The humanitarian sector has gotten bigger — as a result of increasing need — and better over the past few decades, according to David Miliband, president, and CEO at the International Rescue Committee.
“We know that the rise in intra-state conflict … has been the biggest driver of humanitarian need,” he said. “We know that that’s been exacerbated — in some ways driven — by the climate crisis, and we also know that there are one-off events like COVID-19 which drive extra humanitarian need.”
But knowing much more today than 25 years ago about what works means the sector is better at responding, Miliband added, with the caveat that there are still major areas of improvement needed. “It’s neglectful of the interests of women and girls who are the majority of clients,” he said.
IRC — which won the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize in 1997 — works with local groups like Togoletta, a women-led group in the Bidi Bidi refugee settlement in Uganda.
Women have voices and rights, Betty Ide, leader and one of the six co-founders of Togoletta, told Devex. “A good leader can speak her voice to be listened [to] as a woman,” she said. “A good leader also can address issues concerning women and girls; a good leader is a woman who can speak on behalf of other women.”
For IRC, the face of the humanitarian sector is the people it works with and Miliband said there needs to be a better balance of international and local expertise.
Visit the future of humanitarian action series for more coverage on the pressing humanitarian issues that exist today and a discussion around how we must build our future together. You can join the conversation using the hashtag #humanitarianfuture.
About the authors
Rebecca L. Root
Rebecca L. Root is a freelance reporter for Devex based in Bangkok. Previously senior associate & reporter, she produced news stories, video, and podcasts as well as partnership content. She has a background in finance, travel, and global development journalism and has written for a variety of publications while living and working in Bangkok, New York, London, and Barcelona.
Naomi Mihara
Naomi Mihara is an Associate Editor for Devex, working on creative and audiovisual projects. She has a background in journalism and international development, having previously served as an assistant correspondent for Japanese newspaper The Yomiuri Shimbun and as a communications officer for the International Organization for Migration in Southeast Asia. She holds a master’s degree in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University.
