The Humanitarian Xchange 2024 (HX24) on 20 February marked a milestone moment, bringing together 600 attendees at the Business Design Centre in London, with thousands more joining online, creating a truly global platform for the humanitarian sector.

Over 100 speakers led 39 engaging sessions on a diverse range of humanitarian topics to consider how collectively we can address and tackle pressing global challenges.

One of the aims of HX24 is to inspire one million new humanitarians, requiring engagement with early career researchers and professionals – a mission that resonated with a group of postgraduate students from the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute (HCRI) at The University of Manchester.

Among them were Naufal Ridwan from Indonesia; Chihiro Shimizu from Japan; Alejandra Camacho Vega from Mexico; Marielle Dick from Trinidad and Tobago; and Holly Fieldsend, Bridie McGough and Eve Henley from the UK.

In a post-event reflection, Ka Man Parkinson, HLA Communications and Marketing Advisor, caught up with this group at HCRI to hear about their HX24 experience and takeaways.

What were you looking forward to most about HX24?

Alejandra: The opportunity to attend a global networking event with humanitarian practitioners from diverse fields to discuss current issues related to humanitarianism. 

Bridie: I was looking forward to mixing with humanitarian professionals so I could gain a better understanding of how the humanitarian sphere works in practice and to hear the realities of humanitarian work. I was also looking forward to being involved in some interesting and thought-provoking conversations with experienced practitioners.

Holly: Hearing from such a wide array of speakers, from experts in the field to academics and staple names whose theories we have engaged with at university, such as Hugo Slim. 

Marielle: Immersing myself in a setting filled with seasoned professionals within the humanitarian field, eager to learn about what it takes to enter the sector. I also anticipated gaining fresh perspectives on ongoing advancements within the field and understanding the strategies and initiatives envisioned by executives of these humanitarian organisations to enhance support for marginalised communities.

Chihiro: Meeting and talking with professionals to expand the network in the humanitarian sector and open the future for humanitarian work with them. I decided to join the event since I would like to find a space to talk about the future of humanitarian work and create synergy among people engaging in the humanitarian sector.

What were you hoping to gain from the event?

Chihiro: As a master’s student, I was hoping to gain new insights about the current humanitarian system and hear opinions from professionals, both of which are difficult to gain from academic study at the university.

Holly: To gain a new insight into humanitarianism, with new knowledge presented from experts and insightful discussions sparked.

Marielle: By attending in person, I was hoping to broaden my professional network and gain insights from professionals in the field regarding the potential issues stemming from over-professionalisation within the sector, as well as exploring avenues for enhancing its long-term sustainability.

Ridwan: To expand my network within the humanitarian sector and meet numerous scholars. One highlight for me was participating in a session with Hugo Slim, where we discussed the importance of the environmental sector in humanitarian work and why it should be a priority.

Alejandra: To gain new insights into innovation in humanitarian responses. Currently, I am developing my master’s dissertation on innovation in the local integration response for refugees and asylum seekers in Mexico. Therefore, having the opportunity to listen to experts on innovation from different regions was an impactful experience for me. Also, I was hoping to acquire practical strategies and tools to enhance my work in the field.

Bridie: To gain a deeper understanding of the practicalities and realities of humanitarian work, which I believe I did due to the wide range of practitioners and varied organisation workers that had the platform to talk. I was also hoping to have the chance to network and talk with other humanitarian professionals.

What were your top three highlights from HX24?

Holly: My top highlight was hearing from so many different perspectives. I was very happy that there so many diverse voices and not just that of the Global North.

Chihiro: Having a chat with humanitarian people throughout the HX24; listening to the talks of professionals from various fields; and discussing some topics with my colleagues who also joined HX24.

Marielle: Reflecting on the conference, my top three highlights were the discussions surrounding three of the panel sessions I attended (Roundtable Discussion, Humanitarianism in Light of the Gaza Crisis and the Global Implications and Rebuilding Society: Humanitarians Finding Their Place).

I greatly appreciated that panellists offered genuine insights, fearlessly acknowledging the shortcomings within the humanitarian sector, and advocating for a return to its fundamental principles – to help those most in need.

Ridwan: I attended two impactful sessions on polycrises and the environment, both of which shed light on issues faced by workers in the field. If I had to pick my top three highlights:

The realisation that polycrises are a stark reality, and they are interconnected. We can’t prioritise one over the other; we need to address all crises simultaneously.

