ATHA Podcast

In this webcast, our expert panel discusses whether the public or private sector should lead investment in resilience building. We examine the costs and benefits of each approach, and question how the humanitarian and development communities can work with the private sector on DRR while remaining impartial actors. Panelists include: Dan Sparks (Global Humanitarian Assistance Programme), James Crask (PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP), and Simon Levine (Overseas Development Institute).

How can early recovery best complement initiatives geared toward promoting peace, stabilization, and recovery from conflict?. Panelists included: Rahul Chandran (UNOCHA), Paul Porteous, BEc LLB, MPA (ANZSOG Institute for Governance), Saqib Lughmani (UNDP Pakistan), and Angela Raven Roberts (Oxford University).

Despite improvements in the coordination and delivery of humanitarian assistance in recent decades, armed conflict remains a leading public health concern. Panelists included: Johan von Schreeb (Karolinska Institutet), Michael Van Rooyen (Harvard Humanitarian Initiative), and Enrique Steiger (SwissCross).

The scope and character of peace-building and stabilization missions significantly affect the work of humanitarian actors. This Humanitarian Assistance Webcast examined the role of peace building in the context of humanitarian engagement. The discussion was moderated by Christina Blunt (ATHA Coordinator, HPCR) and Dustin Lewis (Program Associate, HPCR). Panelists included: Antonio Donini (Tufts University), Dr. Claudia Hofmann(Chatham House) and Masayo Kondo Rossier (OCHA)

To better understand the underlying complexities and to foster strategic engagement concerning programmatic approaches in these settings this Humanitarian Assistance Webcast examined the tensions, opportunities, and challenges at the intersection of HRL, IHL, and humanitarian action. The discussion was moderated by Christina Blunt (ATHA Coordinator, HPCR) and Dustin Lewis (Program Associate, HPCR). Panelists included: Claude Bruderlein (Director, HPCR), Michaël Neuman (MSF - CRASH) and David Petrasek (Associate Professor, University of Ottawa)

Humanitarian organizations face an inevitable tension that arises from two separate accountability structures. One framework, established by Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions of 1949, holds organizations accountable to host states and donor states. A second framework, the human rights based approach, calls for accountability to individuals affected by hostilities. These two accountability structures create a multiplicity of obligations for humanitarian operators, who must simultaneously respond to the expectations of host state authorities, maintain accountability to donors, and respond to the needs of beneficiaries. The discussion was moderated by Claude Bruderlein (Director, HPCR) and Christina Blunt (ATHA Coordinator, HPCR). Panelists included: Andy Featherstone (Humanitarian Consultant), Brian Kelly (Emergency and Post Crisis Advisor, Asia and Pacific, IOM) and Maria Kiani (Senior Quality and Accountability Advisor, HAP International).

A recent report published by the UK Overseas Development Institute and the US Stimson Center assesses the impact of integrated missions on humanitarian response in conflict-affected regions. As the report notes, though integration of UN missions remains a polarizing issue, it is likely to remain the UN’s enduring operating procedure and hence will impact the doctrine and professional standards of humanitarian agencies for the years to come. The discussion was moderated by Dustin Lewis (Program Associate, HPCR) and Christina Blunt (ATHA Coordinator, HPCR). Panelists included: Claude Bruderlein (Director, HPCR), Conor Foley (Independent Humanitarian Analyst), Marit Glad (Global Advocacy Adviser, Norwegian Refugee Council) and Alison Giffen (Deputy Director, Senior Associate, Future of Peace Operations Program, The Stimson Center)

To date, according to many observers, clusters tend to be more process than action oriented and largely exclude national and local actors. Much work still needs to be done to improve inter-cluster coordination and the direct funding of clusters rather than bilateral support has caused delays in operations. The cluster approach is not without positive developments. There have been improvements in the coverage of certain areas and better identification of gaps and duplication in assistance. However, in light of the observed international response to major disasters in recent years it is evident that the criticism that spurred the humanitarian reform process still has real traction. The discussion was moderated by Claude Bruderlein (Director, HPCR) and Christina Blunt (ATHA Coordinator, HPCR). Panelists included: Belinda Holdsworth (Humanitarian Coordination Support Section (HCSS) - OCHA Geneva), Patricia McIlreavy (InterAction), and Julia Steets (Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi))

In recent years, humanitarian organizations have seen a rise in constraints on their access to vulnerable populations in times of conflict or internal disturbance. While international law provides important bases for humanitarian NGOs to obtain access to populations in need, it also imposes clear responsibilities on humanitarian organizations in terms of the maintenance of a neutral, independent and impartial approach to such situations. The discussion was moderated by Dustin Lewis (Program Associate, HPCR) and Christina Blunt (ATHA Coordinator, HPCR). Panelists included: Ashley Jackson (Research Fellow, Overseas Development Institute) and Dr. Heike Spieker (Deputy DIrector, International Services/ National Relief Division of German Red Cross)

Humanitarians are continually charged with the reevaluation of their work based on the evolution of conflicts and disasters. No longer satisfied with simply providing relief in times of crisis, the frontier of humanitarian action has expanded to include not only life-saving assistance but also prevention and rehabilitation activities. However, this change in scope calls into question the classical distinction between relief and development programs, the core principles of humanitarianism, and how professionals conduct operations in the field. The discussion was moderated by Claude Bruderlein (Director, HPCR) and Christina Blunt (ATHA Coordinator, HPCR). Panelists included: Samir Elhawary, Research Fellow at the Overseas Development Institute, and Sajedul Hasan, Director, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, Bangkok and Chief of Party for PEER, ADPC, Bangkok.

This Humanitarian Assistance Podcast engaged participants in a dynamic discussion with the leading actors in the professionalization of the humanitarian sector. The discussion was moderated by Claude Bruderlein (Director, HPCR) and Christina Blunt (ATHA Coordinator, HPCR).

In this month's humanitarian assistance podcast, our panelists considering community participation in humanitarian relief and protection. The discussion was moderated by Claude Bruderlein (Director, HPCR) and Christina Blunt (ATHA Coordinator, HPCR).