Globally, we are facing multiple and compounding crises. Whether it is the devastating impacts of climate change, a seemingly never-ending pandemic, or armed conflicts from Ethiopia to Ukraine, it can feel like the crises never stop. While there has long been a divide between human rights and humanitarian funders, this sense of constant crisis combined with lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic has helped the philanthropic sector recognize that it must strengthen its approach to crisis infrastructure and management. Together, as funders and facilitators of social movements, we are in full flight, moving into and shaping the future of crisis response mechanisms!

With more than 20 years of rapid response grantmaking under our belt at Urgent Action Fund-Africa, we have learned a thing or two about crisis response. One truth has become constant: money alone is not enough! For any crisis response to be effective, we must center indigenous people’s wisdom, analysis, and solutions. Here are some of the factors that have withstood the test of time for us at UAF-Africa, bolstering our rapid and sometimes steady navigation of crisis moments with an ethical and feminist moral compass.

  • Local expertise ready to do rapid assessments. 
  • Trusted networks.
  • Equitable partnerships. 

As we look ahead to the next 20 years, we know that the crises we face will only multiply. We call on our peers in philanthropy to integrate the lessons of the last few years. The challenges may be daunting, but when we trust in and care for the people we serve, we cannot go wrong.

Read the full article about effective crisis response by Ndana Bofu-Tawamba at Alliance Magazine.