‘Localisation re-imagined’ is ALNAP’s six-part essay series on locally-led humanitarian action authored by Arbie Baguios, founder and researcher at Aid Re-imagined. Each of the essays, which are published monthly, explores a dichotomy of the localisation debate.

In this third article, Arbie explores the central role of local and national actors in humanitarian response, arguing that their capacity, resources and expertise are too often overlooked by the international system.