Together We Stand

[ 34 ] To really be transformative, address conflict head-on Neal Keny-Guyer, Chief Executive Officer, Mercy Corps T he world needs effective humanitarian responses now more than ever before with rising numbers of refugees, increased conflict and state fragility, and unpredict- able but intense effects of climate change. But as traditional models of humanitarian assistance fail in the face of a new normal of protracted, complex, and non-linear crises, our community must change the way we do business. Specifically, we must address the drivers and manifestations of conflict and violence, head-on, earlier in our humanitarian responses. To that end, peacebuilding can no longer be seen as a separate ‘sector’, initiated only when ‘lifesaving needs’ are met. From Syria and Yemen to Nigeria and South Sudan, complex emergencies are less and less likely to conform to patterns we had come to recognize. They spread like fire — transcending sectors and geographic borders while creating cycles of recur- rent suffering that challenge our conventional theories and management approaches. Many aid organizations claim to be investing in programs to promote resilient communities in areas that are chroni- cally violent and unstable. However, many of these programs remain focused on saving lives — which is critical — rather than addressing the root causes of extreme poverty and humanitarian suffering. Around the world, violent conflict is the primary source of human displacement. It severely disrupts development and is costly to both individuals and countries. Yet, of the billions of dollars spent annually on foreign aid, very little is dedicated Image: Corinna Robbins Humanitarian aid has permeated the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on a massive scale — yet needs are greater than ever T ogether W e S tand