PART III EFFECTIVE HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE: IMPLEMENTING NORWAY’S HUMANITARIAN POLICY

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Photo: © IFRC/Benoit Carpentier

Chapter 5 People affected by crisis at the centre of the response

Norway’s humanitarian efforts are to be based on the affected populations and their needs, knowledge, and capacity. This entails that humanitarian actors must facilitate the active participation of the affected populations in the planning and implementation of the humanitarian response, without discrimination. Crisis-affected people should also be able to hold humanitarian organisations accountable for the quality and effectiveness of their humanitarian efforts. Accountability to Affected Populations is a fundamental principle in this regard.

High-quality context and conflict analyses and sound knowledge of the demographic composition of affected populations and underlying structures are crucial to ensure that the measures are adequately adapted to the situation. Analyses must be based on reliable data that are e.g. gender- and age-responsive and take into account how different forms of discrimination and inequalities may interact and exacerbate vulnerabilities. People in vulnerable situations, especially among religious and ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples, LGBTIA+persons, women, children, elderly people and people with disabilities, are particularly at risk. It is crucial that they themselves and their representative organisations participate in the planning and implementation of humanitarian efforts.24 Women’s rights and participation shall be prioritised, and we will contribute to strengthening women’s leadership in humanitarian response. Children and young people must be included in a meaningful way.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• promote a rights-based approach where crisis-affected people and their representative organisations are included in the decision-making processes, planning and implementation of humanitarian efforts;
• promote UN reforms to ensure that the needs of, and the participation by, crisis-affected people, are at the centre of the response, including in the UN’s coordination of emergency aid.

Chapter 6 Protection and humanitarian assistance

Norway’s humanitarian policy is implemented through the provision of humanitarian assistance and measures to protect people who are affected by humanitarian crises. Assistance and protection are two closely intertwined areas of humanitarian action.

In a humanitarian context, protection is understood to cover strengthening of and compliance with the international legal framework that applies in armed conflict (international humanitarian law), including the obligation of parties to armed conflicts to protect civilians and other protected groups from being affected by military attacks and other adverse impacts, directly or indirectly, caused by warfare. Furthermore, protection includes operational humanitarian action, in all humanitarian crises, which contributes to protection from violence and abuse, including violations of international human rights law or other rules of international law occurring as a result of a particular humanitarian crisis.

In this strategy, humanitarian assistance is used in a broad sense to include material relief and logistics support. Assistance may be, e.g., in the form of health services, medicines, food, water, sanitation, shelter and education.

Although there are significant unmet needs for humanitarian assistance, the main challenge in today’s crises is the inadequate protection of crisis-affected people. The lack of compliance with international humanitarian law in armed conflict results in civilians and civilian infrastructure being severely affected by the actions of the parties to the armed conflict. Even where international humanitarian law is respected, warfare causes major humanitarian protection needs. Norway will continue to prioritise protection by promoting respect for international humanitarian law and strengthening operational humanitarian efforts to prevent violence and abuse.

Providing humanitarian assistance is an important part of Norway’s humanitarian efforts. Humanitarian organisations are now delivering assistance to far more people than they did in the past. This is primarily due to an increase in financing, new technology and better coordinated ways of working, but also prepositioning, flexible financing mechanisms and staffing solutions, as well as increased use of early recovery.

Norway’s protection and assistance measures shall be rights-based, safeguard gender equality and target the needs of the most vulnerable people.

Norway will continue to promote reform of the humanitarian sector, and the focus on innovation, including the scaling up of successful innovations.

6.1 Protection – a continued commitment

Norway will continue its commitment to protection in humanitarian crises and armed conflict. International humanitarian law, international refugee law and international human rights law constitute the international legal framework for protection. In humanitarian efforts, a distinction is made between the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure in armed conflict in accordance with international humanitarian law, and humanitarian protection measures in all types of humanitarian crises.

Humanitarian action must, to a greater extent, contribute to reducing the risk of violence and abuse, and targeted protection measures must be prioritised and funded – including in the early stages of a crisis response. Norway plays a leading role in these efforts and will take new initiatives to promote respect for international humanitarian law and strengthening of the operational humanitarian protection efforts. We will reinforce alliances with humanitarian organisations, multilateral organisations and committed states to achieve progress, particularly in relation to people at high risk of being subjected to violence and abuse in vulnerable situations.

By working locally, including through mediation, some humanitarian actors are developing programmes to not only respond to, but also more actively prevent and protect against, violence. Norway will support such efforts.

Norway will continue to promote the protection of refugees and internally displaced people and contribute to a human rights-based, coordinated, and long-term response to the major refugee situations. Durable solutions for internally displaced people will be an important aspect of these efforts. This will remain a priority for Norway. We will help ensure effective follow-up of the High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement through the UN Secretary-General’s Action Agenda and support for the follow-up of the work done by the Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Solutions to Internal Displacement.

We will continue to prioritise the protection of educational institutions against attacks and military use in armed conflict. Attacks on health and humanitarian workers is a widespread and growing problem. Norway will continue its efforts to ensure their protection in crises and armed conflicts.

Protection of civilians against various types of weapons, mines and other explosives is given special priority. Warfare in densely populated areas is particularly devastating for civilians and vital infrastructure and requires a more adapted humanitarian response. Food systems must be maintained, and civilians must be protected from the use of starvation as a method of warfare.

People without valid documentation to confirm their identity, marital status, family relationships and property ownership are particularly vulnerable in crises. Missing documents, or documents not being recognised, is a problem that affects single women and children in particular. Norway will continue to draw attention to this issue at the international level and will support new and innovative solutions to ensure that crisis-affected people are issued the necessary documents.

Many people disappear during crises and armed conflicts and remain missing. The authorities in the country concerned have the primary responsibility for preventing disappearances and for respecting the next of kin’s right to information about the missing person. Norway will, in cooperation with relevant actors, particularly through The Global Alliance for the Missing, which Norway was part of establishing in 2021,25 work to draw attention to these challenges and will support relevant measures.

