USAID’s Post

🤲 Although most developed nations contribute assistance in one form or another to help their neighbors and poorer countries, almost all international aid is provided by up to 50 different nations and there are no global standards in place to measure the effectiveness of that aid. #donorcountries #aidsector #aid #asisstance #countriesinneed #developmentaid

Fourteen international humanitarian organisations are urging the European Commission to rethink its proposed shift to a transactional approach in development cooperation, as seen in a recently leaked draft Briefing Book from the European Commission’s Directorate General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA). This Briefing Book will set the direction for EU development in the next EU mandate.  João Martins, Regional Director, ADRA Europe states: “A recent survey conducted by Focus 2030 indicates that “73% of respondents in France, Germany and Italy believe that EU support for health, education and development in the poorest countries should be maintained or increased”. By focusing on the Global Gateway, the EU is going against the will of the large majority of Europeans. ADRA calls the EU to continue setting an example by supporting civil society and development cooperation initiatives in developing countries.”  Read the full statement, co-signed by ADRA, here: https://lnkd.in/d2dDH2PV

Sharing a recent collaboration, led by Dr Theresa Meki on Decolonising and localising Aid in the Pacific. As the Pacific Aid and Development debates continue, we thought to make a small contribution building on Peni Tawake, Allan, Ro Mereani, Anna, Jennifer and Yeshe's work. It is also timely considering the recent release of the new International Australian Development Plan. Closer to home, it builds into closed room concerns around the disparity between local and expat staff, knowledge valuing and support. Surely, more Pacific practitioners, with grounded knowledge, will have deeper reflections of these experiences and issues. Here we offer a conceptual amalgamation of deloconisation and localisation, with it's operationalisation through the acknowledgement of power asymmetries. Not wanting to leave this as a purely theoretical exercise, we argue and endorse the need for the practise of yielding and wielding power. There's a tough set of conversations/dialogue or "Vei-Talanoa"/"Tok Stori" that is overdue or if it is happening, it may be in need of critical momentum. The neo-colonial tendencies that prevail across varying experiences are difficult to deny. However, given the vast experience of development practitioners in the region, there is potential to overturn the modus operandi of "business as usual" or (colonisation by aid as usual). For Fiji, I was given to understand that the National Development Plan may be up for review by early next year. As such, these conceptual frames positioned within the policy ethos could be useful to elevating or leveraging the interests of our people. However, this may depend on a range of moving factors that will need renewed monitoring, underpinned by a deepened commitment. Like some in the region, we'd like to avoid the straight jacketing tendency of cynicism. As such, we hope that the paper offers a conceptual conduit and ultimately moves the debates and focus towards a mutually agreeable and equitable set of returns. Tangiu tu mass, Malo and Vinaka saka vakalevu!

📢The third edition of the European Humanitarian Forum will take place from Monday 18 to Tuesday 19 March 2024. The 2024 edition of the EHF “takes place in the context of sharply increasing global #humanitarian needs, at a time of shrinking humanitarian space, increasingly complex and protracted conflicts, the politicisation of aid, and increasing vulnerabilities due to climate change.” The main two focus themes for this year are the funding gap and prioritisation, as well as #neglected crises and fragile humanitarian environments. We are delighted to announce that during the Forum, the views of #VOICE and our humanitarian #NGO members will be shared during the high-level panels and the Humanitarian Talks that will take place during the two day’ event. The event is a key moment for humanitarian NGOs to: 🔵Raise more political support for and awareness about principled humanitarian action and the current challenges in the humanitarian system. 🔵Demonstrate NGOs’ added value in the delivery of aid. In particular, we are happy to announce that Dominic Crowley, VOICE President, will speak at the panel ‘Building stronger community resilience in fragile countries through better access to climate finance’ and Charlotte Schneider, VOICE Board Members and Action Contre la Faim Global Program Director, will be present at the panel ‘Enhancing the security of humanitarian workers in conflicts and complex emergencies’. International Rescue Committee, Danish Refugee Council / Dansk Flygtningehjælp, Norwegian Refugee Council, Welthungerhilfe (WHH), Médecins du Monde, Save the Children International, World Vision, World Vision EU Representation, Plan International, Plan International EU Office, GOAL Global, Handicap International - Humanity & Inclusion, Mercy Corps, CARE, Islamic Relief Worldwide, ACTION CONTRE LA FAIM, Oxfam, Oxfam EU office, Concern Worldwide 🔽Please find here a full overview of the VOICE participation: https://lnkd.in/gfWvExQU

