The changing humanitarian landscapeDr Sara PantulianoDirector– Humanitarian Policy Group, Overseas Development Institute

Beijing, October 2015

CHANGING LANDSCAPE

• Rising involvement of 'newly acknowledged actors'

• Looking historically, we are seeing a change in perceptions, not actions

CRISIS OF LEGITIMACYChanges do not address root causes of challenges facing

system

RISING GLOBAL ACTORS: CHINA

• Long history of responding to disasters• Affected by a large number of disasters• Becoming more effective at crisis response

both domestically and internationally

• Developing own mechanisms and approaches

• 'Drop the monopoly on humanitarian principles'

RISING GLOBAL ACTORS

REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS

• ROs have become increasingly involved in HA over past few decades

• Dedicated humanitarian departments and capacity established in many.

• Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) = legally-binding

• Mandate limited to disasters, not conflicts • Myanmar and Typhoon Haiyan

REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS - ASEAN

• Long history of providing services, goods and cash

• Increasingly innovative, technological and commercial

PRIVATE SECTOR

Kenya

• Mobile money and cash transfers

• Support to fundraising (K4K)

• DRR-focused micro-credit

Jordan

• WFP e-vouchers w/ banks

• UNHCR optical ATMS

• NGOs promoting local procurement

Indonesia

• Disaster preparedness at the local level

• Free mobile services

• Fundraising support

Haiti

• Tracking of displacement• Free mobile credit to enable

content • Mobile-based needs assessment

LOCAL and DIASPORA

• Able to access areas international organisations cannot reach

• Face challenges stemming from funding, partnerships and counter-terrorism laws

• Power imbalance between local and international organisations

• The architecture of the humanitarian system is at a critical juncture.

• Geopolitical changes mandate shift in how aid works