Digital threats represent an increasing risk for civilians living in conflict-affected areas. Challenges arise because of the blurred distinction between military and civilian digital infrastructure, as well as the dependency and vulnerability associated with the digitalisation of information and services. Disinformation exacerbates conflicts and increases the risk of groups and individuals being subjected to violence and abuse. The risk of misuse of personal data is also high in the humanitarian sector. Inadequate protection of personal data can be life-threatening for crisis-affected people.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• promote a strengthened humanitarian protection response;
• strengthen the interaction between humanitarian protection, conflict prevention and resolution, as well as peacebuilding;
• support initiatives and innovative measures to strengthen protection against digital threats in humanitarian contexts, including the protection of personal data.

Key initiatives will focus on the following themes:

Protection of civilians in armed conflict

Photo: © ICRC/Abed Zaqout

Norway will actively promote the protection of civilians and compliance with international humanitarian law. We will counter attempts to undermine or weaken obligations under international humanitarian law, show political engagement in situations where international humanitarian law is violated, and help to ensure that such violations are documented and prosecuted.

It is important to ensure that the humanitarian consequences of crises and armed conflicts and the need to protect civilians is high on the national and international agendas. In recent decades, most of the world’s states have managed to unite around several important agreements that further develop international humanitarian law, including the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention and the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Norway will take political initiative and show perseverance in seeking to further develop and strengthen the international framework. We will strengthen cooperation concerning the practical implementation of these obligations with relevant actors, including the Norwegian Armed Forces and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. One example is the Norwegian-led Safe Schools Declaration from 2015. Norway will continue to focus on the consequences of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

Compliance with international humanitarian law is not in itself sufficient to prevent civilian suffering. War and conflict carried out in line with the laws also result in harm and human suffering. We must always seek to reduce harm and suffering to human beings using the means at our disposal, not least through effective and principled humanitarian action.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• promote respect for – and compliance with – international humanitarian law;
• take a leading role in international forums and support measures that reduce human harm and suffering and strengthen the protection of civilians.

Protection of children and young people

Children and young people are a large and complex group who are particularly at risk and in special need of protection. Children also enjoy special rights.

Children are disproportionately affected in crises and armed conflicts. At the beginning of 2024, approximately 470 million children are living in a conflict affected area or are displaced.26 In humanitarian crises, children and young people are often left to fend for themselves, without the care and support of their loved ones. This renders them particularly vulnerable. Gender-based differences influence and can exacerbate vulnerabilities. In many cases, children do not have identity papers, in part because their births have not been recorded. This can undermine their chances of being granted citizenship and access to health services and education.

Young people often have little influence and visibility in humanitarian response. They are overlooked, and are perceived and treated as neither adults nor children. This results in particular vulnerabilities and needs. Young people are severely affected, however, they also have considerable capacity and often take on major responsibilities for themselves and their loved ones. They are an important resource that should, to a far greater extent, be allowed to participate in the design and implementation of humanitarian programmes. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the focus and engagement around young people in humanitarian efforts.

In armed conflict, children are especially vulnerable during military attacks in populated areas. The recruitment of children to armed forces and groups is on the rise.27 The risk of abuse is high, and many children and young people are traumatised. There is a need for both preventive measures to avoid recruitment, and for reintegration and psychosocial follow-up adapted to the target group.

It is important that children and young people with disabilities are included and able to participate on an equal footing with others to the greatest extent possible. Children and young persons with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to being subjected to violence and abuse. They are among the first to lose access to education and other basic services, and often the last to be included again.

Protection of children and young people will be given high priority in our humanitarian efforts. Norway will play an active role with a view to ensuring that the international community steps up its efforts to protect children and their rights and ensures their participation. Norway’s efforts to promote the protection of children in armed conflict in the UN Security Council will be followed up. The same applies to the commitments from the Oslo International Conference on Protecting Children in Armed Conflict of 2023. We will prioritise measures to prevent violence and abuse against children and young people, as well as the follow-up of survivors. In conjunction with our work in other policy areas, Norway will seek to prevent the recruitment and use of children by armed forces and groups, and strengthen efforts to release and reintegrate recruited children back into society.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• promote measures and initiatives that strengthen the protection of children and young people in situations of crisis and conflict and, through humanitarian diplomacy, direct attention to warfare that particularly affects children, including urban warfare;
• strengthen efforts to prevent children from being separated from their parents or caregivers in humanitarian crises, and support efforts to restore family relations where they have been separated.

Protection of education

Photo: © UNICEF/UN0611862/Ibarra Sánchez

Safe access to education in crisis and armed conflict is essential to ensure the right to education and to protect children and young people. In many armed conflicts, educational institutions are subjected to military attacks or used for military purposes. This means that children and young people are denied access to education and the protection it provides. This is a major, growing problem.

During the period 2020–2021, more than 5,000 attacks on schools, universities, students, and teaching staff were reported to have been carried out by state and non-state actors in 85 countries.28 The protection of educational institutions and affiliated individuals is a continued priority.

The main aim of the 2015 Safe Schools Declaration is to prevent attacks on schools and universities and prevent military use of such institutions. States that endorse the Declaration commit themselves to implementing measures to prevent the military use of educational institutions and thereby avoid such institutions becoming military targets. At the launch of this strategy, 119 states have endorsed the Declaration. In 2021, Norway initiated a network to support the implementation of the Declaration. The network contributes to the exchange of experience, information, and support at the country level.

The Declaration laid the foundation for Norway and Niger to jointly negotiate the unanimous adoption of Security Council Resolution 2601, which is the first of its kind dedicated to the protection of education in conflict situations.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• continue efforts to encourage more states to endorse and implement the Safe Schools Declaration, and mobilise in favour of implementation of Security Council Resolution 2601.

Protection of health

Photo: © ICRC/Alyona Synenko

To ensure that persons affected by crises and armed conflict have safe access to vital health services, it is crucial to protect the health sector from attacks. Hospitals and other health facilities must remain safe havens for civilians. Despite being afforded special protection under international humanitarian law, attacks on health workers, health facilities and ambulances are a widespread and growing problem in several armed conflicts. This results in fatalities and considerable harm to patients, personnel, and relatives, and has major consequences for the health sector, both during and after crises.

