1. Our safeguarding commitment
World Humanitarian Support Foundation (“WHSF”) believes every child and young person has the right to safety, dignity, respect, education and protection from harm. Safeguarding is central to our technology, education, humanitarian, inclusion and community development work.
WHSF does not tolerate child abuse, exploitation, harassment, discrimination, bullying, neglect, unsafe conduct, sexual misconduct or abuse of power in any form.
2. Who this policy protects
This policy applies to children and young people under 18, girls, students, young women, vulnerable adults, learners with disabilities and people requiring additional support in WHSF programmes, online classes, mobile app communities, mentorship, volunteer activities and in-person events.
Where local law provides a higher standard of protection, WHSF aims to follow the higher standard.
3. Code of conduct for staff, volunteers and partners
Everyone representing WHSF must treat children and young people with dignity, use safe and transparent communication, follow approved supervision procedures, avoid hidden or unsupervised one-to-one settings where possible, never request inappropriate images, private meetings, gifts, money or personal favors from learners, and report concerns promptly.
4. Digital safeguarding
WHSF’s e-Classroom, mobile app, chatbot, certificate tools, video learning and online community spaces must be used responsibly. Digital safeguarding includes using official WHSF platforms, protecting learner information, moderating chats, avoiding inappropriate direct communication with minors, protecting photos and videos through appropriate consent, and reporting harmful or unsafe digital content.
5. Reporting safeguarding concerns
Anyone can report a safeguarding concern involving WHSF programmes, staff, volunteers, partners, visitors, online spaces or community activities. Concerns may include abuse, exploitation, harassment, unsafe behavior, intimidation, grooming, discrimination, neglect, bullying or misuse of personal information.
Contact local emergency services or child protection authorities immediately, then notify WHSF as soon as it is safe to do so.
To report a WHSF safeguarding concern, email info@worldhsfoundation.org with the subject line “Safeguarding Concern”. Include only necessary facts and avoid sharing sensitive details with unauthorized people.
6. How WHSF responds
When WHSF receives a safeguarding concern, we aim to prioritize safety, record the concern securely, assess immediate risk, take protective action where appropriate, refer to parents, guardians, schools, authorities, medical services or safeguarding agencies where required, and prevent retaliation against people who raise concerns in good faith.
7. Partners, schools and programme hosts
WHSF expects schools, programme hosts, mentors, donors, volunteers and partners to support safe programme delivery. Partners should cooperate with safeguarding procedures, consent requirements, supervision expectations, safe transport/event planning and incident reporting.
WHSF may pause or end collaboration where safeguarding standards are not respected.
8. Training, review and continuous improvement
WHSF will continue strengthening safeguarding through staff and volunteer orientation, programme review, reporting improvements, digital safety practices and feedback from communities.
Note: This policy is a public safeguarding framework. WHSF should adapt it with local child protection, legal and programme-specific procedures for each country or partner setting.