COVID-19 Response - Long-Term Issues of COVID-19 Response through the Lens of the Humanitarian-Development Nexus

This COVID-19 Coordination Call, part of a weekly series organised by CORE Group (see Related Summaries below), explores the longer-term issues of COVID-19 and how the pandemic can provide opportunities for partners to adapt current strategies and funding mechanisms to bolster health systems at the national level. The goal is to identify creative solutions so that those who are most vulnerable get the support and services they need.

In this webinar, CORE Group facilitated a virtual roundtable in conversation with Patricia McIlreavy, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, and Michael Shipler, Vice President of Strategy for Search for Common Ground (SFCG). Two Co-Chairs from the CORE Group Humanitarian-Development Task Force - Cammi Blackburn of World Vision and Sarah Kellogg IMA World Health - introduced the discussion.

The call provides an overview of the CORE Group Humanitarian-Development Task Force; explores the humanitarian-development, as well as peace-building, nexus; and provides two case studies from Yemen and Iraq that highlight what is working to address COVID-19 through the humanitarian-to-development lens. Overall, it acknowledges that COVID-19 is a driver of social tension as infection rates and epidemic responses reveal the inequalities and political rifts in society, but also sees COVID-19 as an opportunity to bring about better social cohesion and collaboration between warring parties, governments and citizens, or governments and the media.

The webinar included the following presentations, which were each followed by discussion:

1. Presentation: CORE Group Humanitarian-Development Task Force Strategy
By: Cammi Blackman, Business Development Manager, World Vision, and Sarah Kellogg, Director, Country Support, IMA World Health
Summary: The two Co-Chairs of the CORE Group Humanitarian-Development Task Force (HDTF) talked about their work and how they define the humanitarian-development nexus. It is defined as connecting or linking humanitarian and development efforts to support the most vulnerable and ensure that no one is left behind. This nexus is becoming more and more relevant, as humanitarian operations around the world are lasting for many years (no longer just months), with major donors shifting priorities to work more in fragile contexts with long-term funding. The talk also explains what the HDTF does, which includes: driving improved coordination, communication, and collaborative learning across global health programming in emergency response, recovery, and development; and functioning as a platform that brings together non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations (CSOs), multilateral organisations, donors, and policymakers across the humanitarian-development continuum. HDTF activities include promoting knowledge sharing, building capacity, and increasing awareness of activities and programmes that successfully navigate the continuum between humanitarian and development efforts.

2. Guest speakers for roundtable discussion: Patricia McIlreavy, CEO and President, Center for Disaster Philanthropy and Michael Shipler, Vice President Strategy, SFCG
Summary: Both presenters provided opening comments and working definitions of the humanitarian-to-development nexus. Michael Shipler talked in particular about the humanitarian-development-peace nexus; he sees peace as important pillar in humanitarian work and development work. One of the reasons for this is that most humanitarian crises stem from violent conflict, as well as the fact that no development work can reach the most marginalised when conflict, tensions, and dominant interests exist. Peace-building - addressing inequalities and facilitating collaboration - is therefore essential for effective and sustainable development work.

Patricia McIlreavy highlighted the importance of asking people what they need in order to address this humanitarian, development, and peace nexus. She stresses that development should never happen in silos and that funding should take this into consideration. She sees COVID-19 as an opportunity to challenge ourselves and look at how we need to change the way we work. It is also an opportunity to strengthen collaboration on many levels and to use what is learned to contribute to longer-term development.

3. Case study presentation: Supporting Camp and Non-Camp Communities through COVID-19 in Iraq
By: Róisín Mangan, Policy and Advocacy Advisor, Mercy Corps
Summary: This case study looked at how Mercy Corps has been supporting camp and non-camp communities in Iraq through COVID-19, focusing on long-term thinking while implementing emergency response. It looks at how the programme integrated development thinking into humanitarian response, while addressing drivers of conflict and violence. This is made possible by a strategy that is community focused and community led and that builds on existing community structures.

4. Case study presentation: Conflict Sensitivity in the Context of Triple Nexus - Yemen Case
By: Shoqi Maktary, Senior Regional Conflict Sensitivity Advisor, Middle East and North Africa, SFCG
Summary: This case study looks at how SFCG in Yemen uses conflict sensitivity as one of the dynamics in the triple nexus - of humanitarian, development and peace-building work - and is seen as a natural evolution of this triple nexus. Conflict sensitivity, for example, calls for a holistic approach. Changing a context requires addressing the humanitarian, development, and peace-building sectors - all with a conflict-sensitive approach in mind. SFCG is putting this strategy into practice in Yemen by building community capacity to work collaboratively and strengthening peace-building structures through which humanitarian and development work can be facilitated. They have also worked with donors to ensure that funding is sensitive to the triple nexus. In conclusion, Shoqi Maktary calls on all sectors - humanitarian, development, and peace-building - to work together to build conflict sensitivity into all programming that seeks to help those in need.

On February 6 2020, CORE Group began a series of weekly calls (see Related Summaries, below) to convene members and partners to discuss their institutional positions around a range of topics related to COVID-19 in an effort to coordinate and support the global pandemic response. During each call, people who signed up for the discussion have the opportunity to ask questions and give input, and these discussions are also included in the recording. To receive updates and coordination call announcements, subscribe to CORE Group's One Health Interest Group listserv or email the listserv using: onehealth@lists.coregroup.org.