The humanitarian landscape is also changing in a world where technology is constantly evolving. With new technologies come new ways of fundraising and donating, and how we approach humanitarian work is transformed. In this blog post, we’ll explore how technology impacts humanitarian financing and how it is changing the way we approach helping those in need. We’ll also take a look at some of the challenges that come with this change and consider what lies ahead for the future of humanitarian work. Stay tuned!
The future of humanitarian action
There is no doubt that humanitarian financing is in a state of flux. The traditional reliance model on government and intergovernmental donors is challenged by a new wave of private philanthropy, corporate giving, and individual crowdfunding. At the same time, the effectiveness of humanitarian aid itself is under scrutiny like never before.
The World Humanitarian Summit was a watershed moment in which all of these trends came together. As a result, the summit called for a fundamental shift in the way we finance humanitarian action, from a ‘transactional’ approach to one that is more strategic, long-term, and holistic. In other words, we need to move away from simply responding to emergencies as they happen and instead focus on preventing and preparing for them in the first place.
This will require a new way of thinking about humanitarian financing, one that is fit for purpose in the 21st century. Here are three key trends that will shape the future of humanitarian financing:
A shift from traditional donors to new sources of funding
There is a growing recognition that the traditional humanitarian aid model, which relies heavily on government and intergovernmental donors, is no longer sustainable. This is due to a number of factors, including the rise of populism and nationalism around the world, which has led to a reduction in international cooperation; and the fact that many donor governments are facing their own domestic challenges and are therefore less able or willing to contribute to international humanitarian efforts.
- A move away from emergency response to prevention and preparedness
There is an increasing realization that the traditional approach to humanitarian aid, which focuses on responding to emergencies as they happen, is no longer effective. This is because it is often too late when an emergency occurs, and the response is often not well-coordinated or targeted.
As a result, there is a growing focus on prevention and preparedness. This means investing in early warning systems, risk reduction measures, and disaster resilience. It also means supporting local communities and civil society organizations to better cope with emergencies when they do occur.
- A move towards more strategic and long-term financing
There is a growing recognition that humanitarian aid needs to be more strategic and long-term to be effective. This means moving away from the traditional ‘transactional’ approach to one that is more holistic and takes into account the root causes of crises.
It also means financing humanitarian action in a way that is fit for the 21st century. This means moving away from ad hoc funding mechanisms and towards more strategic and sustainable financing models, such as social impact bonds and results-based financing.
How blockchain and other technologies are changing the humanitarian financing
The humanitarian sector is under pressure. Donor fatigue, increasing numbers of people in need, and a growing sense of global interconnectedness have challenged traditional humanitarian aid approaches. In this context, new technologies are emerging that could help transform how humanitarian assistance is provided.
One such technology is blockchain. Blockchain is a distributed database that allows for secure, transparent, and tamper-proof transactions. This makes it an ideal platform for humanitarian aid, as it can provide much needed transparency and accountability in the way funds are used.
In addition, blockchain can help track donations and ensure they reach their intended recipients. It can also be used to create smart contracts, which could automate the release of funds based on conditions being met.
The use of blockchain in humanitarian aid is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way assistance is provided. It could help make aid more efficient, effective, and accountable if properly harnessed. This is an important development that should be closely watched in a time of increasing need.