The world is in the midst of the worst food crisis in modern history. As the confluence of geopolitical, economic and climatic crises fuels global shortages, a staggering 326 million people in 63 countries are in need of humanitarian assistance, of whom 222 million face severe food insecurity and up to 50 million are at risk of starvation.
The poorest countries are hardest hit by the global rise in food prices caused by the war in Ukraine. And with an impending climate catastrophe threatening to worsen the impact of conflict and supply chain disruptions, the humanitarian sector must take a more proactive and forward-looking approach to the growing hunger crisis.
By building on climate science, we can anticipate risks and address humanitarian needs before they become emergencies.
Until relatively recently, humanitarian organizations have not paid much attention to climate change. However, the increase in weather-related humanitarian emergencies has prompted the sector to recognize the threat it poses to low-income countries and the global food system. While the deadly floods and heat waves that have ravaged Europe over the past two years have shown that even countries thought to be relatively safe are not immune to extreme weather events, developing countries are much more vulnerable.
In 2021, 94% of IDPs were internally displaced due to weather-related hazards. The floods in Pakistan last year inundated a third of that country, killing more than 1,730 people, affecting 33 million people and causing an estimated $16.3 billion in economic damage.
As climate change causes humanitarian crises around the world, the number of people in need of assistance has increased by 40% in the last year. In response to growing needs, humanitarian funding has nearly doubled over the past decade, reaching $31.3 billion in 2021.
empower locals
But while funding has increased, the challenge facing international organizations and NGOs today is to maximize the impact of these resources and empower local and national organizations. As of today, two-thirds of all direct donations for humanitarian causes go to United Nations agencies and leading international organizations such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent. While these large institutions play a crucial role, community initiatives often have a better understanding of local contexts.
The world’s biggest donors and NGOs seem to have recognized this when they launched the Grand Bargain initiative in 2016 and pledged to give 25% of humanitarian funds to local organisations. But seven years after that deal was announced, the number is still below 2%. So far, the way the sector has worked has been reactive.
Whether in Haiti, Ethiopia or Pakistan, the methods are the same: a crisis arises, a humanitarian appeal is launched, funds are collected and aid is delivered days (even months) afterwards. But by building on climate science, we can anticipate risks and address humanitarian needs before they become emergencies.
In 2021, 94% of IDPs were internally displaced due to weather-related hazards
Proactive action, defined as “acting before forecast hazardous events occur to prevent or mitigate serious humanitarian impacts before they fully manifest”, includes forecasting mechanisms as well as pre-agreed thresholds and triggers for the early release of funds. By responding to needs in this way, we can provide help more effectively and with dignity. For example, in 2019 both the Senegalese government and the Start Network organization purchased drought insurance policies, allowing them to receive funding for humanitarian response and coordinate responses to protect vulnerable communities.
But even anticipatory action has its limits. As a recent report by the Start Network shows, not all crises can be predicted or modeled. Still, this approach would allow humanitarian actors and organizations to be proactive, improve efficiency and prevent life-threatening events from escalating into disasters.
The global aid system must be reformed quickly. While some progress has been made in recent years, much of it has been transactional rather than transformative. Undoubtedly, the problems we face are complex and multifaceted, and we cannot ignore the political dimension of humanitarian action. Some may believe that necessity or desperation will compel the sector to change for the better, but scaling locally led and proactive action is a much more promising avenue.
The current climate crisis presents a unique opportunity for evidence-based humanitarian reforms. In our data-driven world, there is no reason to wait for a catastrophe. By anticipating risk and planning ahead, we can protect vulnerable communities and make the world a safer place.
Myriam Castaneda Solares is Advocacy Lead at Start Network, a global network of humanitarian NGOs.
Copyright ©: Project Syndicate, 2023. English translation: Rocío L. Barrientos
Follow PLANETA FUTURO on TwitterFacebook and Instagram and subscribe to our “Newsletter” here.