The State of the Underfunded Humanitarian System, Stockholm

The number of people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance has increased sharply. Funding through the UN coordinated appeals covers less and less of expressed needs – despite more money and sustained efforts by humanitarian organisations. What is the state of the humanitarian system? And what do we know about the consequences of this funding gap?

This seminar will launch two reports. In the 2018 State of the Humanitarian System Report, the Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action, ALNAP, describes and analyses the humanitarian system and its overall performance.

In a new EBA report, Sophia Swithern, Development Initiatives, UK, investigates the trend of underfunding in connection to the UN coordinated appeals for humanitarian assistance. What are the consequences for people in need? What are the effects on humanitarian organisations and the UN appeal system at large?

Presentations will be followed by a high-level panel discussion.

Welcome!

Programme

12:30 - Registration

13:00 - Introduction Johan Schaar

Presentation of State of the Humanitarian System: John Mitchell

Underfunded Appeals – Understanding the Consequences, Improving the System: Sophia Swithern

Panel Discussion with Marcy Vigoda, Niklas Wiberg, Oliver Schulz, Alice Olbrecht & representative from Sida (TBD) Moderator Johan Schaar.

15:00 - End of Seminar

Speakers

• John Mitchell, Director, ALNAP
• Sophia Swithern, Chief, Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation Branch, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
• Marcy Vigoda, Head, Partnership and Resource Mobilisation, UNOCHA
• Niklas Wiberg, Deputy Director, Head of humanitarian group, Swedish MFA
• Oliver Schulz, Director General, Médicins Sans Frontières, Sweden
• Alice Obrecht, Senior Research Fellow, ALNAP
• Representative from Sida (TBD)

Moderator: Johan Schaar, vice chair, Expert Group for Aid Studies and chair, ALNAP.