The recovery of health services in post-conflict and post-disaster situations is challenging. In many cases, personnel are gone and the facilities have been destroyed. In protracted crises, it can take decades for the population to regain access to basic health services. The World Health Organization (WHO) plays an important role in documenting attacks on the health sector and the consequences of such attacks.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• promote respect for and protection of health facilities and medical personnel, through continued engagement and partnerships with relevant organisations;
• work to ensure that parties to a conflict respect and protect the health sector, and promote Security Council Resolution 2286, which condemns attacks against the wounded and sick, medical personnel, health facilitates and humanitarian personnel.

Refugees and internally displaced people

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Photo: © UNFPA DRC/Junior Mayindu

The number of people who have been displaced as a consequence of conflict has increased dramatically in recent years. Close to two-thirds are displaced in their own countries, while the rest have crossed borders to other countries. A growing number of people are also being displaced as a result of climate change and natural disasters. In addition, there are large numbers of vulnerable migrants who are not recognised as refugees under the 1951 Refugee Convention. Nevertheless, they may all need humanitarian assistance and protection in line with the humanitarian imperative. Girls and women who are forcibly displaced and along migration routes are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, violence, and sexual abuse.

Norway’s efforts to ensure the protection of refugees are based primarily on its obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. The Global Compact on Refugees is a key framework for greater predictability and burden sharing with host communities. The Global Refugee Forum is the main follow-up mechanism to the Global Refugee Platform.

Unlike refugees, internally displaced people are not entitled to special international protection beyond what is set out in international human rights law and international humanitarian law. One exception is the African Union convention for the protection of internally displaced people (the Kampala Convention).29The humanitarian needs of internally displaced people are comparable to those of refugees. Norway has played a leading role in international efforts to improve the protection of internally displaced for several years, particulary in the UN. In 2019, Norway contributed to the establishment of the High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement, which focuses on durable solutions.

Most displaced people seek protection in neighbouring areas. Many host communities for displaced people are characterised by high levels of poverty. This may constrain the political will, as well as the ability, to give residence and contribute to local integration. Norway will continue to prioritise support both to displaced people and the poor and vulnerable people in their host communities. This is also important to counteracting polarisation between the displaced population and the host communities. A more comprehensive approach can contribute to increasing the chances of finding durable solutions. Norway will continue to support host countries to ensure that borders remain open for displaced people. We will work to ensure that displaced people are included in national systems and development plans, and contribute to durable solutions through international development cooperation. Norway contributes to the resettlement of refugees in close cooperation with the UNHCR, as part of our humanitarian efforts.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• maintain Norway’s engagement relating to the protection of and assistance to refugees, internally displaced people and their host communities;
• contribute to durable solutions for displaced people, including through the resettlement of refugees;
• work to ensure that vulnerable migrants have access to humanitarian aid based on their needs.

Persons with disabilities

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Photo: © ICRC/Mohammad Masoud Samimi

Persons with disabilities are entitled to special protection under international humanitarian law. Parties to armed conflicts have a special responsibility to ensure respect of and protection to persons with disabilities. Security Council Resolution 2475 (2019) is an important instrument in this regard. Nevertheless, today’s crises and conflicts are severely impacting persons with disabilities. The number of persons with disabilities is sharply increasing due to injuries caused by mines and explosives, among other things.

Humanitarian actors shall facilitate the same access to humanitarian assistance for persons with disabilities as for the general population, as well as ensure their active participation in the planning and implementation of the humanitarian response.

The special protection needs, including increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence, must be understood and addressed. There is a need for improved knowledge and figures in this regard. The dialogue with organisations representing persons with disabilities must be strengthened in humanitarian crises and in global political processes related to the protection of civilians. At the same time, there is already a recognition that the right to protection, assistance and participation of persons with disabilities must be given higher priority.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• ensure that the international framework to protect civilians from violence and abuse includes the protection and rights of persons with disabilities;
• promote adaptation for and inclusion of persons with disabilities and their representative organisations in all humanitarian efforts, in line with the recommendations from the 2022 Global Disability Summit in Oslo.

Protection against sexual and gender-based violence

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Photo: © UNOCHA/Alioune Ndiaye.

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is a widespread problem in humanitarian crises and armed conflict. Gender-based violence is often closely linked to the unequal distribution of power and the desire to exert control over individuals and groups. Girls and women are particularly vulnerable. However, boys, men and LGBTIA+persons are also affected.

When humanitarian crises or armed conflict occur and/or people are displaced, underlying inequalities and discrimination may be further exacerbated. There is often a breakdown of existing protection mechanisms. Gender-based violence, such as sexual violence, physical and psychological violence, including domestic abuse and sexual harassment, often intensifies in such circumstances.30^,31^,32 Harmful practices, such as child and forced marriage and female genital mutilation, can also be exacerbated in humanitarian crises.

Sexual violence, such as rape, sexual slavery and forced pregnancy, perpetrated by, or on behalf of the authorities in a country constitutes a human rights violation. When it is perpetrated as a part of warfare, it is also a violation of international humanitarian law.33 In many conflicts, sexual violence and abuse is used as a method of warfare to spread fear and insecurity, as well as to ‘ethnically cleanse’ or humiliate an ethnic group.

The vulnerability of individuals can be compounded by the intersectionality of their gender, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and disabilities. Young girls and young women are often subject to further marginalisation, are often overlooked, and are at increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence, resulting in serious mental and physical health problems.

Sexual and gender-based violence often leads to stigmatisation and social exclusion, undermines stability, and breaks down social structures. Children conceived as a result of rape in armed conflict, and other children who have biological parents from opposing sides of a conflict, are particularly vulnerable.

Combatting sexual and gender-based violence will remain a high priority for Norway, and we will maintain a high level of support for prevention and follow-up of survivors. Psychosocial support and access to sexual and reproductive health services will be an important component of this endeavour. Survivors of sexualised and gender-based violence have the right to participate in defining their needs and priorities. These shall guide the response.