The recognition that while humanitarian efforts cover various aspects of life like protection and development, prioritising the environment is crucial.

Understanding the political nature of humanitarian work and the necessity of siding with humanity, as emphasised in the closing remarks.

Eve: Firstly, the insightful talk on Gaza, especially the perspectives shared by Jason Hart, a Professor of Humanitarianism and Development at the University of Bath.

Secondly, the roundtable discussion on six major issues in humanitarianism was incredibly enlightening. I was involved in a discussion concerning: ‘Bringing the human back into humanitarian,’ where I gained valuable insights from the personal experiences of professionals in the field. Despite being surrounded by very experienced, bright individuals, I felt included and appreciated for sharing my ideas even though my experiences in the humanitarian sector are less substantial.

Lastly, the event provided an excellent networking opportunity. Engaging in candid conversations with professionals in such a context felt like a privilege and I have made valuable connections that I hope to maintain throughout my career. 

Alejandra: Looking for new ways on financing humanitarian responses through local partnerships; transparency and trust in crisis communications; collaboration as a way to shift from current power dynamics in the humanitarian sector.

Bridie: The round table discussions – I found this the most beneficial activity throughout the day.

The talk on Gaza – it is so important to hear about humanitarian professionals discussing about current crises.

The final discussion led by the Trumanitarian podcast – hearing a range of reflections about the discussions had at the conference, from a variety of humanitarians from different backgrounds was extremely valuable to me as a hopeful humanitarian worker.

What was your key takeaway from HX24?

Something needs to change! The main theme that came out of HX24 for me was the general consensus amongst most humanitarian practitioners that something needs to change within the humanitarian sphere.

Bridie: A huge rise in both internal armed conflicts and natural disasters is creating a higher demand on humanitarian organisations, so we, as a community, need to adapt and re-organise the traditional functioning of the humanitarian sphere. I believe and many other humanitarians agree that localisation of aid is the way forward.

Holly: My key takeaway is that localisation is a lot more complicated than I imagined it to be!

Chihiro: I learned a lot from humanitarian professionals about current humanitarian situations around the world as well as their provisions for humanitarian work and the ecosystem around it.

This experience at HX24 inspires me for further study in humanitarianism at the university and my future career as a humanitarian worker.

Marielle: My key takeaway comes from a quote from Rachel O’Brien, Director at the Humanitarian Leadership Academy, “Be purposeful, progressive and hungry for the change you want to see.”

My key takeaway is that we must consistently remind ourselves and those around us to prioritise the needs of affected communities, even when dealing with the frustrating bureaucracy of the humanitarian sector. 

Do you have any follow-up actions or ideas after attending HX24?

Bridie: HX24 highlighted the sector-wide need to localise aid and adapt to cross-sector functioning. This is something I believe would be extremely beneficial to the humanitarian sector as a whole, but it was rewarding to hear that this seems to be the general consensus. This has encouraged me to complete my final master’s research project about the realities of localising aid.

I’ve established connections with several INGOs through this event and acquired their contacts. As a postgrad student, I’ve reached out to some of them regarding potential internships after completing my master’s. It has been genuinely helpful.

Marielle: After attending HX24, I plan to engage with Humanitarian Leadership Academy’s global learning platform, Kaya. After learning about this platform, I’m eager to benefit from the online courses on offer to build my portfolio and expand my knowledge horizon.

Chihiro: I would like to keep myself up-to-date on discussions surrounding a humanitarian system and also exchange opinions actively with my master’s colleagues and professors.

Eve: HX24 has filled me with hope, rooted in the voices of the individuals who spoke, that the future of the humanitarian sector will be guided by a greater and sustained emphasis on collaboration, localisation and compassion.

Could you sum up your HX24 experience in one sentence?

Chihiro: I found HX24 a space to open the future for humanitarian work and foster synergy among humanitarian people.

Marielle: An immersive experience that left me pondering on the future of the humanitarian sector and the individuals it serves.

Bridie: An inspiring and thought-provoking environment that restored my faith in the humanitarian sector.

HX24 was an enlightening experience with meaningful discussions and valuable connections that gave me insights on ethics, collaboration and innovation in the humanitarian sector.

