Humanitarian Policy Group

?? Introducing HPG's Integrated Programme for 2024-2027 – Collective action in crises: rights, resilience and reform. Our world is rapidly changing, and new risks are emerging. That's why over the coming years we'll be focusing on three flagship research topics to complement our existing research portfolio, which address the ever-changing humanitarian landscape and put into sharp focus the importance of collective action. Our projects will focus on: ?? The lives and livelihoods of urban internally displaced persons (IDPs) ?? State-led crisis response ?? Gendered norms and protection risks: victims, perpetrators and agents of change? Our Integrated Programme also includes work to remodel the Humanitarian Practice Network to become a knowledge platform focused more on national humanitarian practice, as well as HPG’s ongoing work on crisis response. Find out more about this exciting new body of work now → https://lnkd.in/e5NqcR5s #CollectiveActionInCrises #HumanitarianCrisis #CrisisResponse

?? 3 days left to apply!

We're pleased to announce that Dr Agnes Callamard, Secretary General at Amnesty International, will also be joining this critical discussion. Register now ?

How can humanitarian principles be upheld when the conduct of conflict is shifting towards disregard for civilians? ? On 2 December, we will host Francesca Albanese (#UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967), Dr Agnès Callamard (Secretary General at Amnesty International) and Dr Nimer Sultany (Reader in Public Law at SOAS University of London) to discuss violence against civilians and impunity in #Palestine and beyond. Register to join us online ??

“We live in an environment of total impunity. Everybody does what everybody wants.” – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.? ? Over the past year in Gaza and across Palestine, there has been a staggering increase in International Humanitarian Law violations and atrocity crimes, with devastating human impact. Beyond Palestine, ongoing trends of unaccountable mass atrocities are becoming normalised, whether in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Ukraine or elsewhere. ? What does it mean to uphold humanitarian principles when the nature and conduct of conflict is shifting towards disregard for civilians, along with a distinct lack of accountability for perpetrators? ? How should and can the humanitarian sector respond to such levels of abuses? ? For the Humanitarian Policy Group’s Annual Event 2024, we are delighted to host Francesca Albanese, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, and Dr Nimer Sultany, Reader in Public Law at SOAS, for a discussion on violence against civilians, International Humanitarian Law and impunity in Palestine and beyond. ? ?? Monday 2 December, 18.15 – 19.30?GMT ?? Register to join us online → https://lnkd.in/ds2FtMj4

The latest edition of #Disasters, HPG's peer-reviewed journal, is out now! ?? This special issue tackles the critical topic of famine and food security, asking whether we are witnessing new trends and systems or if it's politics as usual. Supported by the Global Network Against Food Crises, this issue dives deep into global food emergencies and their far-reaching humanitarian implications. Read the full issue now → https://lnkd.in/e8KSRZKA #DisastersJournal #Famine #FoodSecurity #HumanitarianAid

???? In the case of Ukraine, narratives have painted a binary picture, presenting Ukrainians either as vulnerable victims or resilient resistors of Russian aggression. A recent Humanitarian Policy Group report on Russia’s war in Ukraine reveals how these narratives have shaped public perceptions and aid responses, but overlook affected communities’ complex realities. While emphasising Ukrainian resilience has garnered international support for Ukraine’s war effort, it obscures deeper, less visible vulnerabilities, such as the psychological toll on local aid workers amid prolonged conflict. Meanwhile, narratives focused on vulnerabilities have contributed to stereotypes of Ukrainians as the ‘ideal refugee’, contrasting with perceptions of other displaced groups. Join us in person (in London) or online on 11 December to hear more about how this has impacted the Ukraine humanitarian response. Hannah Richards (Disasters Emergency Committee), Maryana Zaviyska (Open Space Works Ukraine), Agnieszka Kosowicz (Konsorcjum Migracyjne), Sarah Redd (Oxfam) and John Bryant (HPG) will explore how we can learn from the example of Ukraine to build future humanitarian narratives that reflect a more nuanced understanding of vulnerability. We will discuss: – How humanitarian organisations can balance narratives of vulnerability and resilience – Challenging stereotypes about ‘deservingness’ – Collaborating with local actors to enhance understanding and support for affected communities, and much more. ?? Register to attend now: https://lnkd.in/eX2nS9i9 ?? Catch up with our report – “Narratives and the Ukraine response: Implications for humanitarian action and principles”: https://lnkd.in/eTYcMpwW #Ukraine #RussiaUkrainianWar #StandWithUkraine

