'Reforming the international humanitarian system' - Sir John Holmes

Support for Sir John Holmes’s call for investment in Disaster Risk Reduction as a better option than the equivalent on response....

....A call for an intensified campaign to drive home the need for more investment in disaster risk reduction by Sir John Holmes, former British diplomat and United Nations Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, has been welcomed by the Humanitarian Futures Programme at King’s College, London (HFP), as a timely reminder that the humanitarian sector has to change to meet new 21st Century challenges.

“Sir John gave a very insightful analysis to the Canada-UK Colloquium at Wilton Park when he warned that the virtues of strategic, long-term planning, which is widely acknowledged in the immediate aftermath of disasters, is fast forgotten because memories are short,” says Dr. Randolph Kent of HFP.

In his speech Sir John described the international humanitarian response scene as “a haphazard collection of organisations” which in reality was not a system in any recognisable state. More fundamental reform than hitherto would be needed at some stage, and whatever form this took, Sir John said it was clear to all that much greater focus had to fall on action before disaster struck.

“HFP very much welcomes John Holmes’ emphasis on investment in Disaster Risk Reduction as a better option than the equivalent on response,” says Randolph Kent. He also agreed with the former UN Emergency Relief Coordinator that much better communication with affected populations in disaster and conflict zones was required. This was particularly important in order to calibrate more effectively what local communities wanted and needed from international help and what the indigenous population could best do themselves.

“A key HFP message for some time has been the need to recognise that the international humanitarian community can make a major contribution to mitigate the effects of future threats, by helping to build local and regional resilience and capacity to prepare for disasters. I entirely agree with John Holmes that the UK can seize the moment and take a lead to mobilise the international community to focus on helping vulnerable countries improve the ways in which they can reduce risks and prepare for possible disasters,” adds Dr. Kent.