With thanks to Alejandra, Bridie, Chihiro, Eve, Holly, Marielle and Ridwan! We wish you all the best with your next steps on your humanitarian learning and career journeys.

There are a limited number of On Demand spots available to provide access to the HX24 sessions. Visit the HX event website for details and to express your interest.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day this year, it’s important to remember that it is not just a single day that we recognise and celebrate women in the humanitarian sector, but an opportune moment to pause, reflect and take time to think about the pivotal role women play in addressing global challenges, whether at a micro or macro level.

From providing aid in crisis zones to advocating for marginalised communities, women play a critical role. Yet we know women continue to face barriers to gain more formal leadership positions within the sector, particularly in contexts where girls education and women’s equality are still not a given.

However, what continues to inspire me is just how many women have the courage to keep trying, to not give up, to fight for what is right, to bring diverse voices and opinions into debates and to continue to use different tools and ways to influence and bring about positive change in a world which can at times feel so bleak.

We need more women to feel bold, to feel brave, to know that their voice does matter and that women offer unique and different perspectives to bring people together. We need to be reminded that we have more in common than that which divides us.

This International Women’s Day I celebrate specifically female colleagues in Afghanistan, Yemen, oPt, Sudan and Ukraine, who continue to work tirelessly in crisis contexts to challenge the status quo, to stand up against what is right and to provide support and partnership for others in humanitarian crisis contexts.

The Humanitarian Leadership Academy is working to support many women across the globe and in complex crisis contexts by providing crisis coaching, as well as training more women in leadership coaching skills, to influence those they lead, inspire and relate to. These coaching skills are supporting women to navigate complexities of leadership in different ways, to bring in a more humane way of relating to one another and those around them.

We have noticed through coaching that women leaders in the humanitarian sector have identified their strengths, addressed challenges, and built confidence in their abilities. They have received tailored support to overcome obstacles and achieve their professional aspirations. This is helping women humanitarian leaders to overcome barriers and unlock their full potential to create new and better ways for leadership in the humanitarian sector.

Coaching has been life changing, enabling me to overcome judgement and fear.

By embracing coaching and mentoring programmes, humanitarian organisations can foster a culture of inclusivity and empowerment.

These initiatives demonstrate a commitment to nurturing diverse leadership talent and creating opportunities for women to thrive in senior positions.

As we reflect on International Women’s Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting women’s leadership in the humanitarian sector.

Through coaching and mentoring,  women can be empowered  to lead with courage, compassion, and resilience, driving positive change and advancing the collective goal of creating a more just and equitable world.

The quality of everything we do, depends on the quality of the thinking we do first. The quality of our thinking depends on the way we treat each other while we are thinking.

Find out more

Read more about coaching and mentoring at the HLA.

Join the Women in Leadership Network

In the lead up to Humanitarian Xchange 2024 – the inaugural hybrid conference organised by Save the Children UK and the Humanitarian Leadership Academy, we have been speaking with panelists and speakers to learn more about them and what to expect from their HX platform.

We spoke with James Denselow, Head of Conflict and Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy at Save the Children UK.

James’ vast exposure working in the Middle East and as a writer covering geopolitical and security issues, will be experienced in his HX session discussing developing the ‘world’s first’ Paediatric Blast Injury Field Manual.

Humanitarian Xchange 2024 will hold on February 20, 2024 online and at the Business Design Center in Islington, London. Register for free to attend.

Hear from James:

In your journey, what is one personal experience that drastically changed your humanitarian outlook and possibly the trajectory of your work?

I remember visiting the Gaza Strip in 2015 with a team of British medics when I worked at Medical Aid for Palestinians. There was a young boy, I think he was 15, he’d lost his right leg in the escalation of the conflict in 2014 and had issues with a badly injured left leg. I remember the medical team working with their Palestinian peers but finding that amputation was the only way to save his life. The news was broken to the boy through a translator, and I’ll never forget seeing him digest the news with such sorrow and dignity. It was a powerful reminder that these injuries will be with children for the rest of their lives and that those should be a lot longer than adults who experience the same misfortune.

When I started working at Save the Children I was lucky to be part of the work between ourselves, Imperial College London and a host of other medics, researchers and NGOs that brought about the “Paediatric Blast Injury Partnership”. The basic tenant of the partnership’s work is that children are not “little adults” and have unique physiology that needs to be better accounted for by armed forces and groups in modern conflict as well as those responding as medics and humanitarians.

