The past two decades have seen a massive expansion of the international humanitarian system, both in terms of the financial resources, number and diversity of actors involved. Yet current humanitarian responses may not be adequate to meet humanitarian needs, despite significant reform efforts.
ODI aims to enhance understanding of crisis contexts, and support improved decision-making in humanitarian policy and programming. We consider:
The application of humanitarian principles amidst the increasingly hostile and complex political and security environments faced by humanitarian actors.
The evolving architecture of the international humanitarian system and the growing diversity of humanitarian actors.
The complex and multiple drivers of vulnerability that inform humanitarian programming, including population displacement, the breakdown of traditional political and economic structures, civilian insecurity, loss of livelihoods, and conflict over natural resources.
Programming in protracted crises and transitional contexts and the role of humanitarian action within the shift from an externally-driven relief response to a nationally-driven recovery process.
Key publications and resources - click topic for listings
Humanitarian crises threaten lives,