Week of 30/09/2024: Dire Situations in Lebanon and Syria, Cash Coordination thoughts from Sudan, UNICEFs HOPE is Open Sourced & AI Governance Insights

Welcome to this week's edition of Tom's Aid & Development Dispatches. The humanitarian landscape is witnessing significant shifts as conflicts intensify and new challenges emerge. In Lebanon, escalating hostilities have prompted a rapid scale-up of humanitarian efforts, with the United Nations and partners mobilizing resources to support displaced populations. Simultaneously, the UNHCR is leading a critical response for refugees fleeing to Syria, highlighting the complex dynamics of regional displacement.

Beyond immediate crisis response, there's a growing emphasis on innovation and collaboration in aid delivery. From the need for cross-country coordination in cash assistance for Sudanese refugees to UNICEF's launch of HOPE—a digital public good revolutionizing cash transfers—the sector is embracing new tools to enhance effectiveness. Ukraine's innovative use of AI avatars to communicate social care programs exemplifies how technology can bridge gaps in challenging contexts.

Finally, we delve into thought-provoking insights from Stefaan Verhulst on AI governance, questioning traditional models and advocating for a more collaborative, polycentric approach. These developments underscore a pivotal moment in humanitarian aid, where scaling up efforts and embracing innovation are not just reactions to crises but proactive steps towards a more effective and inclusive future.

Humanitarian Response Begins to Scale Up in Lebanon

As the conflict in Lebanon intensifies, humanitarian efforts are rapidly expanding to meet the escalating needs of affected populations. The United Nations and its partners have swiftly mobilized additional resources and personnel to provide essential services. The World Food Programme (WFP) has launched an emergency food operation targeting up to one million individuals, distributing ready-to-eat rations, hot meals, and food parcels to families in shelters across the country. Emergency operations rooms have been activated at both governorate and municipal levels, enhancing coordination between local authorities and humanitarian organizations. New shelters have been established in the North and Mount Lebanon, while ongoing distributions of blankets, hygiene kits, and other vital supplies ensure that displaced families receive necessary support.

Financial support is also scaling up, with a combined $20 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) being deployed to expand aid efforts. Additionally, a Flash Appeal is in the final stages of preparation to further bolster the response, ensuring that humanitarian assistance can continue to grow alongside the needs on the ground.

UNHCR Takes the Lead on Refugee Response to Syria

In response to the recent escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has intensified its efforts to coordinate the response and provide support approximately 100,000 displaced individuals—comprising 60% Syrians and 40% Lebanese—who have fled to Syria since late September 2024.

Key Developments:

• Mass Inflow: The surge began on 27 September with intense airstrikes in Beirut, leading to a significant displacement wave towards Syria, primarily through the Jdeidet Yabous border crossing.
• Government Support: Syria temporarily waived the usual USD 100 entry fee, easing access for refugees.
• Humanitarian Actions: UNHCR, alongside partners, has erected temporary shelters (Rub-halls), distributed essential supplies, and provided transportation for 2,500 vulnerable individuals.
• Community Support: Local Syrian communities and relatives are offering shelter, while collective shelters are being established for those in need.
• Funding Efforts: A $20 million allocation from CERF and LHF is being deployed, with a Flash Appeal underway to secure additional resources.

Thoughts on Cash Coordination from Sudan

The conflict in Sudan has displaced over 10 million people across neighbouring countries, including the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda. In the face of Sudan’s escalating humanitarian crisis, cross-country coordination in cash and voucher assistance (CVA) emerges as a crucial strategy as argued in a recent CALP Network blog by Sapenzie Ojiambo and Amadou Diop,

Key Insights from the CALP Blog:

• Regional Collaboration Enhances Effectiveness: Sharing market analyses and adopting route-based programming can improve CVA delivery for displaced populations.
• Real-Time Learning and Best Practices: Exchanging successful strategies, such as Group Cash Transfers, can optimize aid across multiple countries.
• Challenges: Existing Cash Working Groups (CWGs) lack the capacity for effective regional coordination, and CWG leads are often overstretched.

