The COVID-19 crisis is upending many things, including the financial stability of NGOs, according to Amref Health Africa CEO Dr. Githinji Gitahi.
In a wide-ranging interview with Devex President and Editor-in-Chief Raj Kumar, Gitahi predicted that the pandemic would result in “serious disruption of this sector.”
NGOs will have a tough time recovering overhead costs, he said, adding that organizations often do not have the independence to cut costs because donors have significant control over how the money they contribute can be spent. In addition, he said, the lack of travel is leading to difficulty in making contacts to help with fundraising.
More interviews with humanitarian leaders on COVID-19. Watch:
• How Jan Egeland sees the crisis developing
• Mark Dybul calls for global task force
• Unacceptable — community health workers without protective gear
• Former OFDA chief gives Trump administration a ‘D’ on response
• How behavioral science is changing the response
Visit our dedicated COVID-19 page for news, job opportunities, and funding insights.
About the author
Raj Kumarraj_devex
Raj Kumar is the President and Editor-in-Chief at Devex, the media platform for the global development community. He is a media leader and former humanitarian council chair for the World Economic Forum and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. His work has led him to more than 50 countries, where he has had the honor to meet many of the aid workers and development professionals who make up the Devex community. He is the author of the book "The Business of Changing the World," a go-to primer on the ideas, people, and technology disrupting the aid industry.
