The number of people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance has increased sharply. Funding through the UN coordinated appeals covers less and less of expressed needs – despite more money and sustained efforts by humanitarian organizations. What is the state of the humanitarian system? And what do we know about the consequences of this funding gap?
This seminar will launch two reports. In the 2018 State of the Humanitarian System Report, the Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action, ALNAP, describes and analyses the humanitarian system and its overall performance.
In a new EBA report, Sophia Swithern, Development Initiatives, UK, investigates the trend of underfunding in connection to the UN coordinated appeals for humanitarian assistance. What are the consequences for people in need? What are the effects on humanitarian organizations and the UN appeal system at large?
Program
13.00 Introduction
Johan Schaar, vice chair, Expert Group for Aid Studies and chair, ALNAP
State of the Humanitarian System
John Mitchell, Director, ALNAP
Underfunded Appeals – Understanding the Consequences, Improving the System
Sophia Swithern, Chief, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Branch, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Panel discussion
Marcy Vigoda, Head, Partnership and Resource Mobilization, UNOCHA
Niklas Wiberg, Deputy Director, Head of humanitarian group, Swedish MFA
Oliver Schulz, Director General, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Sweden
Alice Olbrecht, Senior Research Fellow, ALNAP
Anna Guittet, Senior Policy Specialist, Sida
Moderator: Johan Schaar
15.00 Seminar ends