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Cracks in Coordination: Trust and Engagement in Humanitarian Country Teams (September 2024)

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Introduction

In emergency contexts, humanitarian needs often surpass what any single organisation can manage alone. Coordination among aid agencies is crucial to ensure comprehensive coverage of needs and prevent gaps and duplication in response activities. Effective coordination, however, requires more than just participation and representation; it also requires strong trust and healthy team dynamics. This paper presents a snapshot of Humanitarian Country Teams (HCTs) dynamics based on the experiences of over 30 NGO Forum Coordinators in various humanitarian and nexus contexts. The findings highlight critical gaps in trust, healthy conflict, and commitment within HCTs. Addressing these issues could significantly improve response performance and outcomes for affected populations.