Defending Humanitarian Principles: A Collective Responsibility
by Dr Jamie Munn, Executive Director, ICVA
In an era of growing geopolitical tensions, humanitarian action faces increasing pressure to align with political agendas. The fundamental principles that have guided humanitarian response for decades – humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence – are under threat. Without a firm defense of these principles, the ability of humanitarian actors to access and assist those in need is at risk. ICVA stands at the forefront of this defense, ensuring that NGOs remain guided by needs, not politics.
The Danger of Politicised Aid
Humanitarian assistance must remain independent from political interests to maintain trust, security, and access to affected populations. When aid is perceived as aligned with political or military objectives, several risks emerge:
Restricted Access: Parties to conflict may deny humanitarian access, viewing aid as a tool of foreign intervention.
Increased Targeting of Humanitarian Workers: Neutrality is a protective shield; without it, humanitarians become targets.
Manipulation of Aid: Governments or armed groups may weaponise aid, granting or withholding it to punish or reward populations.
Erosion of International Humanitarian Law (IHL): If neutrality and impartiality are disregarded, humanitarian actors lose their legal protections, setting a dangerous precedent.
The consequences are clear: if humanitarian organisations allow political interference to dictate aid distribution, the most vulnerable will be left behind.
The Soft Power Debate: A Justification for Compromise?
Some argue that humanitarian aid has always been used as an instrument of soft power by states to advance their national interests. While it is true that governments have sometimes sought to leverage aid for diplomatic or strategic purposes, this does not mean humanitarian actors must accept it. On the contrary, principled humanitarian actors have consistently resisted such instrumentalisation.
The distinction must be made: humanitarian NGOs, unlike state-funded aid programs, operate based on needs alone. Many organisations, including ICVA’s members, actively challenge donor-driven conditionalities, refuse to be co-opted into political agendas, and advocate for depoliticised funding mechanisms. The risk of normalising the political use of aid is too great; it would justify the denial of assistance to certain populations based on political alignment and fundamentally alter the humanitarian sector’s legitimacy.
The 2025 Reality: USAID Shuttering and the Humanitarian Fallout
In 2025, the decision by the new U.S. administration to shutter USAID has sent shockwaves across the humanitarian sector. As one of the largest donors to humanitarian efforts globally, the sudden withdrawal of USAID funding jeopardises countless programs supporting vulnerable populations. This decision further reinforces the need for principled, independent humanitarian funding that is not subject to political shifts. The closure of USAID sets a troubling precedent where humanitarian financing can be dictated by political ideologies rather than global humanitarian needs.
The impact of this closure includes:
Severe Funding Gaps: Many NGOs that relied on USAID funding now face immediate program closures, leaving critical humanitarian needs unmet.
Reduced Humanitarian Access: Without sufficient funding, organisations cannot sustain operations in crisis-affected regions, further restricting assistance.
Increased Political Interference: The absence of one of the largest donors enables other states and non-traditional actors to exert greater influence over humanitarian programming, eroding neutrality and independence.
Disruption to Field Coordination: USAID funding has historically supported coordination mechanisms led by OCHA and NGOs, ensuring effective humanitarian responses. The loss of this support undermines the ability to coordinate life-saving assistance, leading to duplication, inefficiencies, and gaps in service delivery.
This development makes ICVA’s advocacy more crucial than ever. ICVA is actively working with partners to push for diversified, principled funding streams that safeguard humanitarian action from political unpredictability.
ICVA’s Role in Defending Humanitarian Principles
ICVA plays a critical role in uniting NGOs to collectively uphold and defend the humanitarian principles that ensure effective, independent humanitarian action. Through its advocacy, policy engagement, and support to humanitarian actors, ICVA:
Holds donors and governments accountable when aid is politicised or conditioned.
Strengthens NGO voices in multilateral forums to push for principled humanitarian financing and access.
Provides analysis and guidance on how NGOs can navigate political pressures while maintaining their independence.
Creates spaces for dialogue between NGOs, UN agencies, and states to ensure humanitarian aid remains focused on needs, not geopolitical interests.
ICVA’s work is vital in ensuring humanitarian NGOs are not left to face these pressures alone. By rallying collective action, ICVA strengthens the sector’s ability to push back against attempts to erode the neutrality and impartiality of humanitarian assistance.
