Ritesh Shah
D. Brent Edwards Jr.
S. Garnett Russell
Claudia Mitchell
Mauro C. Moschetti
Ha Yeon Kim
Carly Tubbs Dolan
J. Lawrence Aber
New models of humanitarian aid and partnership are urgently needed -- models which reckon with histories of colonialism, racism, white saviourism and hegemonic privilege. Yet, as Maha Shuayb identifies, those holding power within our current humanitarian structures hide behind discourses of localisation and partnerships, which is a 'gentler approach, tip-toeing around the heart of the issue'. The issue, as we see it, is one of humanitarian funders, and those receiving the majority of such funding, acknowledging the asymmetrical power dynamics and incentives that preclude a radical rethinking of partnership and action. Despite funders and large INGOs embracing a rhetoric of accountability towards populations affected by conflict and crisis, their actions remain primarily guided by the social, political and economic interests of their own constituencies and leadership.
We draw on two recent examples from the education in emergencies (EiE) community to highlight the harm that is done when the self-interest of funders supersedes the needs and priorities of a sector which remains chronically and insufficiently funded. Additionally, such actions belie the community's ambitions to support evidence generation and advocacy on the importance and impacts of quality education provision in times of crisis, and to establish and sustain more equitable and effective partnerships across the sector.
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