Recommendations:

• Strengthen Regional Coordination Structures: Develop frameworks for regular communication and collaboration among CWGs.
• Comprehensive Strategy Development: Create unified strategies to support migrants and refugees throughout their journeys.

Adopting a regional perspective can significantly enhance humanitarian responses, ensuring more effective and people-centered aid delivery.

Read the full analysis on the CALP Network blog.

UNICEF Launches HOPE: An Open-Source Digital Public Good for Humanitarian Cash Transfers

UNICEF has unveiled the Humanitarian Cash Operations and Programme Ecosystem (HOPE), an open-source platform designed to improve the delivery and management of humanitarian cash transfers. Led by Gabriele Erba, UNICEF’s Digital Solution Team Leader, HOPE serves as a digital public good, facilitating the secure collection and processing of beneficiary data to ensure efficient aid distribution.

Since its introduction in 2021, HOPE has facilitated over $520 million in cash transfers to more than 2.9 million families across 21 countries. The platform integrates innovative technologies, including voice recognition in Somaliland and customized support for Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia, to address diverse humanitarian needs effectively.

As an open-source solution, HOPE promotes collaboration among humanitarian organizations, allowing them to adapt and enhance the system to better serve affected populations. This initiative highlights UNICEF’s commitment to leveraging digital tools to enhance transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in humanitarian aid.

Find out more at : Home page | UNICEF HOPE | Humanitarian Cash Transfers

Ukraine Leverages AI Avatars to Enhance Social Care Communication

In an innovative move, Ukraine’s government is utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to improve communication about social care programs. Partnering with London-based AI video company Synthesia, the Ukrainian Ministry of Social Policy has launched AI-generated videos and avatars to inform citizens about essential services, including healthcare, pensions, and social assistance for vulnerable groups.

Key Highlights:

• AI-Powered Outreach: AI avatars deliver clear and engaging information, making it easier for citizens in conflict-affected and temporarily occupied areas to access crucial support without needing to visit local offices.
• Enhanced Accessibility: The AI videos have proven effective in training over 20,000 social workers, who find video-based information more accessible and easier to understand compared to traditional text-based materials.
• Resource Efficiency: By automating information dissemination, Ukraine optimizes its limited resources, ensuring timely and consistent communication despite ongoing challenges from the conflict with Russia.

Impact: Since February 2022, Ukraine has seen significant advancements in digital governance through initiatives like the Diia app, which provides a digital ID and various government services. The integration of AI avatars into social care communication further exemplifies Ukraine’s commitment to leveraging technology for humanitarian aid and public service enhancement.

Is a CERN for AI the Right Model? Insights from Stefaan Verhulst

In a thought-provoking LinkedIn post, Stefaan Verhulst, PhD, Co-Founder of Research & Development at Social Change and Public Policy, explores the feasibility of establishing a “CERN for AI” in Europe. This concept, initially proposed by the European Group of Chief Scientific Advisors and supported by the European Commission’s Draghi Report, aims to create a centralized European research organization for artificial intelligence, inspired by the renowned CERN.

Key Highlights:

• CERN Model Limitations: While CERN has been a global success in advancing nuclear research since 1954, Stefaan argues that the multi-dimensional nature of AI development today makes a singular institutional model less effective. The complexity and interconnectedness of AI require more flexible and distributed approaches.
• Polycentric Governance: Drawing inspiration from Nobel Laureate Elinor Ostrom’s theory, Stefaan advocates for a polycentric governance model. This approach involves multiple autonomous yet overlapping centers collaborating to manage shared resources and drive scientific progress.
• Distributed Collaboration: A polycentric model encourages distributed collaboration, allowing diverse actors across various geographies and sectors to contribute to AI innovation. This ensures sustainable and responsible advancements, leveraging the best minds, data, and resources globally.
• Sustainable and Responsible AI: By moving beyond a single European AI institution, the polycentric governance model promotes sustainability and responsibility in AI development, accommodating the dynamic and evolving nature of digital governance.

Final Thoughts: Stefaan Verhulst challenges the traditional centralized approach, suggesting that Europe’s AI ambitions might benefit more from a collaborative and distributed governance structure. This model not only aligns with the interconnected realities of today’s digital landscape but also fosters inclusive and comprehensive AI advancements.