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Is there a future for the humanitarian sector? What should it look like?

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Based in Geneva, I cover the work of the United Nations and other international organisations there. My focus is on humanitarian aid, human rights, and peace diplomacy. I studied business and economics at the University of Lausanne before training as a journalist and joining SWI swissinfo.ch in 2021.

Countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, which have been key donors to the international humanitarian system, have recently slashed their aid budgets. This has thrown the sector into a deep crisis.

Given this situation, what strategies should humanitarian organisations consider? How can they persuade emerging economies to increase their contributions? Should they look to the private sector? Under what conditions? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

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John Matamba
John Matamba
The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

I think that the future is and will be uncertain because of the lack of collective determination of those who manage the United Nations, it is a tacit paradox, and as long as the human being does not change his striped cidi that the same thing will not happen.

Pienso que el futuro es y será incierto porque falta determinación colectiva de quienes manejan Naciones Unidas, es una paradoja tacita, y mientras el ser humano no cambie su cidi rayado de que no se puede seguirá lo mismo

MCGuisan
MCGuisan
The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

Why does the UN not set up safe zones for refugees in Gaza, free of terrorism, which would prevent bombings and make humanitarian aid available? Have they tried? They have not tried.

Por qué Naciones Unidas no habilita zonas seguras para refugiados en Gaza, libres de terrorismo, lo que evitaría bombardeos y permitiría disponer de ayuda humanitaria? Lo han intentado? No lo han intentado

MCGuisan
MCGuisan
The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

Why doesn't the UN set up safe zones for refugees in Gaza, free of terrorism, which would prevent bombings and allow humanitarian aid to be made available? Has it been tried? It has not been tried.

Por qué Naciones Unidas no habilita zonas seguras para refugiados en Gaza, libres de terrorismo, lo que evitaría bombardeos y permitiría disponer de ayuda humanitaris? Lo hannintrntado? No lo han intrntado

swisstester123@gmail.com
swisstester123@gmail.com

The deep crisis is made by the relevation of much of the money given to these organisations are misused and even corruptly misappropriated by the fund raisers and fund managers. To eradicate this, more transparency needs to be the convincing instrument to restart the confidence of the fund donors.

SwissMama
SwissMama
@swisstester123@gmail.com

“Much of the money” is a huge exaggeration and an unfair perpetuation of grossly inaccurate and damaging claims- what a reckless example of misinformation and conspiracy theory paranoia.____Are these organizations flawed and mismanaged? sure… but corrupt and morally bankrupt? No. They are full of dedicated and brave professionals. Don’t write them off because of a few bad apples. For example, the work that WHO does is absolutely essential and must be maintained. The problem is that these are mainly technical agencies run by technical professionals who are not sufficiently trained in management and more modern models of philanthropy. But WHO’s greatest weakness is being based in Geneva where the cost of living demands salary adjustments that consume precious resources better invested in actual health programs.

SWI.Aurore
SWI.Aurore
@swisstester123@gmail.com

Hello,__Transparency is serious especially to quantify. I supposed that a different era is implementiing. ____More respectful of our différences. A world where a dead is able to hear someone who is shouting.____The nuclear threaten is founding at last. I am not sure that nations which can't use will feel resspected. In that way, the question of slavery is raised. In other term, may I become your slave through money or do I prefer to be the Earth's slaver and défend on the rage of the Nature ? Only the Nature of persons know.

Abarto
Abarto
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

As a former ICRC delegate, I can confirm what I read in the comment of 15 May at 9.43am. ____At Geneva headquarters, 95% of the humanitarian mercenaries are French, who rule the roost, especially in logistics. Then there are the friends of friends. We saw this during the economic disaster, a disaster that was totally foreseeable, since a few delegates, including myself, had already warned of it in 2021. The answer: the ICRC is too big to fail. We saw the results: 2,500 delegates officially made redundant, many without social security cover, because ICRC headquarters had negotiated the headquarters agreement with Berne so as not to have to pay social security contributions.....Super humanitarianism. At the same time, Spoljaric and Kraenbuehl are well covered.....__I should also point out that the 2,500 is the official figure. An Asia Director told me that he himself had to make 2,000 colleagues in Asia redundant. We're already at 4,500. Add Africa and the figure rises even higher.__S In the field, I would say that the rate of mercenaries is 75%. Who are attracted by the fact that the ICRC pays for children's schools to the tune of 10,000, 15,000 or 20,000 US dollars per child......So before the franc donated goes to enable Aminata from Burkina Faso to give milk to her child...__Bref.__A scandal that the Swiss Parliament is fuelling by authorising the DFAE to donate a lot of money. An audit should have been carried out, and the employees who were made redundant should have had a say.

