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A shrinking humanitarian space?Dr Sara PantulianoOctober 2015
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Definition of ‘humanitarian space’
Agency centred definition: ability of agencies to evaluate and respond to needs, monitor programmes and dialogue with the people
vs People centred definition: people’s ability to access both assistance
and protection
In reality humanitarian space entails complex negotiations with military, political and legal actors on an ongoing basis
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Is humanitarian space shrinking?
Common narrative: things are getting worsePoliticisation of aid is increasing (9/11)More aid worker attacksAccess more difficult to establish
But a look at the history reveals that there has been no past ‘golden age’ of humanitarian action
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Expansion of agency space
More aid organisations More aid workers More money
Humanitarian action has always been difficult and dangerous in situations of active conflict
Targeting of aid as a result of politics of humanitarian rejection, the underlying causes of which need to be understood
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External challenges
Scrutiny is often on external players or factors, e.g.:
national governments
stabilisation operations
UN integrated missions
counter-terrorism legislation
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Humanitarian system itself needs greater scrutiny
Humanitarian organisations represent a relatively powerful and well resourced group
Power highly concentrated in the hands of a core group of UN agencies and international NGOs
‘Humanitarian cartel’ 2008: 6 INGOs combined annual spending of $1.7 bn and 60% of NGO
staffing presence 2012: 5 INGOs combined annual spending of 38% of total 2014: ‘Big Five’ (0.1% of humanitarian NGOs worldwide) still account for
31% of total annual NGO expenditure
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Evolving humanitarian space
Impression of the humanitarian sector as a predominantly Western construct
Aid agencies driven by competing priorities and imperatives, not just a commitment to principles and best practice
The space has increased and so have the needs of people affected by disaster and conflict
Established system must evolve and involve – not isolate – new players. China has a role to play!
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A shrinking humanitarian space?Dr Sara PantulianoOctober 2015