The humanitarian system is not just broke, but broken: recommendations for future humanitarian action

• Published in: The Lancet (British edition)
• Main Author: Spiegel, Paul B, Prof
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 07.06.2017
• Subjects: Internal Medicine
• ISSN: 0140-6736; 1474-547X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31278-3

Summary An unprecedented number of humanitarian emergencies of large magnitude and duration is causing the largest number of people in a generation to be forcibly displaced. Yet the existing humanitarian system was created for a different time and is no longer fit for purpose. On the basis of lessons learned from recent crises, particularly the Syrian conflict and the Ebola epidemic, I recommend four sets of actions that would make the humanitarian system relevant for future public health responses: (1) operationalise the concept of centrality of protection; (2) integrate affected persons into national health systems by addressing the humanitarian–development nexus; (3) remake, do not simply revise, leadership and coordination; and (4) make interventions efficient, effective, and sustainable. For these recommendations to be implemented, governments, UN agencies, multilateral organisations, and international non-governmental organisations will need to put aside differences and relinquish authority, influence, and funding.