En tant qu'ancien Délégué CICR, je confirme ce que je lis ds le commentaire du 15 mai à 9h43.____Au Siège de Genève, 95 % de mercenaires de l'humanitaire, occupés par les français qui font la loi, notamment au niveau Logistique. Ensuite, viennent les copains des copains. Cela s'est vu lors de la catastrophe économique, catastrophe qui était totalement prévisible, puisque en en 2021 déjà, quelques Délégués dont je fais partie, avaient alerté. La réponse: le CICR est too big to fail. On a vu les résultat: 2500 Délégués officiellement licenciés, beaucoup sans couverture sociale, car le Siège du CICR avait négocié l'accord de siège avec Berne pour ne pas avoir à payer les charges sociales.....Super l'humanitaire. En même temps Spoljaric, Kraenbuehl sont bien couverts eux.....__Précisons également que les 2500 sont le chiffe officiel. Un Directeur Asie m'a confié avoir du lui-même licencié 2000 collègues en Asie. On en est déjà à 4500. Ajoutons l'Afrique et le chiffre monte encore.__S le terrain, je dirais que le taux de mercenaires est de 75 %. Qui sont attirés par le fait que le CICR paye les écoles des enfants à hauteur de 10'000, 15'000 ou 20'000 US dollars par enfant......Donc avant que le franc donné aille permettre à Aminata du Burkina lui permettra de donner du lait à son enfant...__Bref.__Un scandale que le Parlement suisse alimente en an autorisant le DFAE a donner bcp d'argent. Alors qu'un audit devait être fait avec droit de regard des salariés licenciés.

大塚浩之
大塚浩之
The following contribution has been automatically translated from JA.

With the global economy unstable, it is understandable that contributions from major countries are declining. __ I think crowdfunding is a good idea, using social networking sites to request support from companies and individuals. It would be possible to get governments to cooperate, for example by making donations tax-free. __ While understanding that national budgets are taxpayers' money, and that they are reluctant to provide international aid, how about reducing the burden on national governments and creating an environment in which it is easy for understanding companies and individuals to cooperate?

世界経済が不安定な中、主要国の拠出が減るのも理解できます。__私はSNSを利用し企業や個人向けに支援要請のクラウドファンディングが良いと思います。寄付金は非課税にする等、各国政府にも協力して貰うのは可能じゃ無いでしょうか？__国の予算は税金なので、国際支援に尻込みする現状を理解しつつ、各国政府の負担を抑え、理解ある企業や個人に協力し易い環境を各国に創出して貰うのはどうでしょう？

Rafiq Tschannen
Rafiq Tschannen

As they say: It is complicated.____I have experience in the international aid section. I was Chief Delegate of Caritas Switzerland in Kosovo. Our main project was the reconstruction of 3000 houses, burned down the Serbs when they had to leave Kosovo. The project was financed by Luxembourg, Sweden, Lichtenstein and the biggest donor was the Swiss Glueckskette, a TV appeal fund with generous funds from the Swiss public. An excellent project would say in all aspects.____UN projects? Yes, all should be scrutinized for its real benefits. ____Government funding running low? Well, we have all these billionaires from the East and the West. They can replace to a large extent the reduced government fundings.

Anonymous
Anonymous
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

That's what artificial intelligence means. So again the question, if you read my post on "aid organisations", would you censor it?__I read your post, and from my perspective it does not contain any offensive or inappropriate content that would warrant censorship. You are expressing a personal experience and opinion on the effectiveness of aid organisations, which is a legitimate perspective. However, platforms like Swissinfo have their own moderation guidelines, which can sometimes be stricter, especially when it comes to criticism of certain institutions or organisations.

Das meint die künstliche Inteligenz. Also nochmals die Frage, wenn sie meinen Beitrag zu "Hilfsorganisationen" gelesen haben, würden Sie den zensurieren?__Ich habe deinen Beitrag gelesen, und aus meiner Sicht enthält er keine beleidigende oder unangemessene Inhalte, die eine Zensur rechtfertigen würden. Du äußerst eine persönliche Erfahrung und Meinung zur Effizienz von Hilfsorganisationen, was eine legitime Perspektive ist. Allerdings haben Plattformen wie Swissinfo ihre eigenen Moderationsrichtlinien, die manchmal strenger sein können, besonders wenn es um Kritik an bestimmten Institutionen oder Organisationen geht.

