Sara Pantuliano’s Post

For six months the shocking war in Gaza has dominated the news, but around the world there are ongoing conflicts which fell off peoples’ radar. “With conflict-related deaths at a 26-year record high and more than 110 million people forcibly displaced worldwide at the end of June, 2023, the #humanitariansystem is overwhelmed, despite increases in humanitarian support from public and private donors”. The Johns Hopkins Center for Humanitarian Health (CHH)– #Lancet Commission on #Health, #Conflict, and #ForcedDisplacement is a new initiative dedicated to confronting and reshaping the humanitarian system, with a focus on health.   This Commission will “challenge the architecture of the humanitarian system, which is no longer fit for purpose” and “provide far-reaching recommendations that will help reshape the humanitarian system to become more effective, including interventions that leverage new technologies and value local actors' roles and power and facilitate greater inter-agency cooperation.”   Read the full announcement of this much needed commission in the Comment below.

I thoroughly enjoyed the interview with the new CEO of The New Humanitarian, Tammam Aloudat, who has a long history as a humanitarian. I particularly appreciated his emphasis on how our perspectives on humanitarian aid evolve when we come from a place that has experienced humanitarian crises. It highlights just how crucial lived experience is—especially for leadership in this field. Another highlight...."[Humanitarian sector] change should aim at improving the lives of people who are affected by injustice and crises rather than preserving the humanitarian system. Most of the efforts at reform aim at keeping the integrity of the humanitarian sector rather than improving its outcomes. Hence we see the feverish protection and defense of issues that have no value in themselves like being neutral….This argument about the humanitarian system being an apolitical system, outside of politics, that is a luxury that can’t be afforded at this time. Politics is integral. Even the choice of being apolitical is a political choice." #humanitariansector #humanitariaaid #humanitarianreform #decolonizingaid https://lnkd.in/ecxr_VaX

As an unrelenting genocide escalates in Gaza and famine stalks multiple countries across the world, it feels almost incongruent to be talking about wellbeing for displaced populations. Sadly, such realities reinforce key findings from research Humanitarian Policy Group conducted over the past two years: the centrality of rights for wellbeing, the importance of state engagement, and the need for humanitarian actors to address drivers of protracted displacement. 💡 Fortunate to be able to work with talented colleagues Leen, Alexandra and Almas on some reflections about displacement, wellbeing and Humanitarian Policy Group's new research agenda around state-led crisis response. https://lnkd.in/d4cA_S5T

Whether it's working in a conflict zone, cleaning debris, or providing assistance to secure food, water, sanitation, and protection for survivors – there is an unshakable commitment of humanitarian workers at CARE and beyond. 2023 was the deadliest year on record for aid workers. Nearly 300 humanitarians lost their lives and most of them were in Gaza. CARE is urging all conflict parties to stop attacks on humanitarians and demanding those who break International Humanitarian Law to be held accountable. Meet six women leaders who are bringing desperately needed relief to people facing crises: https://bit.ly/3X5dC0x #WorldHumanitarianDay

As an unrelenting genocide escalates in Gaza and famine stalks multiple countries across the world, it feels almost incongruent to be talking about wellbeing for displaced populations. Sadly, such realities reinforce key findings from our research over the past two years: the centrality of rights for wellbeing, the importance of state engagement, and the need for humanitarian actors to address drivers of protracted displacement. 💡 Our latest insight piece from Leen Fouad, Alexandra Spencer, Dustin Barter & Almas Omar Korotana provides reflections on HPG's research into wellbeing in humanitarian action at an alarming and critical moment globally – read now → https://lnkd.in/ey_D7KK2 #Wellbeing #Displacement #HumanitarianAction

This article sheds light on the dire humanitarian crisis faced by displaced communities, emphasizing severe food shortages and widespread sexual violence. The situation worsens daily as individuals lack basic necessities, with reports highlighting targeted ethnic killings and the systematic destruction of crucial infrastructure. Perpetrators of violence operate freely, evading accountability. The international community's response remains inadequate, posing significant challenges to humanitarian efforts due to restricted access and severe funding shortages. The urgency to address these critical issues is paramount to alleviate the suffering of those affected. #HumanitarianCrisis #DisplacedCommunities #InternationalAid

POLICY BRIEF RELEASE: Protracted forced displacement is prevalent across the world, with a humanitarian system geared towards immediate needs. Displaced people's rights are neglected. How can humanitarians overcome our tunnel vision? As states across the West channel billions into fuelling genocide, what do aid cuts mean for the millions stuck in displacement? Fortunate to have worked with Humanitarian Policy Group's wonderful Alexandra on this policy brief that foregrounds the importance of rights for wellbeing. A quick, easy read. Invaluable for advocacy with humanitarian donors and implementors. Systems change must address rights, decision-making, flexible/multi-year funding and the decolonisation of aid (localisation at minimum!). https://lnkd.in/gu3KNuUb #Wellbeing #Displacement #HumanitarianAction #PolicyResearch

An accurate diagnosis. "International humanitarian law is routinely being broken with impunity in conflicts globally. Populism tinged with anti-refugee discourse has led to a weakening of asylum and refugee law in many countries. 1 While special protection of hospitals and ambulances was previously largely respected by warring parties under the Geneva Conventions, attacks on health care have become the norm. 2 With conflict-related deaths at a 26-year record high 3 and more than 110 million people forcibly displaced worldwide at the end of June, 2023, 4 the humanitarian system is overwhelmed, despite increases in humanitarian support from public and private donors. 5 As one of us (PBS) wrote in The Lancet in 2017: “An unprecedented number of humanitarian emergencies of large magnitude and duration is causing the largest number of people in a generation to be forcibly displaced. Yet the existing humanitarian system was created for a different time and is no longer fit for purpose.” 6 Since then, the situation has become worse. The creeping normalisation of violations of international humanitarian law and refugee law and insufficient accountability of humanitarian organisations to affected persons must be rejected. The humanitarian system needs to be reimagined with the priorities of the affected communities at its centre."