I remember having a meeting a year on from the partnership being set up at the “Royal United Services institute” (RUSI) where the new knowledge and approach to understanding paediatric blast injury landed with those tasked with the difficult job of running targeting and collateral damage assessments. After all you can only really understand the impact of your weaponry on children by better understanding children themselves; how especially young children have less blood, thinner skin, weigh less just to mention a few factors that will shape how they are injured by the weapons of modern war.

What should the audience look forward to during your session at HX?

The initial partnership work on paediatric blast led to the publication of the world’s first paediatric blast injury field manual, requested by medics from Syria Relief and authored by specialists across the continuum of care with Dr. Paul Reavley, former UK military doctor as lead author. This manual is now in over 13 countries and available in English, French, Arabic, Russian, Ukrainian, Dari and Pashto with Spanish and Chinese translations on the way.

Meanwhile with the launch of the Centre for Paediatric Blast Injury Studies at Imperial College London, which Save the Children are proud to support – we’re seeing pioneering research into prosthetics for children that is more needed than ever if you consider the numbers of serious injuries children suffer in conflicts across the globe.

Yet this is just the start, and we need to do so much more – hopefully this session can bring people into the partnership and closer to the work of the centre to do just that!

More on James’ hybrid session:

Title: Understanding Paediatric Complex Trauma, the Science, Medicine & Long-Term Outcomes.

Time: 11:00-11:55GMT

Format: Panel Discussion & Debate

Where: Humanitarian Hub & Online

The team from Imperial College London’s Paediatric Blast Injury Study Centre will discuss survival of complex blast and crush trauma, and the life beyond survival for the world’s children at risk from these terrible injuries.  Treating children with complex trauma is one of the most significant and urgent challenges of our time.  Securing the best possible outcomes for them into adult life will require not only medical and rehabilitational commitment, but a scientific understanding of the disruption of the biodynamically complex mechanisms of growth. 

See the full agenda

About James

James is the Head of Conflict and Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy at Save the Children. His key areas of responsibility include the “Children and Armed Conflict” (CAAC) agenda, “Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas” (EWIPA) with specific reference to paediatric blast injury and Protection of Civilians (POC) policies. James has spent more than 20 years working on humanitarian and conflict issues with a focus on the Middle East, including time living in Syria and Lebanon. He is a contributing author to An Iraq of Its Regions: Cornerstones of a federal democracy and America and Iraq: Policy-making, intervention and regional politics since 1958. He is currently a Fellow at the Centre for Syrian Studies.

Humanitarian Xchange 2024 – The inaugural hybrid conference from Save the Children UK and the Humanitarian Leadership Academy will hold on February 20, 2024 online and at the Business Design Center in Islington, London.

HX will host valuable conversations and insights with humanitarians making real change in their areas of specialty. One of such conversations is with Cathy Riley, Strategic Partnerships Director at Flowminder.

During her hybrid session at HX, Cathy will share real results from estimating population distribution and mobility using mobile phone usage data in Haiti, DRC, & Ghana during a session focused on the use of spatial data to support humanitarian activities. 

As we countdown to February 20, we had a chat with Cathy to learn more about her personal journey and what to look forward to in her session:

In your journey, what is one personal experience that drastically changed your humanitarian outlook and possibly the trajectory of your work?

When I was young, I distinctly remember thinking that politics was something ‘over there’ and that politics and politicians didn’t affect me, my life, or my future.

Over time, I have come to realize just how wrong I was in that world view. Whether it has been watching the way some political actors steadfastly refuted UN assessment figures for those in need, or engaging in dialogue about ending child marriage, understanding power dynamics, and actively analysing how influential individuals use their power, has been a game-changer for me.

What drives me now is a crystal-clear understanding that if you want to see change in the world, you have to collaborate with those who hold power to empower those who don’t.

This is applicable to a wide range of scenarios or sectors, from, for example, conducting a gender audit to understand barriers to vaccination in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to partnering with the right people so that we create a world in which decision-makers have the data they need to inform their decision-making.

