State of the humanitarian system - how is the Grand Bargain changing it?
During a briefing session, Alice Obrecht, Head of Research and Impact at ALNAP presented the State of Humanitarian System Report (SOHS)’s findings in relation to the Grand Bargain commitments to the Signatories.
Ms Obrecht presented how the context in which humanitarian aid operates has changed over the past 4 years, including the changes in the size and capacity of the humanitarian system. Linked to this, the SOHS report looked at the performance of the system in connection to the Grand Bargain commitments, such as effectiveness and efficiency, localisation, accountability to affected people, and the nexus.
While some of the findings are quite similar to those in the recent Grand Bargain Annual Independent Report 2022, noting mixed progress in a number of areas, the SOHS report did identify some longer-term progress, for example in the efficiency of funding mechanisms between 2018 and 2021, primarily driven by the reform efforts of the Grand Bargain Signatories. “While the annual Grand Bargain reporting process frequently noted that implementation was slower than desired, with several commitments remaining out of reach at the end of the first five years, comparison with previous SOHS reports indicates that achievements of the past four years are significant compared to a decade ago.”
We are hoping these positive developments, but also the remaining gaps, will inspire action by the Signatories. Evidently there are improvements when we step together and work collectively - and we have to do more in the next few months.