This is a good piece that explains the (obvious?) importance of aid in these wrecked times... "We are currently in the midst of the the fastest and largest displacement crisis since World War II. [...] 110 million displaced are either within their own country or across borders. As a result [...] between 2012 and 2022, the share of ODA allocated to refugees in wealthy countries increased from 10 percent to 25 percent. A more fundamental shift is the use of international assistance to address global problems which impact us all. Investing in preventing, or reducing the severity of the next pandemic is a critical international priority with benefits for people in developing and developed countries alike." https://lnkd.in/egCXwe3Q #development #aid #humanitarian

Uniting for #Sudan and its Neighbors The International Humanitarian Conference for #Sudan and its neighbours, co-hosted in Paris by France, Germany, and the European Union, marked a critical juncture in international efforts to support the crisis in #Sudan and its neighboring countries. The convening of Member States, international bodies, and NGOs resulted in a commendable pledge of €2.03 billion to aid those impacted by the ongoing conflicts. Although this falls short of the $4.1 billion urgently needed to assist over 14.7 million people in #Sudan and millions more in host countries, it's a first step in the right direction. The conference was a testament to global solidarity, illustrating a united front to address the humanitarian needs of #Sudan. Bringing together stakeholders from various countries and international NGOs ensures that various perspectives and resources are harnessed. However, there was also a notable absence of #local voices. While the conference saw active participation from international entities, there could have been a greater inclusion of #local organizations from Sudan and neighboring areas. Their insights would have helped tailor the aid to meet the specific needs of local populations effectively. In addition, the conference focuses primarily on immediate financial aid, overshadowing the need to develop long-term strategies to address the #root causes of the conflict and ensure sustainable peace and development. To build on the successes of this conference, future initiatives must aim to involve more #local stakeholders in the planning and execution of aid programs. Additionally, there should be a strategic focus on not just alleviating the current crisis but also on fostering long-term #peace and stability in the region. The commitments made are a promising step forward, but the true test will be their swift and effective implementation, ensuring they meet the urgent and diverse needs of those affected by the conflict in #Sudan. As we continue to support and monitor these efforts, let's also call for deeper engagement and more comprehensive strategies that address both immediate and enduring challenges in the region. #peaceforsudan

Did you know that considerable discrepancies exist in humanitarian responses between the northeast and northwest regions of #Nigeria, despite comparable levels of need? Our new working paper with the Neem Foundation asks why, and offers FIVE recommendations for a more equitable response, including that: 🔸 State authorities should be the central actors in delivering protection, services and development interventions for affected people 🔸 Humanitarian actors must uphold humanitarian principles, and assistance must be provided on the basis of need 🔸 International humanitarian actors should engage state governments early on, to jointly create durable solutions 🔸 International organisations should support local organisations, especially those working within states, to address the crisis in the northwest 🔸 Donors must think and act holistically so that humanitarian and development needs can be tackled together. Read the paper in full now → https://lnkd.in/eW6sB9D6

Today, as part of Dóchas (the Irish Association of Non-Governmental Development Organisations), we are reminding the Irish Government that there is #NoTimeToLose when it comes to #Budget2025. We are calling on the Government to: ✔️ Make real progress towards spending 0.7% of gross national income on overseas aid by 2030… ✔️ By increasing the overseas aid budget by €292 million ✔️ Ensure 25% of all overseas aid is allocated to locally led initiatives that can deliver support directly to affected populations ✔️ Deliver our commitment of €225 million yearly in climate finance - at a minimum ✔️ Set a pathway to increase this allocation to Ireland’s fair share of €500 million a year There are nearly 300 million people around the world this year in need of humanitarian assistance. We must play our part.

New: We analyzed the potential reach of Project 2025's proposal to reinstate & expand the Mexico City Policy if Trump wins the election, likely implicating tens of billions more $ and many new sectors & organizations than in the past. Some of our key findings: * In FY 2022, more than $51 billion in U.S. foreign aid, spanning almost 180 countries, was obligated to non-USG prime recipients, the funding most likely to be directly implicated by the expansion proposal. * The majority (58%) was provided to multilateral organizations, recipients that have, to date, not been subject to the policy before. * By sector, humanitarian assistance accounted for the largest share of funding, followed by economic development, two sectors that would be newly subject to the policy under the expansion proposal. Health was the third largest sector. *There were more than 2,400 non-USG prime recipients of U.S. foreign aid in FY 2022. https://lnkd.in/eSk6ibdk

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