Humanitarian Access
Monitoring barriers to humanitarian aid delivery during the Olympic Truce period
Why Humanitarian Access Matters for the Olympic Truce
The ancient Olympic Truce (ekecheiria) was not a ceasefire per se, but rather a guarantee of safe passage - allowing athletes, artists, and spectators to travel freely to and from the Games without fear of attack. In the modern context, this principle extends to humanitarian corridors: the ability for aid workers, medical supplies, and essential goods to reach populations in need. Monitoring humanitarian access during Truce periods reflects this fundamental spirit of the ekecheiria.
Priority Countries
Countries where humanitarian access is most constrained, as identified by expert advisors
Gaza
extreme constraintsSevere restrictions on aid delivery amid ongoing conflict
Sudan
extreme constraintsCivil war severely impeding humanitarian operations
South Sudan
high constraintsPersistent access constraints in conflict-affected areas
Ukraine
high constraintsFrontline areas face significant humanitarian access challenges
Syria
high constraintsComplex political landscape affecting aid distribution
DR Congo
high constraintsArmed group activity disrupts eastern regions
Afghanistan
high constraintsRestrictions on female aid workers affecting operations
Understanding ACAPS Humanitarian Access Scores
The ACAPS methodology measures humanitarian access using 9 indicators across 3 pillars, scoring each country from 0 (no constraints) to 5 (extreme constraints):
Pillar 1: People's Access
- • Denial of humanitarian needs
- • Obstruction of services
Pillar 2: Org Access
- • Entry impediments (bureaucratic)
- • Movement restrictions
- • Programmatic interference
- • Violence against aid workers
Pillar 3: Physical/Security
- • Hostilities affecting aid
- • Landmines/IEDs/UXO
- • Environmental constraints
Fragile Peace Zones
ICU WatchPost-conflict regions where military hostilities have ceased but stability remains fragile. These require careful monitoring during the Olympic Truce to prevent re-escalation.
Africa
Northern Mozambique
Cabo DelgadoInsurgency reduced after regional military interventions
South Sudan
Nationwide2018 peace agreement holding tenuously
Libya
Post-ceasefire zonesCeasefire since 2020 largely intact
Middle East
Iraq
Post-ISIS zonesMilitary defeat of ISIS left regions in recovery mode
Syria
Ceasefire zonesSome areas stabilized under ceasefire agreements
Europe & Caucasus
Nagorno-Karabakh
Armenia–AzerbaijanCeasefires since 2020, renewed agreements in 2023
Kosovo & Bosnia
Western BalkansNo renewed conflict, but reconciliation ongoing
Latin America
Colombia
Post-FARC zonesPeace agreement implementation continues
Why monitor post-conflict zones? These regions are engaged in reconciliation, disarmament, and peacebuilding. Risks of relapse remain high due to weak institutions, economic instability, ethnic divisions, and external interference. The Olympic Truce provides a symbolic window for reinforcing these fragile peace processes.
Maritime Mine Threats
Shipping RiskGlobal maritime mine incidents threaten shipping lanes, disrupt trade, and endanger humanitarian supply chains. These hotspots highlight urgent risks to mariners and global commerce.
Urgent Incidents
Black Sea
Ukraine conflict zoneCargo vessel NS Pride struck explosive device near Odesa in August 2025. Ongoing hazard from floating mines and debris.
Red Sea & Gulf of Aden
Yemen conflict zoneHouthi forces have deployed sea mines alongside missile and drone attacks. MV Eternity C sunk, multiple vessels damaged.
Ongoing Clearance
Baltic Sea
NATO clearance operationsNATO and EU-led operations continue to clear WWII-era mines, especially around shipping lanes.
Persian Gulf
Oil shipping routesRegular clearance operations reduce risks to oil shipping routes, though hazards persist from historical conflicts.
Legacy Risks
South China Sea
Territorial watersHistoric mines and tensions over territorial waters pose risks to fishing and trade.
Pacific Islands
WWII remnantsWWII mines still affect fishing communities, limiting safe access to coastal waters.
Strategic Impact: The Black Sea and Red Sea are the most urgent maritime mine zones today. Rerouting ships away from the Red Sea has cut Suez Canal revenues by 40% since 2023. Mines threaten food security by blocking grain exports from Ukraine and disrupting fishing in the Pacific. These are not just remnants of past wars — they are active threats to civilians, economies, and global stability.
Sources: Dryad Global, Lloyd's List, World Ports Source
Exemplary Humanitarian Access
Best PracticesCountries scoring well on humanitarian access (ACAPS Score 0-1), demonstrating effective support for humanitarian operations and refugee populations
Moldova
↑ improvedExemplary care for Ukrainian refugees despite limited resources
Hosted refugees equivalent to 5% of its population
Romania
→ stableStrong humanitarian access with no significant constraints
Efficient refugee processing and integration programs
Peru
↑ improvedImproved humanitarian access despite regional challenges
Effective coordination with international organizations
Panama
→ stableConsistent humanitarian access for migrant populations
Manages Darien Gap migration corridor effectively
Angola
→ stableLow humanitarian access constraints in post-conflict recovery
Open access for international humanitarian organizations
Rwanda
→ stableStrong institutional support for refugee populations
Hosts significant refugee population with minimal barriers
Why highlight positive examples? These countries demonstrate that effective humanitarian access is achievable. Low scores (0-1) indicate minimal bureaucratic impediments, freedom of movement for aid workers, and supportive policies for refugee populations. Their practices serve as models for improving humanitarian access globally.
Source: ACAPS Humanitarian Access Overview July 2025, expert consultation with humanitarian professionals
Data Sources
Our humanitarian access monitoring draws on authoritative independent sources
ACAPS
(Assessment Capacities Project)Bi-annual Global Humanitarian Access Overview covering 80+ countries with 9 indicators across 3 pillars
Humanitarian Outcomes
(CORE Project)Direct surveys of crisis-affected populations on aid accessibility and humanitarian actor effectiveness
Expert Consultation
The humanitarian access monitoring for the Truce Foundation is developed in consultation with experienced humanitarian professionals with decades of field experience across UN agencies, USAID, and international NGOs. Our advisors have directed emergency operations in complex emergencies including the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, Ukrainian refugee coordination, and conflict responses in Sudan, Bosnia, Angola, and Gaza.
Our humanitarian advisor Doug Mercado brings extensive experience from senior roles at USAID and the UN, having coordinated humanitarian responses to some of the most challenging crises of recent decades.
How This Fits Our Methodology
Humanitarian corridors represent 25% of our composite Truce Compliance Index score. This data informs our assessment of whether states are enabling safe passage for aid.