Isabelle Bannerman
Isabelle Bannerman SWI SWISSINFO.CH
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.
@Anonymous

Hello @donpedro, thank you for your contribution. We do not censor posts, but moderate according to our guidelines, which apply to everyone. You can find them linked under the comment field, or directly here: https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/in-eigener-sache/nutzungsbedingungen/44139938

Hallo @donpedro, vielen Dank für Ihren Beitrag. Wir zensieren keine Beiträge, sondern moderieren anhand unserer Richtlinien, die für alle gelten. Sie finden diese unter dem Kommentarfeld verlinkt, oder direkt hier: https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/in-eigener-sache/nutzungsbedingungen/44139938

Anonymous
Anonymous
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

It has a great future if everyone donates.

Der hat eine grosse Zukunft, indem Alle spenden.

swisstester123@gmail.com
swisstester123@gmail.com
@Anonymous

It will be a greater future if everyone WORKS. (and not just wait to be given money)

Anonymous
Anonymous
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Hello, I think the international humanitarian aid/system does not depend so much on budgets as on the countries where this aid is urgently needed. Materially there doesn't seem to be a big problem, but if the aid can no longer get to the people in need, it will lead to a humanitarian catastrophe. The international community should take much more vigorous action in this situation. The following about the money from humanitarian organisations. __When I was at hotel management school, I did a stage at the reception desk of the Intercontinental Hotel in Geneva. Unfortunately, I had to see how the Red Cross delegates arrived in large cars and didn't stay in the cheapest rooms. That made it clear to me once and for all that I would not make any charitable donations. I remained true to this decision for the rest of my life. The WHO seems to spend a considerable amount on travelling and hotels, does that have to be the case? BUT . I volunteered for "good causes", "Amnesty International, Terre des hommes etc.". I gave them my time for their causes. Where I live today, I know very well where I can personally help. During the pandemic, I organised sustainable and good food for old people and mothers with their families. I bought this food and with it we were able to publicly care for about 400 people. I also donated a state lottery ticket and ice cream to the women and children. I enjoyed the whole campaign the most. We can all do good without an "international humanitarian system". Then we also know what we are doing with our money/donations. Where there's a will, there's a way.

Guten Tag, ich denke die internationale humanitäre Hilfe/System nicht so sehr von den Budgets abhängt als von den Ländern wo diese Hilfe dringend nötig ist. Materiell scheint kein grosses Problem zu bestehen, aber wenn die Hilfsgüter nicht mehr zu den bedürftigen Menschen gelangen kann, kommt es zu einer humanitären Katastrophe. Die Weltgemeinschaft sollte in dieser Situation viel energischer durchgreifen. Zum Geld der humanitären Organisationen folgendes. __Als ich die Hotelfachschule besuchte, machte ich einen Stage an der Reception des Intercontinental Hotels in Genf. Da musste ich leider sehen wie die Rotkreuz-Delegierten mit grossen Autos anfuhren und auch nicht in den billigsten Zimmern wohnten. Da war es für mich ein für allemal klar, dass ich keine karitativen Geld-Spenden machen würe. Ich blieb diesem Entscheid das ganze Leben treu. Die WHO scheint einen beträchtlichen Teil seiner Ausgaben für Reisen und Hotels auszugegen, muss das sein? ABER . ich setzte mich freiwilig für "Gutes" ein, "Amnesty International, Terre des hommes etc." Denen gab ich meine Zeit für ihre Anliegen. Da wo ich heute lebe, Weiss ich sehr gut wo ich persönlich helfen kann. Wärend der Pandemie, organisierte ich dauerhafte und gute Lebensmittel für alte Menschen und Mütter mit ihren Familien. Ich kaufte diese Lebensmittel und damit konnten wir öffentlich ca. 400 Menschen betreuen. Den Frauen und Kindern spendete ich noch einen staatlichen Lottoschein und ein Speiseeis. An der ganzen Aktion hatte ich am meisten Freude. Wir Alle können Gutes tun ohne "internationales humanitäres System". Dann wissen wir auch, was wir mit unserem Geld/Spenden tun. Wo ein Wille ist, da ist auch ein Weg.

SwissMama
SwissMama
@Anonymous

But what if the WHO is not able to attract the world’s most skilled scientists to effectively address important health challenges, recommend how to protect your children from life threatening diseases, develop the products, policies and practices to enable the good health you take for granted…? What then ? Do you really want them to compromise on their expertise and ability to guide the world on global norms and standards for public health? Do you actually understand what the WHO does and who works there? When you no longer benefit from the critical disease surveillance or have access to the recommendations, evidence, and services that exist entirely thanks to WHO, I bet you won’t be so worried about what kind of cars they drive or hotels they stay in. Make informed decisions, not snap judgments.

Aoar
Aoar

ja

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SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR