Code of Conduct
A code of conduct for peace, justice and human rights in the tsunami region.
The Tsunami was a natural disaster but...
- The disaster was greatly exacerbated by many peoples' extreme poverty and marginalization.
Most families impacted by this crisis are subsistence farmers and fishers living in conflicted regions such as Aceh, Sri Lanka, or Burma/Myamar.
To protect such communities, MCC will follow the "Code of Good Practice" for Non-Governmental Humanitarian Agencies.
- MCC has supported the Sphere Project and the Humanitarianism and War Project which call for careful planning and evaluation to guard against religious, caste, ethnic, economic and gender discrimination.
Sphere Project
Humanitarianism and War Project
Many people impacted directly by this disaster are Muslim:
- Many people who support MCC are Christian. Care needs to be taken to avoid the inevitable perception that peoples' faith convictions will be taken advantage of.
- Use of MCC phrases "A Christian Resource for Meeting Human Need," or "In the Name of Christ" in an interfaith context will be explained up-front and carefully to those who join in MCC response efforts.
- Rumors are circulating that some Christian groups will use this disaster to start Christian communities in destroyed Muslim neighborhoods. If this weakness is taken advantage of it could lead to years of hostility and violence.
- Much of MCC's work will be done with local Christians, who understand local religious sensitivities and need to live with whatever feelings of friendship and/or hostility international aid agency responses bring.
- MCC encourages its supporters to see this as a moment to show Godly compassion and avoid activities that are perceived as competitive, anti-Islamic, or violating inter-religious bridge building.