What’s at Stake?
The failure to defend humanitarian principles would have profound consequences:
Aid would become a political tool rather than a lifeline for those in need.
Humanitarian actors would be seen as partisan, leading to diminished trust and greater security risks.
Governments and armed groups would justify denying assistance based on political motives.
The fundamental moral and legal foundations of humanitarian action would be undermined.
Now, more than ever, humanitarian actors must stand firm. ICVA remains committed to ensuring that NGOs operate according to their core values, defending a humanitarian system that serves people based on need—not political agendas. Together, we must resist the erosion of our principles, because if they are lost, so too is our ability to save lives.
90 Day Suspension Order Impact Study & Resources: ICVA has conducted a survey to assess the impact of the U.S. funding suspension on humanitarian action. The preliminary survey findings, along with country level impact snapshots, resources, and updates, are available on ICVA’s new online resource. The webpage includes ICVA’s Executive Director’s statements on the suspension, as well as a collection of NGO statements, news and analysis, which continue to be regularly updated.
Scaling up in Syria: Opportunities, Potential Pitfalls & Mitigation Measures: Drawing from learnings from previous Scale-ups and consultations with ICVA members and NGO networks, ICVA’s latest paper identifies opportunities and potential pitfalls to the third IASC Systemwide Scale-up in Syria. It also proposes mitigation measures to ensure a principled and effective response and early recovery for Syria.
Strengthened Partnerships for Principled & Effective Humanitarian Action – Principles of Partnership Workshops:The report summarises the key findings and recommendations from four regional workshops organised by ICVA throughout 2023 and 2024, with support from the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA). These workshops convened International NGOs (INGOs), Local and National NGOs (L/NNGOs), donors, and UN actors to review the Principles of Partnership. They also provided a platform to reflect on good practices, address challenges, and explore potential solutions for their implementation.
Humanitarian Takeaways: The next issue that will be out in March will focus on staff well-being at humanitarian organisations. Please share any relevant articles and reports to goda.milasiute@chaberlin.org
The Forced Migration Working Group is exploring the impact of the US stop work orders and executive orders on displaced populations globally, particularly around lifesaving humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable. ICVA’s Forced Displacement team has also began setting in place planning for UNHCR’s Regional Consultations with NGOs which in 2025 will focus on International Protection and Access to Asylum.
Informal dialogue between NGOs and UNHCR Regional Bureau for Europe on the European Union Pact on Asylum and Migration (2December 2024)
In light of the significant policy developments in the EU’s approach to migration and asylum, this dialogue provided a platform to discuss key elements of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylumand its implications, as well as identify joint opportunities for engagement.
The meeting was moderated by ICVA and featured a briefing from UNHCR. The briefing was followed by an open discussion with participating NGOs, offering an informal setting to share perspectives on the potential impacts on refugees, migrants, and the communities working to support them. A key objective was to explore how NGOs can collectively engage with both UNHCR and EU policymakers moving forward, and to set in place concrete and actionable next steps.
Informal Dialogue between NGOs and UNHCR’s Evaluation Office(16 December 2024)
This meeting was held for NGOs to discuss withUNHCR’s Evaluation Office complementary activities and to identify synergies for future collaboration. It was also an opportunity for NGOs to hear more on UNHCR’s Evaluation Workplan 2024-25 (Mid-year update) and plans in place for 2026 onwards.
In recognition of the fundamental role that NGOs play across Europe in supporting forcibly displaced and stateless persons to become self-reliant and access decent work opportunities, UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for Europe and ICVA co-convened this online discussion. UNHCR outlined theRefugee Employment Platformand how NGOs in Europe can engage with the Platform’s extension to other countries. There followed two presentations by NGOs from Finland and Romania who highlighted how the Platform works in practice.
Meaningful Refugee Participation at the Global Refugee Forum
The Global Refugee Forum Blog Series, an initiative by InterAction and ICVA, highlights NGO efforts in the GRF process and maintains momentum on pledge implementation. Covering topics such as refugee participation, MHPSS, economic inclusion, and statelessness, the series promotes transparency and accountability ahead of the 2025 high-level meetings. The latest blog on meaningful refugee participation written by RSEAT explores meaningful refugee participation, noting increased representation at the 2023 GRF, while addressing ongoing barriers like restrictive travel policies and unequal power structures.