Violence and abuse against boys and men, which often occurs in connection with detention, requires increased attention and efforts.

In addition, we will work to ensure that our partners have capacity and competence on this matter. Local, women-led organisations are important and are often the first responders. Organisations representing LGBTIA+persons and persons with disabilities shall be involved.

Norway will promote a comprehensive approach that seeks to change social norms and structures that contribute to sexual and gender-based violence.

Norway will contribute to the prevention of sexual violence in conflict by supporting the training of parties to conflict. We will work to ensure that state and non-state actors involved in the use of sexual violence as a tactic of warfare are held accountable. Sexual violence as designation criteria in the UN sanctions regimes may also be a relevant instrument.34

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• continue efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence in humanitarian crises and armed conflict;
• increase support for local, women-led organisations to strengthen their work relating to sexual and gender-based violence in humanitarian crises.

Humanitarian disarmament – protection against weapons and explosives

Photo: © NPA/Sean Sutton

Norway is working to combat the use of weapons and methods of warfare that have particularly harmful effects on civilians and civilian infrastructure. Conventional weapons such as mines and cluster munitions, as well as weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear weapons, are examples of such weapons.

High priority will be given to efforts to combat the use of weapons that continue to cause death and injury long after a conflict is over, such as mines and cluster munitions.

Norway has played an active part in the development and implementation of legally binding instruments such as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention and the Convention on Cluster Munitions. These efforts have helped to reduce the number of persons killed or injured by mines, cluster munitions or other explosive weapons during or after conflict.

We will continue our efforts to secure greater support for these conventions and for the Arms Trade Treaty. We will support the work to safeguard stockpiles of weapons and thus prevent weapons and ammunition from falling into the wrong hands during or after a conflict.

Survivors of mines and cluster munitions have played a key role in the development of this set of rules, and it is important that their organisations are included. Gender is highly significant, both in terms of understanding humanitarian consequences and in strategies and operational work on clearance and reconstruction. Norway will continue to prioritise these aspects of humanitarian disarmament.

Norway will continue to defend and promote international humanitarian law and work to ensure increased accession to the disarmament conventions. We will contribute to strengthening legal framework and good practices. We will lead the way in processes and discussions on the regulation of the use of new and existing weapons, such as autonomous weapon systems, and the humanitarian consequences of their use, as well as the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• take a leading role in international efforts to combat the use of weapons that have unacceptable humanitarian consequences and support efforts to clear mines and other explosives during and after conflicts.

Urban warfare

Photo: © UNICEF/UNI484041/Filippov Ukraine, 2022

Increasingly more people live in densely populated areas. During crisis and conflict, even more people turn to cities, to access vital services. Warfare and the large-scale use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas result in increased and changed needs for protection. When explosive weapons are used in cities, an average of nine out of ten casualties are civilians.35The destruction of civilian infrastructure causes immense suffering, disease, and death, and it deprives the population of their livelihoods. These consequences increase over time as conflicts persist and infrastructure is not rebuilt.

Norway works to ensure compliance with the obligation to protect civilians under international humanitarian law. We will also draw attention to the provisions of international law that apply specifically to parties to armed conflict when conducting military operations in urban areas. The Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (the EWIPA Declaration) is an important instrument in this regard.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• work to ensure better protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure against the consequences of urban warfare, and promote the increased endorsement and implementation of the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (the EWIPA Declaration).

6.2 Securing vital services and infrastructure

Humanitarian crises often involve large-scale destruction of essential infrastructure and services that are of vital importance to the lives and health of the population. People lose their homes, their livelihoods and access to vital services. This contributes to the spread and worsening of disease. It also leads to increased violence, risk of abuse, gender discrimination and other violations of fundamental rights. Affected populations often put themselves at great risk when attempting to meet basic needs such as shelter, food, water, fuel, and health services.

While working to provide access to essential services, humanitarian actors must also ensure the safety and dignity of crisis-affected people and minimise unintended adverse consequences of their actions.

Norway will, where appropriate and feasible, contribute to early recovery and sustainable solutions in protracted humanitarian crises. At the same time, early recovery can be challenging politically and in terms of security. It can face resistance if the recovery favours or contributes to supporting disputed authorities or other parties to a conflict. There is also a risk that the infrastructure will be destroyed yet again.

Infrastructure and basic services are the responsibility of the authorities. However, there may be good reasons why humanitarian organisations support or assume such tasks for shorter periods of time. Their efforts can help to prevent systems from collapsing. Nevertheless, it is not desirable that humanitarian organisations provide such services for extended periods of time. A comprehensive approach is key in this regard. Development actors should be involved at an early stage and can play an important role in building robust systems and solutions that can withstand ongoing and future crises.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• contribute to protecting and restoring critical infrastructure, shelter, and basic services, both during and after natural disasters and armed conflicts.

Water and sanitation services

Photo: © Norwegian Red Cross/Olav A. Saltbones

Good solutions for access to water and sanitation saves lives and alleviates suffering. The disruption of such infrastructure has enormous humanitarian consequences.

Humanitarian organisations must often resort to expensive and unsustainable solutions to ensure supplies during the acute phase of a crisis. Examples include water trucking, and temporary sanitation solutions, such as latrines. Over time, these solutions are far more expensive, more harmful to the environment and less efficient than repairing existing systems. A number of organisations and donors are contributing to a shift in the response towards more sustainable solutions. Norway will support these efforts. An example is the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s work on stabilising and repairing large water systems in Syria.36

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• support humanitarian organisations in their efforts to ensure water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions in humanitarian disasters and crises.

Access to energy in crises

There is a growing realisation of the importance of access to clean energy for crisis-affected people. Lack of access to energy in humanitarian crises can pose an acute threat to life and health. Energy is required to run healthcare services and to meet basic needs such as cooking, lighting, heating, and communications with the outside world. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen efforts to increase energy access in both sudden-onset and protracted humanitarian crises.

