6 priorities in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes regions

Over 70 representatives from civil society, governments, international and national non-governmental organizations, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, the United Nations, think-tanks and the private sector convened on Tuesday 31 March 2015 in Nairobi as part of consultations leading up to the World Humanitarian Summit.

Day-long deliberations focused on key challenges together with proposed solutions that are particular to the humanitarian system and humanitarian challenges in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes regions. Five main themes were identified as being of primary importance to the eastern Africa region: 1) Humanitarian Coordination; 2) Policy and Legislation/Disaster Risk Management; 3) Responding to Protracted Conflict; 4) Humanitarian-Development Linkages and Harmonization; and 5) Flexible Financing.

The meeting concluded with the identification of six priorities for systemic change to improve humanitarian effectiveness in eastern Africa:

1. Support/endorse creation of a global network of Southern NGOs.
2. Promote risk-informed development, including risk screening of all development investment at regional and national level, by Ministries of Planning and Finance as well as development partners.
3. Accountability to communities is adopted by states, donors and international and national humanitarian organizations. This accountability should be adopted across all sectors and operationalised at both strategic and programmatic levels.
4. Engage with communities as first responders, not passive recipients.
5. Establish “no regrets” financing systems at national level. Link early warning to early financing for early action to address acute needs in chronic crises. Establish pre-agreed triggers, defined actions (including for political, economic, social, and natural risk), and financing arrangements within Government systems, projects and among donors.
6. Review existing financial mechanisms including CHF, ERF, multi-partner trust funds, etc., to ensure funding is accessible to local NGOs in a timely, predictable and simple manner. Promote local NGOs as administrative agents.

These “Top 6” priorities/recommendations have been submitted to the WHS Secretariat for consideration at the WHS Thematic Consultation in September, the WHS Global Consultations in October, and the World Humanitarian Summit.