Take the case of the Rohingya response in Bangladesh. Humanitarian aid remains critical, but it’s no longer enough to just meet immediate needs. Local NGOs and host communities are calling for more than just immediate aid – they want longer-term planning, education support, mental health services, social cohesion, and sustainable livelihoods. Similar patterns play out in Afghanistan, where humanitarian needs are at an all-time high, but development efforts and peace-building remain underfunded or disconnected. 

 Meanwhile, in the Pacific, where climate shocks like cyclones and rising sea levels are a constant threat, communities are caught in a cycle of disaster response with little opportunity to build long-term resilience or investment in peace and governance. It’s clear that the humanitarian response system, as it exists now, is stretched to its limits—and not designed to go it alone. 

Collaboration must become the default, not the exception Empty heading

Breaking the siloed nature of international aid is easier said than done, but it starts with more intentional collaboration: 

• Government actors need to be engaged as long-term planners, not just as response facilitators.
• Humanitarian organisations must work in lockstep with development partners to ensure handovers are not just timely but also seamless.
• Peace-building organisations, often operating in the margins, should be recognised as central to building sustainable futures in conflict and post-conflict zones.
• Local and national NGOs must be in the driver’s seat, equipped and trusted to lead across all three areas—not just as responders, but as change agents.

Philanthropy and private foundations: An underutilised force Empty heading

Philanthropic organisations and private foundations can play a catalytic role in reshaping how we engage with complex crises. Unlike traditional bilateral donors, they often have greater flexibility to fund cross-sectoral approaches, take risks, and support innovation. 

For example, some private foundations in Asia-Pacific are investing in climate-smart infrastructure, youth peace-building programmes, and community-led preparedness—all of which bridge humanitarian and development goals. Others are supporting locally led organisations that are otherwise overlooked in formal humanitarian coordination spaces. 

 Yet, these contributions often happen in parallel to international aid efforts, rather than in coordination with them.

Imagine the potential if foundations, NGOs, and government actors planned together, aligned goals, and shared data. That’s the kind of synergy we need to build more resilient systems. 

Source : 16days of Activism