In recent years, Norway has invested considerably in green energy solutions in the humanitarian sector, and we will continue this effort. Renewable energy solutions have numerous environmental benefits and ensure greater operational safety and better protection in conflict zones. We will fund risk reduction measures and projects that utilise innovative business models which can increase access to clean energy for people affected by crises.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• continue efforts to increase access to clean, affordable and reliable energy for displaced and crisis-affected people, both in sudden-onset and protracted humanitarian crises.

Health services in humanitarian crises

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Photo: © Norwegian Red Cross/Olav A. Saltbones

Support for lifesaving and basic health services is a key component of all humanitarian efforts. This includes medicines, first aid, surgery, vaccines, child and maternal health interventions, responses to waterborne and airborne diseases, sexual and reproductive health services, health services for persons with disabilities and for people with chronic and noncommunicable diseases, as well as mental health services and psychosocial support. In addition, there is a growing need for services for people with chronic diseases.

The sharp increase in noncommunicable diseases also requires adjustment on the part of humanitarian actors to be able to respond to the prevailing clinical symptoms. The treatment of noncommunicable diseases involves special challenges in humanitarian crises, as instability and weakened health systems impede access to health services.

Women and young girls face greater risks during childbirth, and there are many more unwanted pregnancies in crises. It may be difficult for menstruating women to obtain sanitary products. Women who are pregnant, giving birth and breastfeeding require special care. Norway will give high priority to measures that promote sexual and reproductive health services in humanitarian crises, and health services for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, regardless of their gender.

People in crises are at increased risk of trauma. It is important that survivors can receive appropriate mental health services and psychosocial support. This is a neglected service in humanitarian crises which should receive greater attention and resources.

In sudden-onset crises, lack of access and capacity in the local health services may trigger a need for temporary and mobile solutions. Norway will continue to support national and international preparedness mechanisms for rapid response, both in terms of equipment and personnel. However, it is important to consider the possibility of utilising and strengthening local infrastructure and personnel, rather than flying in field hospitals and personnel. No one can respond more rapidly to a public health crisis than those who are already on the ground.

Good national health systems are the best preparedness against public health crises. Investments in vaccines, hygiene, drinking water and proper nutrition also reduce the incidence of infectious diseases and strengthen resistance. This must, primarily, be addressed through long-term development assistance. Norway will promote comprehensive health efforts to develop robust health systems in crises. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of development actors utilising existing humanitarian coordination mechanisms to ensure the best possible response in humanitarian situations.

The protection of the health sector against attacks in armed conflicts is a precondition for safe access to health services, cf. section 6.1.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• provide support for lifesaving and basic health services in connection with humanitarian efforts;
• support work relating to sexual and reproductive health in crisis situations;
• work to strengthen mental health services and psychosocial support.

Education in crisis and armed conflict

Norway will continue to champion the right to education in crisis and conflict situations. Girls, children with disabilities and displaced people are particularly prioritised in this effort. This involves both protecting educational institutions against military use and attacks (see section 6.1) and safeguarding the provision of high-quality education as part of humanitarian response and comprehensive efforts.

Education is lifesaving in humanitarian situations and has both an immediate and long-term positive effect for individuals and their communities. Education is highly sought-after by children and young people affected by crisis and their families. Being in school offers protection and contributes to a sense of normality in everyday life. Schools can also be used to provide children with nutrition programmes, health services and sexual education. Gaps in education can make it difficult for adults to obtain vocational qualifications, and thereby be able to support themselves and their families.

224 million school-age children are growing up in crisis and conflict-affected areas. More than half lack basic reading and math skills. 72 million children are entirely without access to education.37 The climate crisis is also contributing to keeping children out of school. Since 2020, 62 million children have had their education disrupted by climate shocks.38

Education has become a more integral and prioritised component of humanitarian response. This is especially the case in protracted crises and refugee situations. Increased coordination and support from development actors is necessary to safeguard the provision of education and develop local capacity. The development of remote learning solutions has also improved access in difficult security situations. Norway supports UNESCO’s work on a Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education, which would be of great importance to displaced youth.

Humanitarian funding for education measures should not be continued when it is possible to transfer responsibility to national authorities or development actors.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• continue to focus on education for children and youth in crisis and conflict.

6.3 Increased efforts to end hunger and promote food security

The world is on the brink of a global hunger crisis. Record numbers of people are experiencing hunger, malnutrition, and food shortage, even though UN Member States have agreed to achieve zero hunger by 2030. The World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that over 300 million people in 72 countries are affected by hunger crises in 2024 (IPC 3+).39

A major cause of the hunger crisis is the persistent and growing number of armed conflicts. In situations of armed conflict, cultivated land and necessary infrastructure for storage, transport and processing are destroyed and supply chains are disrupted. In Africa, more than 80 per cent of people affected by hunger and food shortage live in countries or areas affected by conflict.40 Other causes include climate change and extreme weather events, supply chain volatility, and higher input costs in food production. Food shortages can have major and lasting negative impacts on health, may lead to social and political unrest, flight and displacement.

Emergency assistance will remain a key instrument in addressing acute hunger crises. Food and water distribution, school meal programmes or cash transfers are vital when crises have erupted.

At the same time, Norway will promote increased food security.41 Preparedness mechanisms and early warning, to ensure anticipatory action, where possible, will also be important. Disaster risk reduction and enhanced resilience avert hunger crises and free up resources that can be used to reach more people in an acute response.

A lack of infrastructure and resources often weakens markets and prevents distribution between different geographical areas. Humanitarian efforts must support local food production and local suppliers where possible. Cash is often the most effective form of aid, helping to prevent local food markets from collapsing. In other circumstances, the distribution of basic goods, such as food, may be necessary.

Items distributed must be adapted to local needs, be culturally acceptable and contribute to improving the nutritional situation. To ensure that emergency aid reaches the hunger-affected with the greatest needs, it is of particular importance to ensure a gender-sensitive and inclusive programming. Climate and environmental considerations must also be taken into account in humanitarian efforts to combat hunger.

Famine (IPC 5) occurs almost exclusively in areas of armed conflict. This occurs where humanitarian actors are prevented from gaining safe and adequate access, and because some parties to conflicts use starvation as a method of warfare, in violation of international humanitarian law. To avert such disasters, Norway will escalate its efforts for safe access, and respect for international humanitarian law.

