For years, humanitarians have worked so hard to see a steep drop in cutthroat poverty. Humanitarian work has been able to reduce the monstrous magnitude of the poverty cycle.
In the last one decade and a half alone, close to one and a half billion people have freed themselves from the claws of poverty. And for the first time in the history of humankind, extreme poverty has fallen by 10% in just one year.
Now, the preliminary goal of humanitarian work in the next 15 years is to end extreme poverty. Although this goal is achievable, chances are somewhat slim.
Humanitarians are facing threats to their engagements right, left, and center. The most common challenges include unexpected changes in weather patterns, a weak and sluggish world economy, harsh climate, and unpredictable events.
Today, the biggest blow to humanitarian work is the big number of displaced persons. We are not just talking about over 20 million refugees. Millions of internally displaced people have no place to call home.
What exactly is Hindering Humanitarian Work from Moving Forward?
-
Resistance to Change
Resistance to radical change is an absolute hindrance to the progress of humanitarian work. The inability of people to adapt has hindered the system from lending a hand to victims of endless conflicts and disaster.
-
Pressure and Tension
Smaller, specialized, and more local organizations can help in crisis zones. But increased risk aversion and pressure for organizational growth deny the opportunity to do so.
-
Failed Attempts to Improve Humanitarian Work
The humanitarian leadership has invested a lot to improve humanitarian response. However, they have failed to handle the unhealthy power dynamics.
Looking into the Future
If humanitarians must continue to bring a change, there needs to be a better approach to humanitarian work. It is good to know that many bodies are busy rewriting the codes of action as well as rules to govern cooperation.
Humanitarians are encouraged to move forward and expand their financing. Humanitarians should not wholly rely on grants or donations. Of course, donor grants are good. But, they aren’t sufficient to solve serious global issues.
A good approach would be to take advantage of donor assistance while increasing resource mobilization from developing countries. Also, stopping illicit financial flows and leveraging the investment of private sectors can make a big difference.
In helping to cement the participation of humanitarian work, development banks should be committed to helping the forced displacement crisis. They can do this by paying attention to and encouraging joint actions on both data and evidence.
If the future must be any different from now, participants in the humanitarian project must embrace the use of new financial tools. Further, it is important to adopt new ways to raise enough resources for crisis management.
Institutions like development organizations, faith-based groups, and civil societies can help to control the humanitarian work by finding solutions to the humanitarian crisis. Private sectors, too, will have to play a central role in helping to end extreme poverty and the poverty cycle.