The Humanitarian Finance team have been leading on collating inputs on the IMpact of the US Fundign Suspension, while continuing their work promoting access to quality funding, improving risk management and supporting best practices in the pooled funds.
1. Access to Quality Funding – Bilateral and Multilateral Partnerships
Online Webinar – Equitable Partnerships: ‘Your Questions, Answered: Challenges and Best Practices in the UNICEF-NGO Partnership Cycle?’ (3 December 2024)
As a follow-up to the April 2024 Global UNICEF-NGO Consultations, UNICEF and ICVA co-hosted a webinar to advance equitable partnerships with NGO partners. The session featured an overview of UNICEF’s partnership strategy, discussions on challenges, and showcasing good practices. Participants were introduced to the draft UNICEF CSO-Facing Handbook, with partners invited to provide input through ICVA. Key insights from the session will inform the final version of the CSO-Facing Handbook, supporting stronger and more equitable partnerships.
Due Diligence Community of Practice (CoP) Launch Event (19 February 2025) Online
Hosted by ICVA and co-hosted by Save the Children UK, the Due Diligence CoP was established in 2024 by a group of international and local NGOs from across the sector to coordinate efforts, foster collaboration, share knowledge, and simplify due diligence processes in the humanitarian sector. The launch event will feature contributions from the Somali NGO Consortium, Humanitarian NGO Platform in Ukraine, ECHO, and ICVA. Check more information in the concept note. Register hereby 14 February.
2. Risk Management, Counterterrorism Measures and Sanctions
ODI Humanitarian Policy Group, Closed-door Dialogue: Financial Access Challenges specific to Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs), Notably Local and Faith-based Organisations (4 December 2024)
The fourth international dialogue on ‘Financial Access Challenges for Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs)’ held in December highlighted the financial barriers faced by smaller, local NPOs due to downstream de-risking. Participants shared best practices and explored solutions to support compliance and financial access. ICVA presented preliminary findings from the ‘Survey on Financial Barriers and Opportunities for Humanitarian Action Under Sanctions,’ conducted in collaboration with VOICE, InterAction, Human Security Collective, and Charity & Security Network. Key insights included the need for clearer communication on sanctions policies, stronger engagement with financial institutions, innovative financial solutions, and structured platforms for knowledge-sharing.
Inter-Regional Workshop on Risk-Sharing in Humanitarian Partnerships ( 13 – 14 December 2024) Bangkok
ICVA, with support from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, organised a two-day inter-regional workshop to strengthen NGO risk-sharing practices with donors and partners. The workshop addressed risk identification, best practices, and improved dynamics in partnerships. Findings from a pre-workshop survey and ongoing studies guided discussions. Held after the Regional Humanitarian Partnership Week in Bangkok, participants included NGOs from Asia, East Africa, and MENA, as well as donors and partners. Key sessions focused on unpacking risks, sharing perceptions, identifying solutions, and planning actionable strategies for risk sharing.
3. Pooled Funds
Country-Based Pooled Funds (CBPF) Resource Facility
The CBPF Resource Facility, hosted by ICVA and managed in partnership with the OCHA Pooled Fund Working Group (PFWG), is designed to empower local and national NGOs (L/NNGOs) by enhancing their capacity and participation in OCHA Country-Based Pooled Funds (CBPF) governance structures at both global and national levels. Through this instrument, four L/NNGO members of the CBPF NGO Dialogue Platform Advisory Group (PAG) received financial and logistical support to participate in the biannual PFWG meeting in New York City in December.
In late January, the CBPF learning and mentoring programmes were officially launched for the benefit of all L/NNGO CBPF Advisory Board members. Discussions, with around 25 engaged participants, covered learning and mentoring programme objectives, learning programme design, mentoring experiences, and next steps. A first learning session for eligible L/NNGOs is set for 19 February. Several communication and collaboration are being finalised, including a public webpage and restricted collaborative spaces to ensure transparency, openness, and exchange among L/NNGO participants.
For more information on the CBPF Resource Facility, please visit the ICVA website.
Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)Under-Funded Emergencies 2025 Round I
ICVA was consulted by the CERF to provide qualitative inputs from its membership to contribute to the Under-Funded Emergencies (UFE) prioritisation process for the first round of funding of 2025. The countries recommended by ICVA members for consideration by the ERC in this UFE round are South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Uganda.
The Humanitarian Coordination team have been reviewing the impact of the US Funding Suspension on humanitarian coordination with the NGO Fora. Please find the latest updates from the IASC, movements in coordination leadership and updates from our working group below.
1. The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Updates
IASC Principals Meeting
The IASC Principals met for an ad-hoc meeting on the US Funding Freeze.
The next IASC Principals Face to Face Meeting will take place on 19 February in Geneva. A draft agenda has been shared and an updated version is expected soon due to evolving priorities. The ERC emphasised the discussions will focus on key systemwide issues requiring action, including responses in MENA (OPT, Lebanon, Syria), Sudan and DRC.
IASC Deputies Face to Face Meeting
The IASC Deputies Face-to-Face Meeting is planned for April in Ethiopia, hosted by UNDP. However, concerns have been raised about Deputy participation and the optics of a high-level in-person meeting during the current global funding challenges and travel restrictions.
The Operational Policy and Advocacy Group (OPAG)
Ms Gabrielle Waaijman from Save the Children and Mr Ted Chaiban from UNICEF have been appointed as OPAG Co-Chairs, effective 1 February 2025. The next OPAG meeting is expected to take place in late February or early March, with dates to be confirmed.
In-briefing with the Humanitarian Coordinator a.i for Mali, Mr Khassim Diagne, and NGOs
ICVA organised an in-person discussion with the Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator ad Interim for Mali, Mr Khassim Diagne, who had been in the role since October 2024. This session was conducted as part of the standard orientation briefings organised by OCHA. The purpose of the briefing was to support the senior humanitarian leader in broadening his understanding of country-specific humanitarian concerns and priorities, aligning expectations with key partners regarding their roles and objectives, and strengthening his relationships with stakeholders at Headquarters.
2. Movements in Humanitarian Coordination Leadership
Latin America Region: The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has assumed leadership of the LAC RMD Coalition.
Cameroon: Mr Slim Bacha has been appointed as the new Coordinator for the INGO Forum in Cameroon
Venezuela: The INGO Forum in Venezuela is currently recruiting a new coordinator.
Philippines: The Humanitarian Coordinator for the Philippines has retired and will be succeeded by a Regional Coordinator.
Afghanistan: The recruitment process for a new director for ACBAR is ongoing.
Lebanon: Meanwhile, the Local Humanitarian Development Forum (LHDF) has appointed Mohammad Mansour as its new coordinator, and the Lebanese Interagency Forum (LIF) is in the process of hiring for a similar role.
3. Humanitarian Coordination Working Group (27 January) Online
An ad hoc HCWG meeting was convened to gather feedback and perspectives from ICVA members on OCHA’s recommendations for ‘A simplified and more efficient humanitarian system‘. These recommendations were developed by Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, and Jan Egeland in his personal capacity, at the request of Tom Fletcher, the Emergency Relief Coordinator.
The recommendations addressed the following key areas:
Humanitarian leadership and coordination at the global level
Humanitarian coordination in countries of operation
System-wide OCHA-led processes, tools, and initiatives
OCHA administration and management
Global meetings and events
Shaping the Future of Humanitarian Aid: Seminar One: Futures Thinking – What does humanitarianism look like in the coming 15 years? (28 – 29 January) Online
ICVA hosted the first seminar on future perspectives on humanitarianism over the next 15 years. This included an exploration of the drivers of change shaping the aid sector and the diverse worldviews influencing the humanitarian system. Led by the Inter-Agency Research and Analysis Network (IARAN) and the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership, this seminar is the first of a transformative series provided by the Future of Aid project.
The series was designed to analyse critical shifts and emerging trends, facilitate in-depth discussions on key drivers of change, and develop scenarios for 2040 to inform responses to future challenges and opportunities. In case you missed the first seminar, you can still contribute by taking this short Pathways to Transformation survey. Find more information about the series and the next seminar on our website.
