Celine Aoun’s Post

🌍 Humanitarian Assistance #Nugget -3 🌍 As a humanitarian worker and a project manager, my mission is to deliver impactful, meaningful support to communities in crisis or displacement. Over time, I’ve often asked myself: To what extent should beneficiaries participate in deciding the type of relief support they receive? 📌 Here’s what I’ve learned (I have failed a number of times but no more): When beneficiaries are actively involved in deciding the type of relief support they receive, the aid tends to align more closely with their actual needs. This approach fosters trust, builds ownership, and empowers communities by respecting their choices. It also helps avoid delivering unwanted or ineffective aid and promotes dignity by listening to those we aim to serve. #HumanitarianAid #CommunityEmpowerment #AidWorkerInsights #InclusiveRelief #EmpathyInAction #ReliefManagement #ImpactfulSupport

Learning from field The community at risk of disasters receives humanitarian aid only after navigating a series of persistent obstacles, which have yet to be prioritized for removal. These barriers, often bureaucratic and logistical in nature, delay critical assistance and exacerbate the community's vulnerability. Addressing and removing these obstacles must become a priority to ensure timely and effective aid delivery, ultimately enhancing the resilience and safety of at-risk populations.

A major theme emerging at AidEx - The Global Humanitarian Aid Community is the critical role of local actors in driving effective, longterm humanitarian solutions. When crises hit, it’s the people who are already there – those who know the land, understand the needs, and have existing relationships – who can respond the fastest and most effectively. This has always been a cornerstone of our approach at Hart. 83% of our workforce is made up of local staff who understand the impact of crises in their regions and what is needed most. They are not only first responders – they also play a crucial role in safeguarding communities and preventing conflicts from escalating. Let’s discuss how localisation is key to safeguarding humanitarian workers. Visit us at stand F10/b in the ILS Duty of Care Pavilion with CTG. #AidEx #HumanitarianAid #HumanitarianWorkers #DutyofCare

DI's approach to relief aid is informed by the personal experiences of our leadership and board members with internal and external displacement. We understand that cash assistance can effectively support displaced people in various ways, including: Dignity: Cash assistance allows people to make their own choices about how they recover and can help them avoid harmful coping strategies like child labor or forced marriage. Local economy: Cash assistance can help stimulate the local economy by increasing purchases, production, and employment opportunities. Basic needs: Cash assistance can help people buy essential goods like food, clothing, and school supplies, or pay medical bills. Child protection: Cash assistance can help reduce child labor and increase school enrollment. Physical safety: Cash assistance can help improve physical safety and deter new displacement. Reach more people: Cash assistance can be an effective way to reach people quickly and at a lower cost, especially in cities where most refugees live. https://lnkd.in/eR5PBBDk

🌍📊 Resource Spotlight: ESSN Key Highlights Report Explore a comprehensive overview of the Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) programme, showcasing its reach, impact, and vital achievements in providing cash assistance to vulnerable populations. This summary offers a detailed look at: 🎯 Programme targeting and transfer value calculations 📣 Media campaigns to raise awareness 🗣️ Feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement 🏆 Key milestones and successes For anyone involved in CVA, humanitarian aid, or social protection, this report offers key insights into how cash-based assistance is empowering individuals and strengthening resilience. 🔗 Check out the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eZMTnw-2 #CashAssistance #ESSN #CVA

In the aftermath of natural disasters, conflicts, and crises, humanitarian aid plays a vital role in providing immediate relief. From food, water, and medical care to shelter and emotional support, these efforts save lives and restore dignity.  Humanitarian efforts ensure that those affected by crises receive the support they need. Let's continue to make a difference by delivering not just aid, but hope for a better future. #HumanitarianAid #CrisisResponse #ReliefEfforts #GlobalSolidarity #EmergencyRelief #ResilienceBuilding

🌍 Based on learnings from earlier El Niño events, the United Nations OCHA-managed Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has developed a proactive approach for more effective and timely action. An independent review of CERF’s response to the severe El Niño episode of 2015-2016 highlighted that CERF often provided the first funding to El Niño-driven humanitarian disasters. However, it was noted that country teams generally applied for funds only when humanitarian impacts were already being felt. The review indicated that CERF funds could have been more effective if disbursed earlier, supporting the growing positive feedback on CERF-funded anticipatory and early action. In anticipation of the 2023-2024 El Niño event, CERF has taken early steps to reduce human losses and enhance cost-effectiveness by prioritizing early and #anticipatoryaction wherever possible, alongside traditional response efforts. Learn more about CERF's response👇 #InvestInHumanity

During my nearly 10 years in the development and humanitarian sector, I’ve witnessed firsthand how timely aid can save lives and transform communities. From supporting populations in conflict zones to rebuilding after disasters, I’ve seen how critical every dollar and every day can be. That’s why the recent Stop Work Order issued by USAID is so alarming. Halting billions in aid programs—especially in fragile regions—is a dangerous gamble. During my travels globally, I’ve met families who rely on these projects for survival, hope, and dignity. Freezing this support not only puts lives at risk but also undermines years of trust and progress. I fully believe in the need to evaluate and reform the aid industry to ensure efficiency, impact, and accountability. However, this abrupt and sweeping approach is not the way forward. Thoughtful, evidence-based reform is what’s needed—not reckless decisions that jeopardize the very people we aim to help!!! [Photo credit: https://lnkd.in/erYvUxh7]

In humanitarian aid, media attention and publicity selects the high-profile crisis areas where the resources are allocated to and where the help follows. Large organizations tend to focus on these areas due to their high visibility, while work in these zones is crucial, it leaves many suffering areas underserved. At Cypress, we take a different approach. Our mission is to help communities that are often left overlooked, prioritizing our mission over publicity. We venture into communities that rarely ever make the headlines, but desperately need any help they can get because aid is scarce. Whether it is a remote community recovering from horrific natural disaster damage or a town with limited recourse and funds, we strive to help where we can. Remembering that every community matters! This is what sets Cypress apart. We choose lesser-known areas because real change happens when we put our attention on the people rather than the publicity. Cypress works from the support of volunteers, where our success is measured by the number of lives we touched, uplifted and by the amount of smiles on faces. We love to ensure that no matter the person and no matter where they are located, they deserve the help they need and to never feel forgotten. At Cypress, we believe in doing the hard work that isn’t always seen. Cypress has and will continue to serve mission over publicity 💚

🚨 Humanitarian Needs Assessment – A Critical Skill for Effective Aid : In the field of humanitarian aid, one of the most important steps in delivering impactful support is conducting a Humanitarian Needs Assessment. This process is crucial in understanding the real needs of communities affected by disasters, conflicts, or other emergencies. A thorough needs assessment helps ensure that aid is both relevant and effective, allowing organizations to: 🔍 Identify the Most Urgent Needs – Understand the specific needs of affected populations (e.g., food, water, shelter, healthcare) – Prioritize resources and interventions based on data, not assumptions 📊 Design Evidence-Based Interventions – Use collected data to shape response strategies and interventions – Ensure aid is reaching those who need it most, in the right way 💡 Improve Coordination and Efficiency – Facilitate collaboration among different humanitarian actors to avoid duplication of efforts – Optimize the use of available resources for maximum impact By collecting accurate and timely data, organizations can make informed decisions that not only save lives but also improve long-term outcomes for vulnerable communities. The success of any humanitarian mission begins with a solid needs assessment. #HumanitarianAid #NeedsAssessment #DataDriven #EffectiveAid #HumanitarianImpact