This project, guided by five objectives detailed in the proposal, aims to comprehensively explore new facets of humanitarian landscapes, with a specific focus on variations within these landscapes, accountability dynamics, and addressing inequalities. The program is structured into four distinct work-packages.
In the first phase, Ethical Alternatives, the review of prevailing ethical literature and knowledge in humanitarian governance has resulted in intermediate outputs, such as the article "Ethical Considerations of Disaster Research in Conflict-Affected Areas." Another aspect has been the formation of Humanitarian Observatories, opening spaces for humanitarian and ethical discussions in the regions or countries where the observatories are present. The observatories will convene at the Humanitarian Studies Conference in Dhaka in November 2023 to further exchange knowledge and experiences.
The second work package informs about Humanitarian Governance, Accountability, and Advocacy. Research is actively examining these aspects in Colombia, Ethiopia, and the DRC. Fieldwork is nearly complete, leading to diverse outputs like humanitarian observatories, recommendations, and advocacy efforts. On the basis of preliminary fieldwork, further case studies have been identified for each country. For example, in the case of DRC: Ebola responses, advocacy by displaced people in the city of Goma, and accountability around protection against sexual exploitation and abuse. In the fall of 2022, humanitarian observatories have been launched in DRC, Ethiopia, and Colombia. They all have had multiple meetings, yielding a range of outputs, including websites, recommendations, advocacy statements, and blogs. The project is also developing a Q-methodology study in each observatory with humanitarian actors.
The third package focuses on Climate-Related Displacement. The ongoing case studies center on climate change adaptation, forecast-based financing, and social protection. For viability reasons, the cases are all focusing on the country of Bangladesh, with some additional work in West Africa. The engagement extended beyond interviews, encompassing presentations of the research topic and plan to partnering host organizations. This collaborative effort aimed to enhance accountability, facilitate constructive feedback, and foster deeper cooperation. A significant portion of the research took place in Kalapara Upazila, situated within the Patuakhali District. This specific geographical location was chosen to conduct sub-case studies that provided localized insights, particularly within the context of the central coastal area of Bangladesh.
A final work package focuses on Conceptual Tools for Humanitarian Governance. The project has yielded various publications. Notably, one article presents a comprehensive approach that delves into humanitarian accountability, a cornerstone within the project's framework. It furnishes a theoretical framework enriched by cases and examples drawn from fieldwork conducted in Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, and Myanmar. Meanwhile, another article is dedicated to comprehending the intricate interplay between climate change, humanitarian action, development, and peacebuilding. With a different focus, another article outlines both theoretical and methodological approaches for ethical research of disaster and humanitarian action. This includes an examination of the primary challenges and moral dimensions inherent in our work and practice as researchers in this field.
Across all the work packages, a pivotal Project Working Retreat took place in Cartagena, Colombia, in April 2023, wherein preliminary results were shared and conceptual tools honed. This interdisciplinary endeavor advances the understanding of complex humanitarian governance, driving the application of grounded knowledge and novel methodologies to humanitarian contexts.