Both the UN and other humanitarian organisations rely on the WFPs logistics, and communication services, as well as the WFP-managed UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) which enables transport of food and vital aid to remote areas. Norway will prioritise support for UNHAS.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• strengthen our efforts in hunger crises;
• actively work to prevent hunger in areas of armed conflict;
• contribute to preventing hunger crises and reducing future vulnerabilities, including through support for systems for preparedness, early warning, and anticipatory action.

6.4 Humanitarian consequences of climate change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that between 3.3 and 3.6 billion people live in contexts that are highly vulnerable to climate change.42 The poorest areas of the world will be most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate and environmental change43. More frequent natural disasters and more extreme weather events have several immediate humanitarian consequences and often pose an acute threat to life and health. Climate and environmental degradation create new and aggravate existing humanitarian crises. Such degradation can contribute to heightened tension, increased violence, exacerbate ongoing conflicts and force more people to flee their homes.

The humanitarian consequences of climate change will grow as global warming increases. Water and food shortages will become an increasing problem. Heightened efforts are, therefore, required to address both the immediate and future humanitarian consequences of climate change. Prevention, preparedness and adaptation are key to limiting the scale of humanitarian crises.

Natural disasters exacerbated by climate change, such as droughts, floods and wildfires are often recurring and predictable. Humanitarian efforts through the WFP, the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the IFRC and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) are increasingly directed to preparedness programmes and early warning based anticipatory action.

At the same time, climate-related humanitarian crises are increasingly unpredictable. Therefore, flexible funding that can be made available quickly is of increasing importance.

Climate change adaptation is a prioritised area in the Norwegian Government’s development policy. The Strategy for climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and the fight against hunger forms the basis of Norway’s tripling of its climate finance by 2026. The climate change adaptation strategy prioritises prevention of climate-related humanitarian crises. It comprises the thematic areas of early warning systems and climate services, nature-based solutions, climate-resilient food production, infrastructure, and innovative financing mechanisms.

Climate financing only reaches to a limited degree the most vulnerable communities and displaced people. This is particularly the case in areas affected by armed conflict. Funding mechanisms for loss and damage, including the new Loss and Damage Fund established at COP28, must target particularly vulnerable developing countries.

Good quality data related to weather, climate and risk must be available at the local level. Local preparedness and local ownership of climate change adaptation efforts are becoming increasingly important considering growing humanitarian needs.44

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• support early warning systems and anticipatory action to reduce the scale of humanitarian crises;
• advocate in favour of climate financing benefitting, more effectively, the most vulnerable people and the areas most exposed to the adverse impacts of climate change;
• ensure that Norwegian-funded climate adaptation measures contribute to preventing humanitarian crises and reducing humanitarian needs.

Chapter 7 Humanitarian diplomacy, partnerships and instruments

7.1 Humanitarian diplomacy

Humanitarian diplomacy is how we advocate to uphold people’s rights, dignity and needs in humanitarian crises, and promote the protection of civilians in armed conflict. To achieve results, we need to support actors that contribute to these objectives, and we, ourselves, need to be willing to talk to everyone, including authoritarian regimes and de facto authorities. We must maintain long-term and systematic engagement with parties to armed conflict.

Norway shall have a clear and recognisable voice for the protection of civilians in armed conflict. We will remind the parties of their obligations and political responsibilities under international law, as well as identify and support practical measures to ensure the protection of civilians. We will also call out violations of international law and, where possible, contribute to strengthening means of holding non-compliant parties accountable. Norway will strengthen its role in upholding and further developing international law. Norway will support the specific mandate and role of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to uphold and further develop international humanitarian law. In some areas, we will assume leadership responsibility for normative work, both within and outside the UN system. This involves active diplomacy internationally and at the country level.

In some conflict situations, Norway may have particular advantages that can be actively harnessed to enhance humanitarian access. Norway will work to depoliticise humanitarian action and to ensure respect for humanitarian principles.

Norway will promote rapid, safe, and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid for people in need. In particular, Norway will take a leading role in ensuring that parties to armed conflicts fulfil their obligations under international humanitarian law to allow and facilitate humanitarian action based on humanitarian principles. We will support humanitarian actors that negotiate access with authorities and armed groups. Issues around access are often highly politicised and involve various forms of risk.

Norway will take a leading role in promoting safety for humanitarian actors, with minimal bureaucratic impediments and without corruption. We will also work to improve the efficiency and coordination of the system for global humanitarian efforts. To maximise the effectiveness of humanitarian response, we need to view the various thematic areas and instruments in connection and work closely with relevant partners. This includes working to strengthen the support for and legitimacy of humanitarian efforts and organisations operating in crisis-affected areas.

Humanitarian diplomacy will also be employed to prevent and curb the escalation of humanitarian crises. Conflict resolution involves both peace and security policy and requires coordinated diplomatic efforts. It is important that humanitarian considerations, and the interests and needs of the affected population are heard and taken into account in relevant political processes, particularly in peace and reconciliation efforts.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• put forth initiatives that contribute to reducing violence and risk for people affected by armed conflict and other humanitarian crises, and contribute to ensuring that parties to armed conflict comply with international humanitarian law;
• promote rapid, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access in crises and armed conflicts, in cooperation with humanitarian partners;
• help to ensure that selected partners develop the necessary competence and capacity to negotiate humanitarian access;
• promote respect for humanitarian principles and freedom of action for humanitarian actors working in accordance with these principles;
• ensure that humanitarian issues are considered in relevant political processes, particularly in peace and reconciliation efforts, and strengthen the links between humanitarian diplomacy and conflict resolution.

7.2 Partnerships

The main channels for translating Norway’s humanitarian priorities into action are the UN, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and Norwegian humanitarian organisations. The way in which we support and cooperate with our partners is decisive for our ability to achieve results – both at the operational, the policy and the normative levels.

