We are increasingly seeing debates about the best use of aid money. Some argue that, in a context of growing humanitarian needs, resources should go towards addressing the most pressing and urgent suffering. Others argue that resources are better spent on providing longer-term solutions.
The truth is that both are necessary. A failure to respond to long-term needs will leave too many people reliant on recurrent short-term assistance that is expensive and often undignified. But not responding to short-term needs will leave too many communities cut off from development, left to drift in deep vulnerability and isolation.
Humanitarian and development needs are part of the same continuum of experience. We should be able to bridge this by seeking lasting impact across all our interventions before, during, and after a crisis — by supporting resilience.
About the authors
Sven Mollekleiv
Sven Mollekleiv is the senior vice president and head of corporate relations and corporate social responsibility in DNVGL. He is also the ombudsman in the DNVGL. He started in DNV as the HR director and member of executive board in 2001. He has previously been the secretary general of the Norwegian Red Cross, a position he held for 10 years. He was elected president of the Norwegian Red Cross in 2008.
Elhadj As Sy
Elhadj As Sy is the chair of the Kofi Annan Foundation. Prior to that, Sy assumed the role of secretary-general of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. He has extensive experience in leadership roles in the humanitarian sector, having previously served at a senior level with UNICEF, UNAIDS, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and other agencies for more than 25 years.
