Humanitarian work has developed from small-scale assistance by individuals, missionaries, charities, communities and foundations to a wide variety of programs organized by large and small international and national NGOs (non-governmental organizations), national governments, and transnational organizations such as the United Nations. Humanitarian organizations today are more professionally managed and better equipped and prepared than years ago. However direct exposure to misery, the ever-growing numbers of people affected by humanitarian crises, deteriorating safety and security conditions, and limited available resources mean that humanitarian workers remain exposed to a wide variety of sources of stress.

Good staff care and psychosocial care have proven to be an important asset in stress management and the prevention and treatment of traumatic and post-traumatic stress. However, although there is awareness of these issues in most organizations, adequate care systems for national and international staff are often underdeveloped and lack attention and resources.

Having wide experience of both national and international humanitarian agencies worldwide, the Antares Foundation has seen the importance of addressing stress on all levels in many organizations. Requests for information, ideas and strategies for developing a stress program for humanitarian workers led to the development and implementation of these Guidelines for Good Practice.