Data responsibility in humanitarian action is the safe, ethical and effective management of personal and non-personal data for operational response. It is a critical issue for the humanitarian system to address and the stakes are high. The OCHA Data Responsibility Guidelines (‘the Guidelines’) offer a set of principles, processes and tools that support data responsibility in OCHA’s work.
Responsible data management can no longer remain an abstract principle; it must be translated into concrete actions on the ground. This is the purpose of the Data Responsibility Guidelines from OCHA, updated in January 2025.
These guidelines build on the sector’s collective efforts by providing a clear operational framework for practitioners and coordinators, whether they work at headquarters, within clusters, or directly with affected populations. At the heart of their recommendations are the protection of vulnerable people and the principles of transparency, security, and accountability. Aligned with current challenges, the Guidelines also address issues linked to emerging technologies – artificial intelligence, big data, and digital tracking tools – and offer practical tools (diagnostics, SOPs, registers, and sharing protocols) to support organisations in implementing responsible data practices.
For NGOs, this document is a key resource: it enables teams to combine operational effectiveness with adherence to humanitarian principles, providing concrete guidance to act responsibly in a rapidly evolving digital environment.