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Enhancing the Humanitarian Agenda Conference

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We recently hosted a conference - Enhancing the Humanitarian Agenda: Partnerships and Agreements - to facilitate the collaboration between the humanitarian and private sectors on the response to urban crises, something we have been doing since 2013, through the 'Ready to Respond' programme, funded by Lloyd's Charities Trust.

As the private and humanitarian sectors work more closely together in responding to urban emergencies, overcoming the challenges of defining partnerships and agreements becomes increasingly important. Whilst such definition takes time, experience and a collaborative working approach, the risks of not investing in these can be high. 

This conference encouraged a wide discussion to address common challenges, learn from successful initiatives and strengthen networks: all with a view to moving closer to establishing best practice in this increasingly important field of humanitarian work. 

We were fortunate to have speakers from both sectors share their experiences: Tim Forster, Regional WASH Advisor for Oxfam; Darren Gill, Senior Consultant for Arup International; John Heelham, WASH Engineering Advisor for Concern Worldwide; Harriette Purchas an independent WASH and Urban Humanitarian Consultant and Angela Khudonazarova, Associate Engineer and Bid Manager for WSP.

Watch below to hear their key takeaways from the conference.

Read the full report of the conference to know what's next!

The conference generated a considerable amount of interest in finding easier ways for private and humanitarian organisations to work together. Suggestions for action included developing shared templates for contracts, sharing learning of where partnership agreements have worked well, and sharing lessons learnt from where they have not. Contracting appeared to be a pressing issue for many participants, leading to the creation of a small action group interested to gather examples of different formats across agencies to create guidance on the most essential elements for NGOs and Private sector organisations to be aware of. The conference allowed an environment for connection between the two different sectors; something that RedR UK will continue to champion in their work on improving capacity in urban humanitarian responses going forward.

Click this link to read the full report of the conference.

Enhancing the Humanitarian Agenda: Partnerships and Agreements Conference at the Royal Academy of Engineering on 26 September 2019
Enhancing the Humanitarian Agenda: Partnerships and Agreements Conference at the Royal Academy of Engineering on 26 September 2019

Read the full report of the conference!

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