How the aid-industrial complex undercuts regional expertise and gives a competitive advantage to Western contractors with networks of ‘independent consultants’...
Why foreign aid isn’t as generous as the latest figures might suggest
A closer look at the OECD estimates reveals that assistance to least developed countries actually fell in 2022. Foreign aid spent at home now surpasses what big donors give to…...
Using AI to ‘decolonise’ language
We need to find a new language, new narratives, a new world view and the tools to create the words to overcome the “grand humanitarian narrative.” Can technology help?...
Donor Statement on Supporting Locally Led Development
The world's development, humanitarian, and peacebuilding challenges are vast and complex, with local implications. Equally, there are increasing opportunities to address and overcome these challenges, but success hinges upon enhanced…...
Aid profiles: The head of CARE on her decolonisation ‘journey’
In this occasional series, Aid profiles, The New Humanitarian profiles both leading and lesser-known humanitarians whose professional and personal stories offer provocative perspectives on the challenges the sector faces....
Decolonising Aid: A reading and resource list
In the last couple of years, "decolonising aid" has become a buzz term in the sector, and much has been written and said about the topic. Here is a list…...
Is Ukraine the next tipping point for humanitarian aid reform?
Mega-crises have the potential to trigger sector-wide humanitarian reform. The aid responses to these crises are usually highly visible, attract generous levels of funding, and involve numerous and varied humanitarian…...
Racism in aid sector is a hangover of colonialism, says scathing report by MPs
Senior roles still dominated by white people while appeals depict countries as inferior to UK, says international development committee...
Localisation only pays lip service to fixing aid’s colonial legacy
“Localisation” has become a ubiquitous term among humanitarians in recent years, used to refer to putting more power and funding in the hands of “local responders”. The term is simple,…...
Racism doesn’t just exist within aid. It’s the structure the sector is built on
Racism doesn’t just exist within aid. It’s the structure the sector is built on To disrupt colonial power inequalities, the global south needs to take more control...