Understanding the eco-system one works in, building partnerships, and strengthening data use are various ways one can achieve impact and navigate these power dynamics, and these are some of the motivators and actions I’ve taken in my humanitarian journey.

Flowminder will discuss data mapping on a panel with Humanitarian OpenStreetMap (HOT), What3Words, and Esri UK. What should HX attendees look forward to?

I am excited to share with the audience the availability and potential of novel and innovative datasets, such as mobile phone and geospatial data, that can help humanitarian actors in their work.

Audiences will get to hear both what’s possible but also some of the challenges they’d face and considerations they’d need to make in opening up and using that data in their programmes.

I hope that what I share will be exciting and stimulating, generating interest in what we do and how we do it so that more people will be talking to Flowminder about ways to push the envelope when it comes to mobilising the use of phone data, as well as geospatial data, in the humanitarian space.

If you could change the world by doing just one thing, what would it be?

“I would rid the world of skepticism and arrogance, replacing these with kindness and humility.”

Put another way, I would instill each human with the instinct to be kind and humble in a way that couldn’t be switched off or tarnished, creating in people a deep and natural desire to see/hear the ‘other’, creating inevitable opportunity for dialogue and negotiation.

Will you join in the conversation? Join in person or online – registration is still open and the Humanitarian Xchange is free to attend.

More on Cathy’s hybrid session:

Title: Who? What? Where? How Data Mapping Can Shape the Humanitarian Response

Time: 11:00-12:00GMT

Format: Panel Discussion & Debate

Hybrid – Global Community Stage & Online

See the full agenda

About Cathy

Cathy is a sustainable development professional and organisational leader with over twenty years’ experience in a variety of contexts. Her most recent background is working in international development on programme delivery and policy design for development and humanitarian response initiatives.

As Strategic Partnerships Director at Flowminder, Cathy is responsible for resource mobilisation, building strategic alliances and oversight of key programme activities including Flowminder’s flagship Data for Good Partnership programme in Ghana and capacity strengthening work to support use of non-traditional data sources in low and middle-income countries.

Humanitarian Xchange 2024 – The inaugural hybrid conference from Save the Children UK and the Humanitarian Leadership Academy will hold on February 20, 2024 online and at the Business Design Center in Islington, London.

HX will host valuable conversations and insights with humanitarians making real change in their areas of specialty. One of such conversations is with Dr Emily Mayhew, Historian in Residence at Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College.

During her online session at HX, Emily will share a historian’s perspective – her expertise on putting together the Paediatric Blast Injury Field Manual which provides guidance to those with medical training to adapt their knowledge when treating severely injured children.  We had a chat with Emily to learn more about her personal journey and what to look forward to in her session:

In your journey, what is one personal experience that drastically changed your humanitarian outlook and possibly the trajectory of your work?

As part of a panel event at the Science Museum in London, very much like this one at HX24, I gave a talk on the impact of blast injuries on adults and how this form of casualty and its outcomes has not changed a great deal in the century between the First World War and today’s wars.  Also on the panel were humanitarians from Save the Children. 

They asked me if this would be the same for children who were injured by blast. I had never been asked that before so I guessed and replied “probably, but let me check.”  The next day I talked to all my colleagues who worked in paediatric trauma, and they sighed heavily and said “NO.”

They explained that paediatric trauma is much more complex in children than it is in adults.  Children have different physiologies because they are still growing.  One of the paediatricians said something I have never forgotten:  “children are not little adults, they are little human beings.”  They deserve their own special care, not just guesswork.

You are part of the team that put together the Paediatric Blast Injury Field Manual, which is available in up to seven languages. What should audience look forward to during your session at HX?

A historian’s perspective.  I am not a clinician or a biomedical scientist but I have studied how this work has been done over the last century and so I take a very long view!  I know what we don’t know, and what still needs doing if we are to offer hope to the injured children of today.  

If you could change the world by doing just one thing, what would it be?

I would like everyone to appreciate that rehabilitation and recovery are very long processes for everyone, adult or child.  Recovery that enables the best possible long term outcomes is not accomplished in days or even months. When we see a patient with complex trauma we should understand that life beyond survival is not the same thing as survival.  We should not lose interest and go in search of the next dramatic event.  We should stay focused and support recovery.

More on Emily’s hybrid session:

Title: Understanding Paediatric Complex Trauma, the Science, Medicine & Long-Term Outcomes.