ICVA and the ICRC Discussion on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the Challenges of Contemporary Armed Conflicts (20 January) Online
ICVA and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) organised a discussion on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the challenges of contemporary armed conflicts. The discussions highlighted the findings of the ICRC 2024 report, International Humanitarian Law and the Challenges of Contemporary Armed Conflicts: Building a Culture of Compliance for IHL to Protect Humanity in Today’s and Future Conflicts. The report outlined critical challenges in modern armed conflicts and provided concrete recommendations for enhancing compliance with IHL. Participants also examined initiatives aimed at ensuring better IHL compliance.
Following the global UNICEF-NGO Consultations in April 2024, an online webinar was held bringing together 50 participants from UNICEF, INGOs, and LNNGOs to advance collaboration on climate advocacy. The session spotlighted UNICEF’s climate advocacy strategy, including links to the Climate Relief, Recovery, and Peace Declaration, presented by UNICEF speakers Emma Reece, Joni Pegram, and Samantha Cocco-Klein. Partner organisations, such as Save the Children International and Plan International, highlighted the importance of locally-led climate action, youth inclusion, and disaggregated data to assess climate impacts on children. Natasha Westheimer, Co-Coordinator at the Climate and Environment Charter Secretariat, outlined how the Charter commitments could serve as a framework for joint advocacy. The event reinforced the need for sustained, child-focused, and inclusive climate action driven by evidence and collaboration.
ICVA’s Alon Plato delivered the opening remarks at the 2024 Regional Humanitarian Partnership Week session on Enhancing Safeguarding and Inclusion in Humanitarian Action. Speakers, including Khalida Mallah, Abid Lashari, and Sibghatullah Ahmed, from Safeguarding Resource Hub, National Disability and Development Forum and Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion, shared insights on inclusive safeguarding in the Asian context. Discussions highlighted the need to prioritise vulnerable populations, address accessibility barriers, and involve communities early in planning and implementing safeguarding measures.
The region faces pressing humanitarian challenges, including a declared Ebola outbreak in Uganda, which adds strain to response efforts, and the ongoing Sudan crisis, a major concern for the region. Members continue to monitor the impact of the Seasonal Weather Outlook and developments in the DRC, along with outflows from affected areas.
Webinar – Refugee Integration Policies in Eastern Africa: Local, National and Global Perspectives (30 January) Online
This webinar, the first in a 2025 series of regional thematic webinars by ICVA and its members in East and Southern Africa, aimed to connect members with policy shapers to influence refugee integration policies. Featuring ICVA members from Uganda (Bondeko Refugee Livelihoods Centre), Kenya (Refugee Consortium of Kenya), and Ethiopia, it explored policy development and application from both humanitarian and refugee perspectives. Discussions covered post-Global Compact on Refugees policy development, collective advocacy to address implementation challenges, and debates on achieving durable solutions in their truest form. Read more in the Summary Report.
West and Central Africa
The humanitarian situation in Goma, eastern DRC, remains critical, with ongoing violence undermining civilian safety, humanitarian access, and infrastructure, in violation of International Humanitarian Law. Severe water shortages are heightening the risk of disease outbreaks, while limited internet access continues to disrupt coordination among humanitarian actors. The recent freeze on US humanitarian funding poses a significant threat to response efforts, further straining operations in the region. To address these challenges, increased donor advocacy and high-level diplomatic engagement are essential to sustain crisis response. Recent developments include the creation of FONGA, the NGO Forum for West and Central Africa, and ad hoc Regional IASC meetings to discuss the humanitarian funding freeze and the situation in Goma, with plans to escalate concerns to the ERC in upcoming discussions.
Conference on the 15th Anniversary of the Kampala Declaration
The Norwegian Refugee Council, with the support of ICVA, UNHCR, IOM, IRC, and DRC, organised this conference in Dakar to address displacement crises in the region and the specific needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The event focused on celebrating successes, sharing lessons learned, and discussing how legal frameworks and policies, alongside on-the-ground assistance, can better protect displaced individuals. Representatives from displaced communities in DRC, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria shared their perspectives, emphasising the importance of a person-centred and inclusive approach to tackling displacement issues.
Chad Protection Analysis Update:Chad plays a crucial role in hosting refugees fleeing violence in neighbouring countries while also contending with internal displacement caused by armed group attacks and intercommunal conflicts. Since June 2024, severe floods have devastated the country, affecting over 1.9 million people and exacerbating protection risks.