Norway chooses partners that work in line with the humanitarian principles and internationally established standards for humanitarian action.45 Humanitarian action must be rights-based. Women’s rights and needs must be integrated into all stages of humanitarian response, from needs assessment and planning to implementation and reporting. All partners are required to have guidelines and whistleblowing mechanisms in place to prevent violence and abuse by humanitarian aid workers and to prevent sexual harassment. The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) have introduced a policy of zero tolerance for inaction against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH), and require grant recipients to prevent, detect and respond to SEAH in line with international recommendations.46 Similarly, they are required to have guidelines and warning mechanisms to prevent, uncover and respond to abuse and corruption. It is also a requirement that grant recipients have systems and procedures in place to ensure good use of resources and funds.

The four cross-cutting issues of human rights, women’s rights and gender equality, climate and environment and anti-corruption must also be considered in relation to all humanitarian action.

Geographical presence and insight into the context, as well as relevant expertise for each specific crisis will be important in the selection of partners. This helps ensure access in challenging areas and to direct efforts towards the most vulnerable groups. Where Norway’s diplomatic presence is limited by budget constraints and safety considerations, dialogue with local partners becomes more difficult but even more necessary.

Local actors have knowledge of the context and local power dynamics, knowledge of needs, and often unique access to and legitimacy within the population, and they are the first to respond when a crisis occurs. Strengthening local and national actors in crisis situations is, therefore, an investment in sustainable national preparedness and may build institutions in a more long-term, societal perspective.

Norway is committed to promoting a more locally led response. In the Grand Bargain Declaration, the goal is for 25 per cent of all humanitarian funding to go as directly as possible to local actors. This is challenging because, as donors, we do not have the capacity to follow up large numbers of smaller grants. The fact that local organisations are socially and politically rooted in the society may also raise questions about their ability to operate in line with the humanitarian principles.

Donors often choose to support international humanitarian organisations they know well, that have international responsibilities and mandates, and have the ability to deliver at scale. The UN humanitarian Country-based Pooled Funds, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and Norwegian and international humanitarian organisations are important channels for supporting local organisations. Local decision-making and involvement in the implementation of humanitarian efforts are important. Partnerships should be equitable and aim to shift power and resources away from international organisations and towards local actors.

Cooperation with Norwegian organisations is an important element of Norway’s humanitarian efforts. Close cooperation, combined with a clear division of roles between Norwegian authorities and the organisations concerned, has impacted positively the development of both Norwegian and international humanitarian policy. It has also helped Norwegian organisations play a leading role internationally in several areas.

This cooperation was further developed upon entering into strategic partnerships with Norwegian organisations for the period 2020–2024. This type of partnership received a positive assessment in the 2022 Mid-Term Review. Therefore, there will be a new call for strategic partnerships and a continuation of the mechanism. We will also consider entering into agreements with other partners offering a particular geographical or thematic expertise.

Our strategic partners will be chosen through an open process based on clear criteria. These will include compliance with the humanitarian principles, response capacity, humanitarian access, commitment to strengthening locally led response and integration of the gender perspective into all stages of humanitarian response. The Strategic partnerships provide the organisations with increased predictability and better opportunities to respond rapidly and flexibly to crises.

An important element of this cooperation will be the dialogue on risk and results. It is crucial that donors are willing to take political and financial risks to respond to the greatest needs in the hardest-hit areas, and that they are realistic about what can be achieved. At the same time, the safety of the actors implementing the response must be ensured. In the context of the Grand Bargain, the ICRC, the Netherlands, and InterAction have prepared a Risk Sharing Framework47. The purpose of this framework is to have a more comprehensive and predictable approach to risk between the various actors in humanitarian response.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• choose partners that work in line with the humanitarian principles and internationally established standards for humanitarian work;
• emphasise equitable partnerships where local organisations have a genuine say in the planning and implementation of humanitarian efforts;
• identify measures for increased risk sharing with partners.

7.3 Good Humanitarian Donorship

Norway will promote more effective and strategic international financing of humanitarian action, including improved financing to anticipatory action.

The objectives and commitments emanating from Good Humanitarian Donorship48 and the Grand Bargain underpin Norway’s humanitarian work, including the aim to provide flexible and multi-year funding to our humanitarian partners and encourage other donors to do the same. This is crucial to make humanitarian action more effective and to improve coordination with long-term development efforts. It is also necessary to ensure increased capacity and effectiveness of humanitarian organisations in response to acute humanitarian situations and changing needs.

Strengthening the UN’s humanitarian efforts is an important component of Norway’s UN policy. The way Norway and other donors support and finance the UN has a major effect on the results that can be achieved. UN Member States have committed to allocating a greater share of the funding as core contributions or to pooled funding intended to support cooperation. The ongoing reform of the UN is the most comprehensive and binding change in ways of working for more comprehensive efforts that we have seen in the UN system. Norway will follow up on the UN reform, to encourage Member States to contribute sufficient funding, and, through participation in the boards and through our diplomatic missions, ensure that the UN itself adheres to its own reform commitments.

Support to funds that promote cooperation, including the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), contributes to ensuring rapid, effective, and coordinated response in sudden-onset and underfunded humanitarian crises. They also contribute to forecast-based efforts and anticipatory action. The UN Country-based Pooled Funds will continue to be important channels for Norway’s funding, to strengthen locally led humanitarian response.

As mentioned above, Norway has increased the number of multi-year agreements with humanitarian partners in recent years. A balance must be achieved between the use of multi-year agreements and the need to have sufficient funding available throughout the year to be able to respond in the event of sudden onset or escalations of humanitarian crises. All multi-year agreements are subject to the approval of the Storting (Norwegian Parliament).

An overarching policy goal for Norway is to improve, simplify and streamline grant management. This also applies to our cooperation with the UN.

The Norwegian Government will

• contribute and promote rapid, flexible, and predictable international financing in humanitarian crises, with an emphasis on contributions to humanitarian funds and organisations;
• play a part in strengthening local and national capacity to respond to humanitarian crises, among others through relevant fund mechanisms;
• view the various budget lines as a coherent whole, to ensure that they complement each other and contribute to reducing vulnerability and humanitarian needs over time.

