The humanitarian system seeks adequate answers to the immense and constantly growing humanitarian needs. As part of the local civil society, local actors are usually the first responders after a shock. Effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian action can be improved through local knowledge, trust and other complimentary capacities, giving local actors an increasingly important role. While local and national humanitarian organisations provide an important work, they often still function as mere implementers of strategic and operational decisions taken by international humanitarian organisations.
It is therefore crucial to support local actors in their own operational preparedness and response capacity, their organisational and institutional ability, in the availability of adequate funding and integration in relevant humanitarian coordination mechanisms. Equally important is the transformation of roles between the different actors within the humanitarian system.
General Assembly Resolution 46/182 led to the creation of the Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA). It focuses on the strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian emergency assistance of the United Nations.
In contexts of armed conflict, international humanitarian organisations increasingly rely on local and national actors to deliver aid. South Sudan is no exception. This report moves beyond abstract assumptions and global-level debates to understand the reality of the struggles and strategies of...
Letter from Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, to the members of the South Sudan NGO Forum (Feb. 2015)
