Recalibrating and Reimagining Humanitarian Action

Our world today faces a “Wicked Problem” in addressing humanitarian action amidst a confluence of polycrisis. Beyond armed conflict, the world is increasingly faced with environmental degradation, the spread of new zoonotic diseases, growing economic disparities, unstable financial systems, funding cuts, mass migration often due to forced displacement, extreme ideological rhetoric, social and political unrest, power imbalance in aid decision-making, and a growing threat of nuclear war.

In the bid to solve any of these challenges, a new set of problems is created. Several humanitarian emergencies are occurring concurrently, with each often being a symptom or consequence of the others. In most cases, these emergencies are protracted, deeper, and more challenging to respond to, making it impossible to address the needs of those suffering fully. There is no silver bullet solution to any of these critical issues. Indeed, from Haiti to Sudan, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Yemen, and from Gaza to Ukraine, the lives of the most vulnerable in society, particularly infants, children, women, and older adults, are at greater risk. Hundreds of thousands are faced directly with premature death, and the lives of millions are put in disarray, many of whom suffer from food, water, energy, and housing insecurity. Today, about 305 million people are estimated to need lifesaving assistance and a funding requirement of $47.4 billion; yet, the imbalance between needs and available funds is quite worrisome. This begs the question whether the current humanitarian apparatus is fit for purpose.

On this 19^th day of August 2025, as we celebrate World Humanitarian Day, we pause first to honour the bravery, compassion, and tenacity of all humanitarian workers and organizations – many of whom have risked their lives or have lost their lives in service of others – in saving lives, alleviating suffering, and promoting recovery in crisis affected areas. Beyond this recognition, today is a call to action. It is a call to recalibrate and reimagine humanitarian action. It is a call to shift from a reactionary to an anticipatory approach; a shift from top-down systems to bottom-up approaches. I draw attention to four key possible solutions, some of which have been proposed for the last two decades, yet have rarely been implemented.

First, a call to safeguard the humanitarian principles – humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence – as enshrined in International Humanitarian Law, while not neglecting the humanitarian standards. It is a call to ensure that humanitarian responses are appropriate and relevant, effective and timely, strengthen local capacities, avoid adverse effects, are coordinated and complementary, and are based on communication, participation, and feedback.

Second, a call to take an anticipatory approach instead of a reactionary one. A new system where humanitarian organizations take a more anticipatory, protective, and accountable approach to responding to crises. It calls for a greater level of joint analysis and coordination in responding to a crisis, and a stronger consensus about early action. It calls for new approaches in identifying innovation to address future challenges.

Third, a call to decolonize humanitarian action, particularly in the area of decision-making and funding. The engagement of local actors and the integration or advancement of indigenous approaches have proven to be effective. Concerted efforts should be made to ensure that humanitarian aid does not further impoverish locals in the long term. It also calls for us to rethink and redefine funding models that do not engender a dependency for the most vulnerable and destroy local capacity, but instead promote independence that would later set the stage to transition many out of crisis into sustainable livelihoods. This is particularly important at a time when the veracity of the United Nations is being questioned.

Fourth, it is a call to subscribe fully to an apolitical system, which is not girded by pretense, where donors and humanitarian agencies do not yield to the power manipulation, but seek the ideal goal of alleviating the suffering of the most distressed and pursuing all possible opportunities to promote respect for International Humanitarian Law.

On this day, despite your race, creed, religion, or political persuasion, let us remember the fallen, stand with those still serving, and reecho the need to protect humanitarian principles, recalibrate the aid system to empower local actors, confront the root cause of suffering, and protect human dignity.

Dr. Godfred Boateng
Associate Professor, School of Global Health
Canada Research Chair in Global Health and Humanitarianism (TII)

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