The region is navigating varied responses to the impact of the Seasonal Weather Outlook, with different contexts organising their meetings to address specific needs.
Sparking Global Change through Local Solutions: Regional Humanitarian Partnership Week (RHPW) Asia Pacific (10 – 12 December 2024) Bangkok
The event was co-hosted by ICVA, Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network (ADRRN), Community World Service Asia, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) bringing together over 400 participants from 300 organisations across 61 countries. The theme, ‘Sparking Global Change through Local Solutions in Humanitarian Action,’ emphasised the importance of grassroots solutions in addressing complex humanitarian crises. Participants shared best practices, rejuvenated partnerships, and explored sustainable, community-driven solutions to pressing humanitarian challenges. Visit ICVA’s website for the highlights video, session presentations, and the press release.
Resourcing Resilience: Masterclass on Mobilising Resources for Women, Girl, & LGBTIQ+ Organisations (8 – 9 December)
In 2024, the Asia Pacific Gender in Humanitarian Action Group created a database of Women-Led and Women-Focused organisations in the region. This workshop marked the first opportunity for some of these organisations to convene and discuss the opportunities and challenges of accessing humanitarian financing. ICVA shared insights on its recent work related to pooled funds and risk management.
The Latin America region faces significant challenges, with restricted access to Haiti continuing to hinder humanitarian efforts. The FAA’s flight ban at Port-au-Prince airport, extended until March 2025, and limited commercial flight options exacerbate the situation, leaving organisations reliant on costly helicopter services. Humanitarian concerns are further strained by USAID funding freezes, impacting local and national NGOs in countries like Colombia.
Additionally, REDLAC is progressing with its biannual planning for the 2025–2026 biennium, marking significant developments in regional coordination efforts. Meanwhile, ICVA is actively engaging in the monitoring of the Chile Action Plan, working with NGOs, academia, and RLOs to strengthen regional advocacy efforts.
MENA
The MENA region is witnessing significant changes and challenges. The ceasefire in Gaza has improved humanitarian access, though it remains fragile. Members have highlighted critical priorities, including improving access and increasing life-saving assistance in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OpT). At the same time, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria has introduced a need to scale up coordination amidst structural changes. Concerns surrounding the US funding freeze also persist, raising questions about its impact on emergency assistance, local partners, and waivers. The future of UNRWA and the role of local NGOs during Syria’s transition remain pressing issues for discussion.
Syria is transitioning to a standard IASC structure within the next 4 – 6 months. The Syria Humanitarian Fund (SHF) will soon be available to all NGOs operating inside the country, marking a significant shift. Coordination functions are also being restructured, with the Humanitarian Liaison Group (HLG) integrating into the Area Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), the North-East Syria Forum (NES Forum) merging into the Area HCT, and the Strategic Steering Group (SSG) folding into the HCT. These changes call for a reassessment of NGO representation within the HCT to ensure alignment with the evolving operational context.
The United Nations is working to establish seven coordination hubs across Syria in key locations, including Aleppo/Idleb, Homs/Hama, Latakia/Tartus, Damascus/Rural/Sweida/Quneitra, Daraa, Deir Ezzor/Raqqa, and Qamishli/Hasakeh. Despite these developments, members emphasise that the humanitarian needs inside Syria are still extensive. While a new political reality is emerging, the necessary foundations for supporting refugee returns remain insufficient, leading refugee-hosting countries to adjust their asylum policies in response.
Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt)
The Israel-Hamas ceasefire has allowed some Gazans to return to what remains of their homes, yet significant challenges persist. Concerning narratives from the US about Gaza’s future adds to the region’s uncertainty. Meanwhile, escalating violence in the West Bank continues to displace populations, restrict movement, and fuels settler violence, which forcibly removes Palestinians from their land. These trends underscore the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address ongoing humanitarian and political issues across the region.
ICVA is a global network of non-governmental organisations whose mission is to make humanitarian action more principled and effective by working collectively and independently to influence policy and practice.
Contact
International Council of Voluntary Agencies
NGO Humanitarian Hub,
La Voie-Creuse 16, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland
Email: secretariat@icvanetwork.org
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