Webinar: Global Crises, Local Action: A Humanitarian Reset in Response to Covid-19?

Decades-long commitments to supporting more ‘local’ responses to crises have not resulted in significant shifts in the traditional humanitarian system. Funding, decision-making and capacity continue to be concentrated in large international aid actors. Experts are now highlighting the critical role that local responders will play in relation to Covid-19 given their ability to act fast, engage communities and maintain delivery in the context of national and international travel restrictions. Will this lead to a reset of the humanitarian system? Or, beyond the rhetoric, will it be business as usual?

This event launched Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG)’s new report, From the ground up: it's about time for local humanitarian action, which brings together two years of research on examining humanitarian action, power imbalances and local capacity. Using report recommendations, it discussed whether COVID-19 is unlocking some of the barriers to more locally-led humanitarian responses in practice. 

This event is part of the ODI at 60 Global Reset Dialogue Series, challenging decision-makers to provide more sustainable and equitable pathways for the future.

For more information or to view the recording of the webinar, please click here.