Do-No-Harm principle

The Do-No-Harm (DNH) principle is both a guiding concept and a framework, long utilised in the humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding sectors. It ensures that external actors, especially those operating in fragile or conflict-affected settings, actively consider and mitigate any potentially negative consequences of their interventions. In the context of peace, DNH refers to approaches that avoid causing unintended harm in the short, medium, or long term, particularly by preventing the exacerbation of existing conflict dynamics. A proper DNH assessment relies on a rigorous and systematic understanding of the local context and the underlying peace and conflict dynamics.