The 2023 Global Humanitarian Assistance report highlights the urgent need for humanitarian aid, with over 400 million people worldwide requiring assistance annually. Despite efforts, challenges such as forced displacement, armed conflict, food insecurity, natural disasters, and health crises persist at record levels. Addressing the needs of vulnerable communities, including disproportionately affected groups such as women and refugees, is paramount. However, achieving efficient, impactful, and inclusive aid amid growing budget constraints presents a pressing challenge for aid organizations and their partners.
To understand this dynamic humanitarian landscape and advance a global conversation on the way forward, Devex and Visa surveyed nearly a thousand aid professionals and conducted in-depth interviews with thought leaders and implementers. We learned what aid delivery looks like on the ground, as well as what is needed for an accessible, adaptable, and sustainable approach to humanitarian aid disbursements. The resulting report, “Reimagining aid in the digital age: Building global capabilities to serve local needs,” explores the importance of prioritizing beneficiaries, providing choices based on local contexts, and fostering resilience and diverse partnerships for effective interventions.
This event hosted by Devex in partnership with Visa marks the launch of the report. We’ll dive into the key findings and recommendations, as well as discuss humanitarian aid delivery challenges, best practices, and trends. As an official session during the Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week in Geneva, we will convene key experts to explore innovative efforts that aim to deliver greater impact in the face of escalating global crises.
Registration and networking
Opening remarks and scene-setting
• Alan Robbins, co-founder and executive vice president, Devex
Fireside chat — officially launch and present key findings from the report “Reimagining aid in the digital age: building global capabilities to serve local needs”
• Carmen Hett, treasurer, division of financial and administrative management, UNHCR
Moderator: Alan Robbins, co-founder and executive vice president, Devex
Panel conversation
• Fouad Diab, head of the global cash-based initiatives support team, International Organization for Migration
• Alyoscia D'Onofrio, vice president, head of technical excellence, International Rescue Committee
• Elisa Gabellieri, humanitarian partnerships director, GiveDirectly
• Louise Holden, global head of partnerships, Visa Government Solutions
Moderator: Alan Robbins, co-founder and executive vice president, Devex
Audience Q&A
• Joseph Oliveros, senior officer, cash transfer programming innovation, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Closing Remarks
Networking