#ConsultancyOpportunity: The Humanitarian Policy Group is currently working on a three-year research programme centred on the livelihoods of urban internally displaced persons (IDPs), which will include a case study of urban IDPs in Mosul, Iraq. To fulfil this work, we're looking for a research partner (which can be an individual, group of individuals or organisation) to: ?? Undertake data collection in Mosul ?? Contribute to the research project ?? Support the report production and dissemination. Interested? Learn more about the project and how to apply (by Monday 25 November) →?https://lnkd.in/dpq_kxZ #ResearchProject #Consulting #Iraq #IDPs

In 2022, the United Nations Security Council (#UNSC) passed Resolution 2664, adopting a ‘humanitarian carve-out’ to asset freezes in regimes facing sanctions. This means humanitarian finance can flow into countries where sanctions otherwise apply. This resolution was also applied to the UNSC Resolution 1267 ISIL (Da’esh) and al-Qaida sanctions regime, for an initial period of two years. Our latest insight piece explores the importance and impact of the humanitarian carve-out, particularly in countries where ISIL (Da’esh) and al-Qaida operate, and from the perspective of donor governments, humanitarian organisations and financial institutions. We highlight the collective action needed to ensure that the UNSC Resolution 2664 humanitarian carve-out continues to apply to the ISIL and al-Qaida sanctions regime in order to reach the millions of people living in countries where those groups are present and who are in need of lifesaving assistance. Read on ? https://lnkd.in/ebGa4CzU #Resolution2664 #Resolution1267 #FinancialSanctions #HumanitarianResponse | Norwegian Refugee Council Deutsche Bank Alexandra Spencer Bérénice Van Den Driessche Ellie Ward

Over the past couple of years I’ve been leading research for the Humanitarian Policy Group at ODI Global, supported by British Red Cross, exploring narratives around Russia's war in Ukraine and their implications for humanitarian action. I'm beyond excited today to share our final report from the research. It's been a pleasure working with HPG colleagues, as well as our partners at Open Space Works Ukraine and Konsorcjum Migracyjne. It's been fascinating to dig into the narratives that have shaped perceptions and decision-making around the humanitarian response in Ukraine and beyond. Our report dissects narratives around Russia’s war in Ukraine, from solidarity and vulnerability, to resilience and recovery. Practical implications of these narratives have included challenges to humanitarian principles and barriers to refugees’ long-term integration. Some key takeaways: ? ?? Humanitarian responses to Russia’s?war in Ukraine have been influenced by narratives of solidarity, shaping perceptions of who deserves aid and raising the question of whether solidarity inevitably conflicts with humanitarian neutrality. ?? Competing portrayals of Ukrainians as vulnerable and resilient create a complex dynamic that humanitarian organisations must navigate, emphasising the need to accurately reflect the diverse realities of affected communities (many Ukrainians feel they can be both). ?? The crisis is viewed by many as a success story for localisation, yet there is a tension between this narrative and local civil society experiences, suggesting a need for international actors to reflect more critically on the localisation of the response. ?? You can read the report here: https://lnkd.in/e-VieXzR ?? And if you'd like to hear more - we're hosting an event on December 11. Sign up here to join in-person or online: https://lnkd.in/eBhBZYSX A big big shoutout to all the people who have been involved in the work over the past couple of years (or at least, those I can find on LinkedIn)- Patrick Sáez John Bryant Zainab Moallin Clem Bruce Jessica Rennoldson Kate Oliver Silvia Colona Etienne Berges Maryana Zaviyska. It's been a real team effort. And in the meantime, you can enjoy some of our beautiful graphics here ??