Global crises, local action: a humanitarian reset in response to Covid-19?
Speakers
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Minnie Anne-Mata Calub
Program Secretary, National Council of Churches, Philippines
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Larissa Fast
@AidinDangerSenior Lecturer of Humanitarian Studies and Director of Research at the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute (HCRI), University of Manchester, UK
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Gloria Soma
Executive Director, Titi Foundation
Description
Decades-long commitments to supporting more ‘local’ responses to crises have not resulted in significant shifts in the traditional humanitarian system. Funding, decision-making and capacity continue to be concentrated in large international aid actors. Experts are now highlighting the critical role that local responders will play in relation to Covid-19 given their ability to act fast, engage communities and maintain delivery in the context of national and international travel restrictions. Will this lead to a reset of the humanitarian system? Or, beyond the rhetoric, will it be business as usual?
This event launches the Humanitarian Policy Group's (HPG) new report, From the ground up: it's about time for local humanitarian action, which brings together two years of research on examining humanitarian action, power imbalances and local capacity. Using report recommendations, we discuss whether Covid-19 is unlocking some of the barriers to more locally-led humanitarian responses in practice.
This event is part of the ODI at 60 global reset dialogue series, challenging decision-makers to provide more sustainable and equitable pathways for the future.