Time: 11:00-11:55GMT

Format: Panel Discussion & Debate

Where: Humanitarian Hub & Online

The team from Imperial College London’s Paediatric Blast Injury Study Centre will discuss survival of complex blast and crush trauma, and the life beyond survival for the world’s children at risk from these terrible injuries.  Treating children with complex trauma is one of the most significant and urgent challenges of our time.  Securing the best possible outcomes for them into adult life will require not only medical and rehabilitational commitment, but a scientific understanding of the disruption of the biodynamically complex mechanisms of growth. 

See the full agenda

About Emily

Dr Mayhew is a military medical historian specialising in the study of severe casualty, its infliction, treatment and long-term outcomes in 20th and 21st century warfare. She is historian in residence in the Department of Bioengineering, working primarily with the researchers and staff of the Centre for Injury Studies.  She is also a Trustee of the Advance Study Charity Board.

Humanitarian Xchange 2024 – The inaugural hybrid conference from Save the Children UK and the Humanitarian Leadership Academy will hold on February 20, 2024 online and at the Business Design Center in Islington, London.

HX will host valuable conversations and insights with humanitarians making real change in their areas of specialty. One of such conversations is with Hannah Wild, General Surgery Resident at University of Washington, Department of Surgery.

During her online session at HX, Hannah will share real life experiences from The Mine Action Trauma Care Collaborative.  We had a chat with Hannah to learn more about her personal journey and what to look forward to in her session:

In your journey, what is one personal experience that drastically changed your humanitarian outlook and possibly the trajectory of your work?

Between college and medical school, I received a traveling fellowship to conduct ethnographic fieldwork with the Nyangatom, a group of nomadic pastoralists on the Ethiopia-South Sudan border.

At that time, I already knew I wanted to dedicate my life to humanitarian surgical care in conflict settings. As a college graduate without clinical skills, I felt the most useful undertaking I could pursue would be to gain an understanding of what life was really like for communities affected by conflict (in this case, violent cattle raiding) in areas rarely accessed by aid.

I lived with the Nyangatom and migrated with their cattle camps for over a year, building some of the most impactful relationships of my life. This experience gave me an indelible sense of how profoundly communities’ lived realities can differ from the narratives and perspectives available in more easily accessible places.

What informed setting up the Mine Action Trauma Care Collaborative?

Explosive weapons (EW) have a devastating impact on civilians in modern conflict, with a disproportionate impact on women and children.

Civilians comprised 97% of all barrel bomb deaths between 2011-2016 in Syria; approximately 66% of explosive deaths in Gaza before October 2023 were women and children – the list, heartbreakingly, goes on and on.

Humanitarian mine action (HMA) stakeholders address the threats posed by mines, explosive remnants of war, and improvised explosive devices through activities including clearance, explosive ordnance risk education, victim assistance, and stockpile destruction.

In 2021, the International Mine Action Standard (IMAS 13.10) on Victim Assistance was adopted, setting the stage for increased HMA engagement in strengthening trauma care for civilian EW casualties. In this context, I contacted Christelle Loupforest, Deputy Coordinator of the Mine Action Area of Responsibility. We agreed to establish a collaboration that leveraged the University of Washington’s expertise in trauma systems strengthening in low-resource settings with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS’) expertise in mine action to try and reduce preventable death and disability among EW casualties. This collaboration has grown into the Mine Action Trauma Care Collaborative.

Your online session at HX will share how the Mine Action Trauma Care Collaborative is addressing a collaboration gap – creating partnership pathways between the humanitarian mine action sector and emergency health responders in conflict settings. What should the audience look forward to learning?

The audience will come away with an understanding of how humanitarian mine action stakeholders like the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and Mines Advisory Group (MAG) can utilize their expertise to improve trauma care and reduce preventable death and disability among civilian victims of explosive violence.

If you could change the world by doing just one thing, what would it be?

I would change the emotional filter that allows some people to feel differently about the suffering of others than they do their own.

Will you join in the conversation? Join in person or online – registration is still open and the Humanitarian Xchange is free to attend.

