Humanitarian Policy Group’s Post

A Commitment to Humanitarian Collaboration and Equity Amidst the Sudan Conflict In an era where the challenges of humanitarian aid and development are magnified by the ongoing conflict in Sudan, I am reaffirming my dedication to fostering intensive and boundless collaboration with all relevant partners and stakeholders. This commitment encompasses the international community, United Nations agencies, both international and Sudanese non-governmental organizations, and most critically, the local communities in Sudan directly impacted by unjust barriers preventing the receipt of humanitarian aid. Our shared goal is clear: to ensure seamless access to vital humanitarian interventions for those in dire need within Sudan, removing any delays or restrictions. This moment in Sudan represents a crucial opportunity for us to stand together against any form of discrimination within the humanitarian aid and development sectors. Such disparities are not only fundamentally unacceptable but also counter to our collective pursuit of fairness and justice. I declare with conviction that the era of directives that control the fates of Sudanese citizens and deliberately endanger lives by obstructing humanitarian aid deliveries has ended. Our unwavering dedication is to advocate for and implement inclusive practices that respect the dignity and rights of every individual affected by the Sudan conflict, underlining our commitment to a world marked by greater equity and compassion. As we navigate the unwarranted conflict in Sudan, my resolve to address and oppose all forms of violations against civilians remains steadfast. This commitment is more than a pledge—it is a testament to our solidarity and determination to protect and uplift every member of the Sudanese community affected by this ongoing war. Together, we can and will make a significant difference in Sudan. #HumanitarianAid #SudanConflict #Collaboration #Equity #Justice #HumanRights

The #WestAfrica region faces some of the world's most complex challenges and the acute crises are deteriorating almost everywhere in the region. In the Central Sahel alone, #Mali, #Burkina Faso and #Niger, some 17 million people are currently in humanitarian need. How do we preserve the continuity of aid delivery in times of political instability?   I'm happy to be a co-signatory to this oped, warning that our region is at risk of becoming a blind spot on the international community’s radar. Read more for key actions that would reduce the impact of crises and therefore response costs:"

Yemenis are seeking sustainable development over humanitarian aid, which they argue creates #aidDependency and stifles local businesses. But is Yemen ready to transition from an aid recipient to a development partner? The answer can be found in a recent study I co-authored for @sanaacentre on the Humanitarian-Development Nexus. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/eADSKkZr #Yemen #sustainabledevelopment #humanitarianaid #developmentpartner

The recent article from ODI’s Humanitarian Practice Network is a thought-provoking reminder for all of us in the #humanitarian sector to rethink what true reform requires. We're pleased that our report with Humanitarian Outcomes on local responses to the #Ukraine conflict was featured https://lnkd.in/ekenf4tJ. At its core, the article's message strongly resonates with us. In our own reflection, particularly through our recent internal evaluation of the Humanitarian Rapid Research Initiative (HRRI), we’ve recognised that producing impactful reports is only the first step. While change associated with mega-crises may not always be immediately visible, it often manifests in more subtle ways—through shifts in relationships, reframing of key issues, and the adaptation of systemic processes. To drive real change, we must create space for difficult conversations around findings from such reports, invest in exploratory #research and #innovation, and make a concerted effort to meet humanitarians where they are, while understanding the daily barriers that hold back change. We are already taking steps in this direction. With the support of partners like ALNAP, Humanitarian Advisory Group, GLOW Consultants (Private) Limited, and others, and through increased responsive funding, we are committed to moving beyond analysis and driving actionable change. You can read the full article here 👉 : https://lnkd.in/ePS6cbNc

Funding humanitarian programs will continue into the new year, but the funding cuts of the previous year may impact the prioritization of the most immediate and most life-threatening needs. The United Nations OCHA released the Global Humanitarian Overview for 2024. This annual assessment of the global humanitarian sector provides insight into the humanitarian action undertaken by the UN and its partners and reviews current and future trends in this sector. https://lnkd.in/drWZp84X

Fascinating piece here by Ed Schenkenberg van Mierop in The New Humanitarian on the crisis in northern Ethiopia. Lots to learn here on the frustrations and failure of UN-led collective efforts as well as what should be learned from them. "Endless global discussions on strengthening capacity, localising decision-making, and connecting humanitarian and development assistance have done little to avoid repeated failures. Accountability for this is long overdue." https://lnkd.in/eRdDGvZg

«Access, Power, Trust: Lessons from Humanitarian Aid in Protracted Displacement». New policy brief with Eva Chalkiadaki Alikhan Mohamed Danesh Jayatilaka, PhD Cathrine Brun Access, power, and trust are salient in fostering accountability-conducive relationships in humanitarian aid. This is central to any serious effort toward realizing prevailing ‘localization agenda’ concerns, centered on an equitable engagement with grassroots, community and local level actors. In contexts of protracted displacement globally, this is particularly important, as days, weeks and months, become years, and displacement – in its protractedness – becomes a ‘new normal’. As any humanitarian crisis may become protracted, there is a need for aid actors to commit to accountability goals, both foregrounding bottom-up voices and perspectives, and opening for the possibility of a longer-term view, beyond an ‘immediate relief’ perspective, right from the beginning. Drawing on research in Sri Lanka, with Northern Muslims in Jaffna, Mannar and Puttalam, conducted as part of the ‘Holding Aid Accountable: Relational Humanitarianism in Protracted Crisis’ project, funded by the Research Council of Norway. PRIO https://lnkd.in/gCcBDw5F

The report by Haidara (2024) shines a light on the complexities of implementing the humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) nexus in Mali, where colonial legacies continue to shape aid practices. Despite the HDP approach's potential to address the intertwined crises of armed conflict, humanitarian needs, and governance issues, humanitarian actors remain hesitant to adopt it due to fears of merging military and humanitarian efforts. The study emphasizes the necessity of a decolonial perspective that prioritizes local needs and equitable partnerships for more effective aid delivery. Highlights: - The HDP nexus is crucial in Mali's context, marked by escalating armed conflict and humanitarian crises. - Humanitarian actors have been resistant to adopting the HDP approach, fearing confusion with military operations. - The involvement of local stakeholders is essential for building peaceful societies in crisis areas like Mali. - Military missions have been the first to implement the HDP nexus, raising concerns among humanitarian organizations. Why is this relevant? The intersection of humanitarian aid, development, and peace efforts directly impacts civil society and national security. Understanding and addressing the dynamics of the HDP nexus in crisis areas like Mali is essential for fostering stability and resilience in affected communities. As we navigate global challenges, a nuanced approach that prioritizes local voices can lead to more effective and sustainable solutions. Check out the report here: https://lnkd.in/eg6qXVwW

In March 2024, the European Humanitarian Forum (#EHF2024) brought together the humanitarian community in Brussels to shed light on major humanitarian crises. VOICE and many of its members participated in the event organised by DG ECHO and the Belgian presidency of the EU, sharing their commitments, good practices, and key messages to tackle the challenges #humanitarian aid faces. The #VOICE Key Highlights gather reflections on the main topics discussed: 🔗 Addressing the funding gap 🔍 Highlighting neglected crises 🌀 Climate change and humanitarian needs 🕊️ Urgent need to protect humanitarian space 🌱 Advocating for locally-led responses As we reflect on the discussions from the EHF 2024, it is clear that while progress has been made, significant work lies ahead. VOICE remains committed to bridging the gap between commitments and action, fostering dialogues that lead to tangible outcomes. 📌 For more insights and detailed #reflections from the Forum, read our full article: https://lnkd.in/dkk2F-2v