7.4 Humanitarian innovation

The term humanitarian innovation refers to new products, forms of cooperation, business models, technology, services, solutions, or sources of financing that are measurably better than existing ones. The innovation may lead to improved effectiveness or quality. The solutions may be more sustainable and environmentally friendly or have other positive ripple effects. Humanitarian innovations save lives, alleviate suffering and uphold human dignity. Innovation and innovative solutions may also reduce costs, and thus help to reduce the humanitarian funding gap.

The development and use of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, satellite imagery, data analytics and warning systems, are key aspects of humanitarian innovation. These technologies can offer new methods for understanding and responding to crises, optimising resource distribution and improving decision-making in humanitarian operations. Artificial intelligence is already offering solutions that improve the efficiency of humanitarian response and will increasingly be utilised in the future. Solutions can be developed for early warning and emergency preparedness, analyses and rapid information to and interaction with the affected population.

However, technological innovations and the use of artificial intelligence also present new challenges related to ethics, disinformation, data protection, accountability, and digital security. We will support initiatives and innovative measures that enhance protection against cyber threats in humanitarian contexts, including the protection of personal data, and help to ensure that the humanitarian sector’s specific concerns are considered in the development of relevant legislation and standard. Capacity building and research will be key, both to adopt and develop solutions, and to address these challenges.

One weakness of the innovation work in the humanitarian sector is the fact that affected populations are rarely involved. Therefore, cross-sector innovation partnerships must be developed that actively involve end-users and develop solutions that better meet the affected population’s needs. The gender perspective must be included in these efforts as well.

Humanitarian innovation is also slowed by short-term financing, limited risk tolerance, and weak links between the humanitarian and business sector. Norway will be a strategic partner for strengthened innovation efforts in the humanitarian sector, by sharing risks with our partners, and by facilitating innovation arenas and networks.

There is a need to develop skills and a culture of innovation in the humanitarian sector, and promote cooperation on innovation, both between humanitarian organisations and between the humanitarian sector and the business sector. We will continue our commitment to and leadership in humanitarian innovation, and contribute to increased openness, sharing and collaborative learning. Through the continuation of the Humanitarian Innovation Programme (HIP Norway) and other innovation investments, the Government will contribute to the establishment of innovation partnerships between humanitarian organisations, academia, and private actors.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• support innovative measures, especially in the areas of protection, combatting hunger and humanitarian consequences of climate change;
• continue the Humanitarian Innovation Programme (HIP Norway).

7.5 Green and sustainable humanitarian response

Awareness of environmental consequences and sustainability considerations in humanitarian efforts must be increased. Humanitarian disasters and humanitarian response put pressure on the environment and natural resources; e.g. displaced people are often dependent on wood or charcoal for cooking. This can result in conflicts over resources with the local population and forest degradation in areas around camps for displaced people. Planning humanitarian operations from a short-term perspective may also result in costly and more polluting solutions, such as the use of diesel generators. Energy access in humanitarian crises is also discussed in section 6.2.

Norway will work to ensure that environmental and climate-related considerations are better safeguarded and integrated into all stages of the humanitarian response. Through cooperation with local actors, we will promote greater use of new technologies and innovation, particularly in the field of environmentally sound energy solutions.

Green humanitarian response imposes requirements for energy efficiency, maintenance needs, waste management and emissions. Local procurement and production of emergency aid products reduce emissions related to logistics. Local waste management must be kept in mind when purchasing technological solutions that may contain chemicals, such as phones and solar cells. Models of circular economy should be developed for the handling of plastic products and packaging materials. Repairability, maintenance and waste management should be emphasised when purchasing goods.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• require our partners to choose sustainable, renewable, repairable, and more environmentally friendly solutions for their humanitarian operations.

7.6 Innovative financing and the role of the private sector

Innovative financing

Innovative financing means financing mechanisms and models designed to address development challenges and humanitarian tasks that are not adequately met by traditional funding sources or that can be solved more efficiently.

Many innovative financing mechanisms are intended to attract fresh funding, e.g. from the private sector, and include a variety of models and approaches, such as insurance-based mechanisms for natural disaster management, anticipatory financing, various forms of public-private financing and risk-sharing with the private sector through bonds. Such mechanisms should be need-driven, and to an even greater extent developed in cooperation with local communities, which in most cases are the first responders when a crisis occurs. New financing mechanisms may also encourage the use of traditional aid as a catalyst to mobilise other and larger capital flows. The Norwegian Government will support this work and continuously assess investments in new and innovative financing mechanisms.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• support innovative financing models which have a documented effect;
• strengthen dialogue at the political level with potential new donors, the private sector, and supporters of the humanitarian system.

The role of the private sector

The private sector plays an important role in humanitarian efforts, but often as a supplier rather than a partner. Closer partnerships and joint development of solutions will better meet humanitarian needs than traditional procurement alone. The business sector can contribute knowledge and technologies which others do not have.

The humanitarian sector is perceived as difficult to enter by the business community. The former is characterised by time-consuming and complex procurement processes and cumbersome bureaucracy. The private sector may also find that sanctions and counter-terrorism legislation make it difficult to supply goods and services for use in certain country situations. To foster partnerships and better harness private sector competence, structural efforts must be made to enable private actors to deliver suitable humanitarian solutions. It is also important to bear in mind the private sector and its role as supplier of goods and services, in the design of humanitarian exceptions in sanctions regimes and counter-terrorism efforts.

We will help further develop platforms and collaborations which facilitate increased investments and interactions with the private sector.

The efforts of the local business sector are important both during and after crises. Humanitarian actors should seek to purchase goods and services locally, whenever appropriate. However, in countries and regions affected by crisis, there may be a limited number of businesses that offer the required goods or services, and corruption may also be a widespread problem. Humanitarian organisations must, therefore, have a sound understanding of local economic conditions and markets.

Where Norwegian companies have special expertise, they may offer technology and innovation that will make the humanitarian response more effective and sustainable.

The Norwegian Governmentwill

• continue efforts to increase cooperation between the private sector and humanitarian actors and encourage involvement of the local business sector in humanitarian crises.