More on Hannah’s hybrid session:

Title: The Mine Action Trauma Care Collaborative

Time: 15:30-16:25GMT

Format: Panel Discussion & Debate

See the full agenda

About Hannah

Hannah Wild, is a General Surgery Resident at the University of Washington focused on humanitarian response for civilian casualties in conflict settings. Her clinical interests are in trauma surgery and critical care. She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and M.D. from Stanford University School of Medicine with a Scholarly Concentration in International Humanitarian Health. Her current work focuses on improving humanitarian surgical care for civilian casualties in conflict settings, particularly for victims of explosive weapons. In collaboration with the United Nations Mine Action Service, International Blast Injury Research Network, and Pediatric Blast Injury Partnership, she leads the Mine Action Trauma Care Collaborative, an effort to strengthen coordination between the mine action sector and trauma care for victims of explosive violence. 

The humanitarian sector is witnessing a significant transformation in the approach to resource mobilisation, pivoting towards the empowerment of local capacities and initiatives. 

In this article, guest contributor Alaa Albakour delves into the key insights, barriers and strategies for local resource mobilisation, drawing on experiences from these regions. 

The emphasis on community empowerment, ownership, leadership, partnerships, technological innovation, and engagement underlines a new, more inclusive, and effective direction in humanitarian efforts. This shift is crucial in the context of regions like the Middle East and Africa, where local nuances and needs play a pivotal role in shaping effective humanitarian response. 

The shift towards localisation in resource mobilisation 

Traditionally, humanitarian efforts and resource mobilisation have been predominantly led by INGOs and donors.  
 
However, this approach is increasingly being supplemented by a focus on local resource mobilisation.  

This shift is driven by the recognition that local communities possess innate strengths, resources, and capabilities that, when harnessed effectively, can significantly contribute to more resilient and self-sufficient humanitarian responses. 

Leveraging local community resources 

Local communities are often a wellspring of untapped potential in resource mobilisation. For example, youth volunteers play a vital role in various aspects of humanitarian response, from raising funds and awareness to participating in early recovery activities.  
 
The involvement of local resources, such as human capital, knowledge, and networks, is crucial in initiating and sustaining humanitarian efforts. These youth volunteers play a pivotal role not only in immediate emergency responses but also in leading early recovery efforts and more comprehensive nexus programming.

The involvement of local resources, such as human capital, knowledge, and networks, is crucial in initiating and sustaining humanitarian efforts.

Barriers to effective local resource mobilisation 

Resource mobilisation faces several challenges: 

Lack of strategy 

A common issue among local and national organisations is the absence of a structured, organisation-wide strategy for resource mobilisation.  
 
This often results in inconsistent messaging, internal competition, and fragmented efforts. A comprehensive strategy is key to fostering a sense of ownership, ensuring accountability, and aligning resources with the most pressing needs, ultimately leading to effective program delivery and impact. 

Limited training 

The training provided to resource mobilisation specialists is often inadequate and lacks structure, hindering the development of effective mobilisation strategies. 

Limited coordination and networking 

Lack of effective collaboration and communication among various stakeholders, such as local governments, non-profits, civil society organisations (CSOs), community groups, and businesses. This limitation affects the ability to identify, pool, and efficiently utilise available resources within a community or region.  
 
Moreover, poor coordination causes duplication of efforts, missed opportunities for synergy, and inefficient use of resources.  

Without strong networks and collaborative strategies, local organisations struggle to mobilise resources effectively, limiting their potential impact on community development and sustainability. 

Limited capacity sharing  

Capacity sharing involves the exchange of knowledge, skills, resources, and best practices among organisations and communities.  

There is a lack of such exchanges, often due to barriers like competition, lack of trust, or simply the absence of mechanisms to facilitate this sharing.  
 
This limitation prevents organisations and communities from learning from each other’s experiences and leveraging each other’s strengths, which is especially important in resource-scarce environments.  

This leads to inefficiencies and a reinvention of the wheel, as each entity tries to solve problems independently rather than building on existing knowledge and resources. 

Insights and strategies for effective local resources mobilisation 

Empowerment through ownership in resource mobilisation 

A crucial insight from Middle East and Africa is the empowerment of local communities through the ownership of capacity-building initiatives. This empowerment ensures that resource mobilisation strategies are tailored to the unique contexts and needs of the communities.  

When local communities lead their developmental agendas, they generate solutions that are sustainable, culturally attuned, and widely accepted, leading to more resilient outcomes.

