GSD is a humanitarian organization that was initially established as an informal group in 2015 in response to Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu. It later formalized its status as a nonprofit, non-governmental organization in 2019. That initial response shaped the organization's core mission: to collaborate with communities, respond to their identified needs, address existing gaps, and apply innovative approaches and capabilities to its work.

How They Work

GSD is committed to being locally led, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources, and upholding its core values of humility, integrity, and accountability. These principles serve as the foundation of the organization, guiding its actions and shaping the expectations of its partners.

Locally Led

GSD believes that the most effective action is driven by local leadership with external support. The organization values the local perspective in decision-making, prioritizing the goals of its partners as well as the structures and systems they have developed. By doing so, GSD aims to foster sustainable change within communities.

Good Stewardship

GSD believes that responsible stewardship of resources—including people, assets, and relationships—is essential. The organization carefully and responsibly manages the resources it has access to in order to effectively support its work.

Core Values

GSD's core values define its identity and reflect its fundamental beliefs:

• Humility: Mission first, team second, self third.
• Integrity: Doing the right thing, not the easy thing.
• Accountability: Taking individual and collective responsibility to achieve goals.

Opportunity

GSD identifies four key areas where it can make the most meaningful contribution to the humanitarian sector:

• Ambidextrous Approach: Operating across both traditional and non-traditional sectors, the organization embraces best practices and insights from each.
• Innovation for System Transformation: With the resources to explore innovative approaches, GSD shares its learnings to drive systemic change in the field.
• Locally Led: Prioritizing leadership from those closest to crises, GSD works to reshape the role of local, national, and regional actors in the humanitarian system.
• Embracing Non-Traditional and Underutilized Partners: The organization actively engages non-traditional partners in disaster response, preparedness, and climate adaptation, with a particular focus on the maritime domain.