HNPW Session | Driving People and Child-centred Humanitarian Action: Evidence, Tools, and Lessons from Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Moldova, and Myanmar

Despite the challenges the humanitarian sector faces, accountability to affected persons, localisation, and the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) nexus offer opportunities for a more inclusive, people-centred humanitarian system. Children often constitute the largest number of affected people in any humanitarian crisis. However, in adult-centric humanitarian systems, the needs of children, including adolescents, are often overlooked. When children and adolescents are in focus, they are frequently viewed as ‘vulnerable’ and beneficiaries of aid in need of adult protection, resulting in decisions often being taken on their behalf and without their direct involvement. The same is said for other ‘vulnerable groups’, how can these groups be active participants in decisions that affect them?

Drawing on real-world examples from Moldova, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Myanmar, participants will engage with practical insights from protection and accountability specialists. They will cover transferring power to communities and local actors, breaking down silos, and integrating sustainable, community-tailored solutions to create a more inclusive child- and people-centred humanitarian system. Speakers will discuss the utility of these lessons for coordination and planning at community and country level and beyond.

Convenors - NORCAP and the Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action -  want to hear from you about what can and should be practically done to strengthen child and community centred humanitarian action using a rights-based approach. Commitments to further action will be sought and reinforced by Norwegian Government representatives and the CHS Alliance.