Local leadership: a cornerstone of community development 

The cultivation of local leadership is a cornerstone of effective community development. By nurturing local actors who understand their community’s dynamics, initiatives gain not only a sense of community ownership but also relevance and sustainability.  
 
Local actors play a critical role in mobilising resources, garnering support, and driving impactful outcomes, ensuring that interventions are not just effective but also resonate with the community’s aspirations and challenges. 

Collaboration: strengthening partnerships for broader impact 

The creation of partnerships between local entities and international organisations is vital for a balanced and effective resource mobilisation process. 

These collaborations bring together a rich tapestry of perspectives, resources, and expertise, fostering a more integrated approach to humanitarian challenges. These partnerships, rooted in mutual respect and a commitment to enhancing local efforts, ensure that international support aligns with and bolsters local initiatives. 

Investing in local resource mobilisation: a catalyst for sustainable development 

For local and national organisations, recognising that resource mobilisation necessitates initial investment is key. This investment should not be viewed merely as an expenditure but as a strategic catalyst that drives broader resource mobilisation efforts, laying the foundation for sustainable development and enhanced capacity building. 

Expanding the horizons of local resource mobilisation 

Further enhancing local resource mobilisation requires embracing additional strategies: 

Community engagement and learning 

Actively engaging community members in understanding the significance and methodologies of resource mobilisation fosters innovative and sustainable approaches.  
 
Tailored workshops, training sessions, joint initiatives, and awareness campaigns can enlighten and motivate community participation, leading to a deeper and more active involvement in these efforts. 

Building networks and partnerships 

There’s a need for platforms or initiatives that facilitate better communication and collaboration. This might include regular stakeholder meetings, shared databases of resources and needs, joint planning sessions, and collaborative projects.  
 
Building strong relationships and trust among different entities is also crucial for effective coordination.
 

Capacity sharing 

Enhancing capacity sharing requires creating a culture of openness and collaboration, where organisations see the value in learning from and supporting each other. This can be facilitated through networking events, workshops, mentorship programmes, joint training sessions, and collaborative projects.  
 
It also involves recognising and respecting the diverse strengths and contributions of different stakeholders. 

Customising approaches to local needs 

Resource mobilisation strategies must be adaptable to the specific cultural, economic, and social contexts of each community.  
 
This customisation ensures that the efforts are relevant and effective in addressing the unique challenges and leveraging the specific strengths of each community. 

Conclusion: the path ahead in humanitarian efforts 

In summary, developing capabilities for local resource mobilisation necessitates a shift from theoretical models to practical, community-centered strategies.  
 
This process involves navigating various challenges, including the lack of a cohesive strategy, inadequate training for specialists, and competition within the NGO sector.  
 
The path forward lies in empowering local communities, cultivating leadership, and nurturing partnerships. Lessons learned from diverse contexts such as the Middle East and Africa region offer valuable insights into effectively mobilising local resources.  
 
These insights underscore the importance of involving local communities and investing in their capacity-building efforts. Such an approach promises not only greater efficiency and sustainability but also ensures that resource mobilisation strategies are closely aligned with the unique strengths and needs of local communities.

About the author 

Alaa Albakour is a passionate community mobilisation and capacity-strengthening expert with more than ten years of experience amidst the Syrian crisis and fragile contexts through his work both as a team member and consultant in I/NGOs.

As a certified PMD Pro and PgMD Trainer, he coaches and mentors grassroots civil society organisations in building a response that matches their community needs – both individual organisations or a network of civil society actors. He specialised in mobilising community resources, such as youth volunteers to avoid funding dependency.

He has worked with teams of different backgrounds and has solid intercultural skills. Alaa holds a degree in Business Administration and is currently pursuing his PhD. He served on the HPass Steering Committee to contribute to improved learning across the humanitarian sector. 

Alaa is speaking at the Humanitarian Xchange 2024 – the inaugural hybrid conference from Save the Children UK and the Humanitarian Leadership Academy taking place on 20 February at the Business Design Centr in London, UK and online.   

Will you join in the conversation? Join in person or online – registration is still open and the Humanitarian Xchange is free to attend.   

The views expressed in this HLA Community opinion piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Humanitarian Leadership Academy. 

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Webinar discussion – The Shift: Building Capabilities for Local Resource Mobilisation 
 
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