Humanitarian Update: HHI’s Global Humanitarian Priorities
The case for greater academic engagement in the humanitarian sphere has never been more important. Humanitarian needs have reached unprecedented levels –
103 million people displaced, more than any time in history.
69 million people are on the brink of famine.
300 million people require humanitarian aid in 72 countries, a 63% increase in two years. Total aid budget over $46 billion.
In addition to the rapid expansion of need, the humanitarian community faces existential threats. Failed diplomacy and global political re-alignment have created an untenable access environment for civilian humanitarian organizations. Global humanitarian financing capacity has not kept pace with the escalating need and is insufficient to meet global needs.
As a result, humanitarian agencies are called upon to do more, with less, in more complex settings. The capabilities of aid agencies are stretched to the breaking point. As the community of aid professionals continues to grow and diversify, they face an increasingly challenging environment in which to advance humanitarian standards, norms and accountability.
A consistent theme across aid agencies and providers is the critical restriction of access, threats to aid neutrality, rapid turnover of leadership and the organizational capacity to advance effective aid programming. The training of global humanitarian leaders and the translation of evidence to the field remains a major priority to the sector.
In such a complex, dynamic climate, the need for evidence-based strategies, shared learning, and leadership development has never been greater. As HHI approaches its 20th year, we will redouble our efforts to engage with our partner NGO and UN agencies to promote the advancement of research and evidence-informed policy, the recognition of humanitarian norms and the investment into educating future leaders. This mission has never been more critical.
Michael VanRooyen, MD, MPH
Director, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative