Humanitarian Policy Group

Hot off the press! Ten ways to build a new narrative for humanitarianism 🗞️ https://lnkd.in/ey5K3MDu Patrick Gathara and I have an opinion piece in the The New Humanitarian We wrote it to challenge humanitarians but we wrote it from a place a love for what humanitarians strive for and of ambition for what humanitarianism can be. Thank you to the superb Humanitarian Policy Group including Freddie Carver Kate Oliver and team at ODI Global who convened the conversation which inspired this piece, and especially to wonderful fellow panellists Adelina Kamal and Shahin Ashraf MBE, and all the insightful members of the audience who asked such powerful questions. Any and all errors of course are mine and Patrick’s ;-) (Thank you also to all those involved in the Public Good Narrative Project at Global Cooperation Institute that goes beyond humanitarianism’s narrative challenges to the wider narrative challenges for policy in this moment. More on that here: https://lnkd.in/dNRgaPhh ) What do you think of our take? What would you add? How can we best build that new narrative for humanitarianism together? Read the article here: 🗞️ https://lnkd.in/ey5K3MDu

Too often, media portrayals of humanitarian action still appear deeply colonial – how can the sector work to change this enduring visual narrative? Patrick Gathara, Senior Editor for Inclusive Storytelling at The New Humanitarian, offered his thoughts on decolonising humanitarian action by looking to global practices that do not traditionally receive as much coverage. Patrick was speaking as part of our wider recent discussion unpacking global solidarity within an increasingly challenging aid context, which he moderated. 📺 You can watch the conversation back in full now → https://lnkd.in/erSmyFn9 #Decolonisation #Storytelling #Media #Journalism #HumanitarianAction

The aid sector is rapidly changing, with a diverse 'ecosystem' of actors with different values, motivations & approaches. So what makes humanitarian action legitimate in today’s world – and who gets to decide? Lydia Poole and Ben P. of Making Sense of Crisis invite you to share your views in this bold new digital consultation: https://lnkd.in/eR4w5DQE – and follow Lydia for key insights from the consultation! ⤵️

📣 Have your say on a bold new consultation into the future of humanitarian action! The humanitarian aid system faces a crisis of legitimacy just as funding is being cut, according to ODI Global and NEAR (Network for Empowered Aid Response)'s expert panel on the future of humanitarian action. The panel has argued that humanitarian action is no longer a single system but a diverse 'ecosystem' of actors with different values, motivations and approaches – and so in this context, who really gets to decide? Share your views in an innovative new digital consultation, and watch this space for an upcoming report based on the responses, which will aim to enable organisations to better assess how their values fit in the emerging humanitarian eco-system. 🔗 Take part now, and share widely with your networks to ensure a diversity of voices: https://lnkd.in/e-HsnJcS #HumanitarianAction #CrisisResponse #AidCuts | With thanks to Lydia Poole & Ben P. of Making Sense of Crisis for support on this consultation

This month marks five years since an era-defining military coup in #Myanmar. Since then, the country has experienced violent rule by the illegitimate junta – but a 'pluralistic state' is also emerging. This state is made up of many resistance actors (including diverse ethnic and Indigenous groups) who are creating localised and interconnected entities involved in governance, security, service delivery and other state functions. Despite brutal attempts at control by the junta, it's clear that this popular pluralistic revolution is growing and evolving. Yet the international humanitarian system struggles to work out how to collaborate with a nation state that is not centralised – with harmful consequences for civilians. In our recent case study, in conjunction with the recommendations listed below, researchers Stella Naw, Maw Naw and Dustin Barter examine the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, the new locally led paths forward being forged and the failure of the international humanitarian system to adapt. 🔗 Read now in this deep dive into Myanmar’s transformation: https://lnkd.in/e9FTiPYc #HumanitarianAction #Localisation #CivilSociety #HDPnexus #WarCrimes

💥 ICYMI: We recently outlined the Humanitarian Policy Group's top research priorities for 2026, catch up now → https://lnkd.in/ejpHhYD2 As we approach the end of January, global challenges are already feeling heavy. That's why this year, HPG's focus will be on research that makes a practical difference – offering usable insights to inform policy decisions and support tangible action. Building on recent work, we’ll look ahead, with a priority on understanding how local actors are driving change in the humanitarian system. Our 2026 research includes state-led crisis responses in East Africa, community-led protection for LGBTQIA+ groups, the impacts of climate, debt and care work on displacement, and the drivers of migration. 🔗 Find out more: https://lnkd.in/ejpHhYD2 #HumanitarianResearch #PolicyChange #Localisation

Closing tomorrow! Please share with anyone with the right profile who might not have seen 🙏 #Haiti #SOGIESC #humanitarian

RAAGSAN has collaborated with ODI's HPG on a case study examining the lives and livelihoods of urban IDPs in Baidoa, as part of a three-year research programme (2024–2027). Moving beyond emergency assistance, the study explores long-term and sustainable livelihood pathways for IDPs striving to rebuild their lives in urban settings. At a time of significant funding cuts, the research highlights the growing challenges faced by displaced communities and those reliant on humanitarian aid. Drawing on extensive literature review and primary data collection, the study maps the often-overlooked priorities and strategies of IDPs, the barriers and opportunities to securing livelihoods, and the role of governments and aid actors in supporting durable solutions. It also looks into contributing to shape a more effective humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach to displacement and livelihoods. 🔗 To learn more about the research and its key findings, read the full report here: (https://lnkd.in/evvKmQ8J) ODI Global Humanitarian Policy Group Caitlin Sturridge RAAGSAN Badra Yusuf Federico Redin Fatima Issack Lawrence Munga Salah Ilyas #UrbanDisplacement #IDPs #Livelihoods #DurableSolutions #Somalia #Baidoa #EvidenceBasedPolicy #InclusiveDevelopment

Historically, humanitarians have often sought to remain politically neutral – but the events of the last few years have brought home the inadequacy of this as a strategy. As part of a wider recent discussion about global solidarity within an increasingly challenging aid context, we asked Shahin Ashraf MBE, Head of Global Advocacy at Islamic Relief Worldwide, what neutrality means for her and her organisation. 📺 You can watch the conversation back in full now → https://lnkd.in/erSmyFn9 #HumanitarianAction #Neutrality #Solidarity