afghanistan, particularly in light of Taliban decrees that bar women from employment in aid delivery. The guide provides practical tools for humanitarian organisations striving to balance principled action with operational realities on the ground.