Red Cross tips for localizing humanitarian response

Peter Walton, international director for the Australian Red Cross, is urging humanitarian organizations to “get their house in order” to facilitate the localization of relief work. So what can organizations do now to support the “Grand Bargain?” Walton shared his key tips with Devex on how to build organizational capabilities for localized humanitarian responses. 1. Focus on going local with national disaster management offices. “Local players have the capacity and ability to access information to act quickly,” Walton explained. “And they have specific skillsets for local coordination that are really core.” Walton sees this quick local reactivity as critical for an effective humanitarian response, but it is not often utilized properly. Ensuring an organization focuses on national resources first and foremost will be an important step in becoming more localized. 2. If international support staff are required, send those who are willing to be led by local leaders. Recent research by ARC showed that local players felt side-lined by international responders. They wanted to work with people who were willing to take direction from them. Walton explained that this requires strong leadership within the organization that sets the foundation for what is expected. Leaders may need to push this change — from the top down. “It needs a dramatic shift in mindset,” Walton said. “We are still operating within a system that, despite the good intention and discussion of decision making being led locally, is heavily tied to purse strings and accountability with donor requirements. This has a massive influence over local dynamics.” Letting local leaders lead is vital to supporting and enabling localization, he said. 3. Capacity is contextual, based on the nature of disaster. “We are seeing a range of disasters now,” Walton said. “There is a huge difference between a rapid onset cyclone or earthquake [as compared] to an El Niño or pandemic such as Zika or Ebola.” The skillsets needed will vary enormously, which is why localized responses can be better. “Especially after a disaster where people are working 24/7, that’s when local as possible and international as necessary really kicks,” Walton explained. This combination helps ensure “a country and organization are getting the right type of support to respond quickly.” Despite this, some capabilities will remain core, such as “the ability to lead, coordinate, assess and use the information to make informed decisions,” he said. “Having those basics in place will be required across the board.” Local staff need play these roles. Capability, he says, is not just found in donor countries. 4. Don’t forget that local staff will themselves be struggling with disasters. Local responders to a natural disaster will be coping with their own personal challenges following an emergency — including loss of loved ones, loss of a home and more. It is important, Walton said, to realize the emergency is a personal disaster in a localized response. As such, organizations needs to ensure there is appropriate support to allow local responders to cope — including mental health resources and the space to grieve. Devex delivers cutting-edge insights and analysis to the leaders shaping and innovating the business of development. Make sure you don't miss out. Become a Devex Executive Member today.