GoodCorporation helps businesses operating in conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAs) to identify, assess and manage human rights and conflict-related risks, enabling them to operate responsibly and sustainably in even the most challenging environments.
Operating in CAHRAs carries unique challenges for businesses. Conflict and instability create significantly more human rights and coruption concerns than stable environments.
Existing risks such as forced or child labour are amplified. Vulnerable groups are the hardest hit and the institutions that protect rights are often weakened. Corruption too can become more prevalent. Weak governance and fragile institutions lead to an increased risk of bribery, extortion, or illicit dealings that can undermine ethical business operations and exacerbate conflict, while also contributing to adverse human rights impacts on workers and local communities.
Understanding these risks and how to mitigate them is essential to prevent harm and safeguard against legal and reputational exposure.
With 25 years’ experience advising businesses on human rights and corruption risk prevention, including in CAHRAs, GoodCorporation offers a range of tailored services to help businesses helps navigate these complex challenges.
Conflict sensitivity assessment
In-depth analysis of how operations, partnerships and investments may interact with, contribute to, exacerbate or be affected by existing or emerging conflict dynamics. This helps ensure the identification and mitigation of conflict-related risks and the development of strategies to avoid contributing to conflict while operating responsibly in complex and fragile environments.
Heightened human rights due diligence (hHRDD):
Assessment of the actual and potential impact of business activities on human rights while also considering how operations may contribute to, exacerbate, or be affected by local conflict dynamics and the resulting impacts on human rights.. Ensures companies correctly identify and manage human rights and conflict-related risks in high-risk environments.
Responsible disengagement assessment:
Evaluation of the impact of ending a business relationship against the potential harm to people associated with continuing the relationship.
Delivers structured and responsible disengagement strategies designed to avoid or minimise adverse impacts on affected people and communities while managing operational and reputational risk.
Governance and operational policies:
Development of governance frameworks and policies for responsible entry, operation, monitoring and exit in CAHRAs.
All policies, procedures and monitoring recommendations align with international human rights and anti-corruption standards where relevant.
CAHRA training:
Targeted training to equip stakeholders with the knowledge and skills to identify, prevent, and address human rights and conflict-related impacts, strengthening the organisation’s capacity to operate responsibly and sustainably. This includes effective monitoring strategies that enable companies to respond quickly mitigate adverse impacts.
To help companies operating on conflict-affected and high-risk areas, GoodCorporation has developed a CAHRA map structured around definitions established by the OECD and UNDP. The map cross-references data from civil society organisations. The map is built on a three-level classification framework:​
Use of this tool enables an organisation to identify, assess and mitigate risk exposure across its operations and supply chains, supporting informed decision-making and compliance with regulatory requirements.​
Conducted enhanced human rights due diligence on an agricultural commodity being produced in a conflict-affected context, including conflict impact analysis, and interviews with suppliers and local experts.​ The ultimate goal was to understand whether temporary disengagement should be considered and how best to minimise any adverse impact on people.
Evaluated a Nigerian energy company’s operations across offices and onshore/offshore assets, assessing labour and community rights with a focus on the presence of military and security forces and their impacts on workers and local communities.
Conducted an on-the-ground human rights assessment for a major oil and gas company in Eritrea, examining conflict-related risks including forced conscripted labour in supply chains, arbitrary arrest, detention and enforced disappearance.
Conducted an on-the-ground human rights assessment for the offshore branch of an energy company, in partnership with the Danish Institute of Human Rights, focusing on conflict-related risks from military and public security presence.
The volatility and tension associated with CAHRAs increase the likelihood of business activities becoming embroiled in human rights abuses. In conflict-affected areas we see:
Higher risks for people: People in CAHRAs face elevated threats to their safety, rights and well-being. Conflict can amplify existing vulnerabilities, including forced labour, child labour and discrimination. Institutions designed to protect rights, courts, labour inspectorates and trade unions, may collapse or become complicit during periods of conflict.
Vulnerable groups more adversely affected: Women, children, migrants, internally displaced persons and minority populations often face higher levels of risk which needs to be taken into account when assessing and managing operational and human rights risks.
Business neutrality compromised and exposed to scrutiny: Companies operating in CAHRAs can influence local conflict dynamics, often inadvertently. Without effective safeguards, business activities risk contributing to instability or harm. At the same time, investors, regulators and civil society increasingly scrutinise corporate conduct in these contexts, making proactive risk management essential to protect reputation and maintain operational continuity.
Supply chain complexity: Human rights risks are not limited to a company’s direct operations. Suppliers, subcontractors and local partners may also contribute to adverse impacts. Effective oversight across the value chain, including robust supply chain due diligence, is essential to prevent indirect harm and maintain ethical standards.
Given these heightened and often systemic risks, companies need to enhance their understanding of the contexts in which they are operating. To act responsibly in such volatile environments, companies are expected to conduct heightened human rights due diligence (hHRDD).
An effective hHRDD assessment enables an organsiations to fully assess the impact of its activities on the people involved and take the necessary steps to ensure their business operations do not exacerbate existing tensions or contribute to any conflict-driven abuses.
GoodCorporation has supported companies operating in 38 countries classified as conflict-affected and high-risk areas. We work with locally trained counterparts to strengthen contextual understanding, improve cultural awareness and build trust with communities, something that is critical to the credibility and effectiveness of any human rights assessment or due diligence process.
Our CAHRA work integrates expertise across human rights due diligence, conflict sensitivity and anti-corruption, drawing on the same rigorous, evidence-based approach that underpins all of GoodCorporation’s assessments and consulting services. We provide practical, actionable guidance tailored to the specific risks, operating context and regulatory obligations of each client, helping businesses protect people, safeguard reputation and demonstrate responsible conduct in the most complex environments.
To ensure best practice, the frameworks and methodology for our CAHRA work are based on the international standards for companies operating in CAHRAs including the UN Heightened HRDD Guidance for Business in Conflict-Affected Areas and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance on Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from CAHRAs.
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CAHRAs are regions affected by conflict, instability or weak governance. In these environments, legal protections may be limited, oversight can be inconsistent and risks to people and business operations are often heightened.
Risks are typically more severe and harder to manage due to weak or compromised institutions, shifting local dynamics and limited access to reliable information. This can increase exposure to legal liability, reputational damage, operational disruption and challenges in maintaining effective oversight.
Heightened human rights due diligence is an enhanced approach used in high-risk environments to identify and assess potential impacts, prioritise the most severe risks and implement appropriate mitigation measures. It takes into account the potential impact of the conflict on people and the businesses’ potential contribution to the conflict, and requires ongoing monitoring as conditions can change rapidly.
Risk assessments are important when entering new markets, engaging local partners or suppliers, or where existing operations are exposed to changing conflict dynamics. Regular review is often needed to ensure risks remain appropriately managed.
Managing risk typically involves a combination of targeted due diligence, stronger controls over operations and third parties, clear governance structures and ongoing monitoring. Companies also need to ensure that decision-making takes account of both operational risks and potential impacts in high-risk contexts.
Whether you have a question, need more information about our services, or would like to explore how we can help your business, please get in touch.
