The unbearable lightness of humanitarian reform: Reflections on calls for change in the sector

Abstract

Despite significant rhetoric around reform, the humanitarian sector predominantly focuses on maintaining established structures with minimal actual change. The calls for reform are categorised into technocratic and participatory approaches. Technocratic reforms aim at increasing operational efficiency, whereas participatory efforts prioritise empowering local communities. However, both approaches fail to address the broader political and economic contexts and often overlook the needs and voices of local actors. Meaningful reform should focus on principled, context-specific international and local collaboration, which prioritises both lifesaving support, principled advocacy, and defence of international humanitarian law.