In the past two years, the humanitarian sector has contracted by almost one-third because of large falls in funding from public and private donors. While debates as to the how and why of humanitarian reform are not new, the scale of these cuts makes a changed sector now inevitable, though its shape and role continues to be contested.

What is apparent is that cuts have increased the gaps between needs and responses, and with them questions of if and how the countries affected by humanitarian crises will step into said gaps.

This policy brief draws some common findings from the examples of Kenya and Somalia, including both barriers and areas of practical progress through sub-national authorities, civil society and social protection mechanisms. These common findings are then considered in the context of the neighbouring countries of Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia, each undergoing unique transitions and with lessons for state authorities, civil society, donors and international organisations. While recent aid cuts have shown that a shift from internationally dominated humanitarian systems is necessary, these findings propose that unless these transitions strengthen accountability, inclusion and civic space, they will not meaningfully improve nationally led crisis response.

Report by the Overseas Development Institute