Asia-Pacific Humanitarian Partnership Week 2022

At the 2020 Humanitarian Partnership Events we asked the question: “what will the future of humanitarianism look like in the Asia-Pacific region over the next decade?

We documented what you said and this year we want to take the conversation further. Drawing on the report recommendations we heard the need to have a more inclusive humanitarian system that is able to better address the changes we are seeing in our region from climate change, cascading risks, complex emergencies and improved partnerships.

Background

Many of those responding in the Asia Pacific may not identify as humanitarian, yet they respond to the crises facing their communities from earthquakes to Pandemics and conflict. They make sure communities like youth, LGBTIQ, and/or people living with disabilities are not left behind.

Expected outcomes of the session:

• • Enhanced understanding of humanitarians that are not part of the current humanitarian system, as well as how we can better link to them.
  • A range of best practices and tools for inclusivity has been identified.
  • Synergies and collaboration opportunities are identified for further actions.

The session will aim at tackling the following questions:

• What can we do to build a more inclusive humanitarian system in Asia, that is based on demand and not supply?
• Are there examples that you would like to share of how to build an inclusive, whole of society humanitarian approach?
• How are you identifying who are the key responders?
• How are you navigating the challenges?

Background

The humanitarian system is ‘’a $25bn industry trying to deal with a $trillion problem’’. As the most disaster-prone region in the world, there is the need to ensure humanitarians operating in Asia-Pacific are working smartly and effectively, and making the most efficient use of limited resources within the context of growing needs brought about by climate change and ever more complex and protracted crises.

• How are forecast-based tools and anticipatory action being effectively used to strengthen the humanitarian-development nexus, and to respond to the threats presented by the climate crisis?
• How must coordination structures and financing mechanisms adapt to the challenges posed by the climate crisis, including creating a more holistic financing approach that focuses on resilience and DRR as well as humanitarian action.

• • Case studies of recent usage of preparedness tools and mechanisms have been shared.
  • A list of undertakable collective actions to ensure a more accurate, collective understanding of vulnerability has been identified.

Background

The growing humanitarian needs and frequency of crisis, compounded by the pandemic have put even more strain on an already stretched humanitarian system. Within Asia Pacific, many appeals are often not fully funded and the frequency and often layered nature of crisis mean that capacity to address these crises at the national level are being seriously challenged. The situation requires us to explore ways to innovate and diversify funding sources to meet humanitarian needs.

The Grand Bargain 1.0 also highlighted the need to ensure funds can reach local responders more directly and support local leadership- the continued emphasis on this in Grand Bargain 2.0 highlights that there is more progress here that needs to be made.

The session will aim at tackling the following questions:

• how can we improve resource mobilization for crises in the region, particularly natural hazards?Share examples of how this is being done?
• What efforts are being taken to make funds more direct, flexible and accessible, particularly to local responders, and what challenges remain? How can we collectively address these better?

Expected outcomes of the session:

• • Sharing of various funding models and practices to support humanitarian action, particularly local actors.
  • Understand areas where more efforts in the region are needed.

Background

As humanitarian needs grow so do protection concerns. Conflict, climate and political induced crisis, food shortages and the socioeconomic impact of covid-19 has put many at risk, particularly marginalized people, often resulting in negative coping actions. The protection needs of affected people are compounded by the challenges many humanitarian organizations face in trying to provide support. From issues of humanitarian access, shrinking NGO and civil society space, staff safety, restrictive government policies and practices, ensuring the centrality of protection requires ongoing and proactive efforts.

The session will aim to tackle the following questions centred around three overarching themes:

Challenges and gaps in meeting protection needs

● What is hindering our ability in the Asia Pacific to effectively meet the protection needs of affected people in humanitarian settings, particularly the most vulnerable? (word cloud)

• How can we improve protection outcomes for affected people, particularly vulnerable people? e.g. of what is being done.
• How do we ensure that humanitarian response and efforts respond to community feedback to improve our responses? Who do we need to engage with?

Who should the humanitarian sector be working with more to better promote the protection of affected people? e.g. of impact?

Expected outcomes of the session:

• Build a common understanding of protection gaps and challenges in the region.
• Highlighting ongoing and emerging initiatives.
• Identification of activities (individual/collective) to better support accountability to affected people.