BlueCheck Ukraine, co-founded by actor Liev Schreiber, Jason Cone, and others, is a startup that aims to streamline funding to small Ukrainian NGOs and civil society groups involved in frontline humanitarian aid. With a focus on rapid funding with minimal bureaucracy, BlueCheck has distributed about $3 million in 2023, directly supporting grassroots organizations like Starenki, a Kyiv-based foundation aiding the elderly. Despite the success, the model's scalability and sustainability in the face of donor fatigue remain challenges. The startup's approach has been recognized as a potential game-changer in the humanitarian sector, which has struggled to fulfill its localisation promises.

A recent statement by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee principals urged donors to reconsider funding cuts to UNRWA, which were not supported by all major aid groups, notably excluding World Vision International. World Vision faces scrutiny over its silence on Gaza and pressure due to political scrutiny in the US, especially after the controversial conviction of its Gaza operations manager. The FCDO staff survey revealed significant sexual misconduct, and the UN appointed a new climate crisis coordinator for El Niño response. Data from UNCTAD shows severe economic impacts on Gaza, with a slow recovery predicted. Donor countries are divided on funding UNRWA, with some suspending aid due to unproven allegations, while others, like Norway, advocate for continued support.

Grassroots groups are creating their own solutions to funding and power disparities in the emergency aid sector. A panel moderated by The New Humanitarian at the UN General Assembly discussed how local organizations are sharing resources and working with new donors to support faster local funding. Hibak Kalfan and Degan Ali highlighted the importance of Global South solutions to their problems. The conversation also touched on the need for radical reform, the differential treatment of local and international organizations in fraud cases, and the challenges of securing investment from donor governments.

Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, criticizes the excessive branding by donors and aid agencies on humanitarian supplies, describing it as an 'arms race' that infringes on the dignity of aid recipients. He announces an NRC review to reassess their branding practices and advocates for a reduction in visibility competition among organizations. Egeland emphasizes the need for storytelling over branding to demonstrate the effectiveness of aid to donors and taxpayers. He also discusses the importance of advocacy for humanitarian issues, separate from organizational branding.

Cindy McCain begins her term as head of the World Food Programme (WFP) on April 5, amid record levels of global food insecurity and extreme hunger exacerbated by conflict, COVID-19, climate crisis, and economic turmoil. WFP, the largest aid operation receiving the most humanitarian donor funding, faces a historic funding gap of $23 billion. McCain's role includes addressing service cuts due to funding shortfalls, managing rising operational costs due to inflation, and leveraging WFP's influence to shape humanitarian trends. WFP's transition to cash assistance and its digital beneficiary management system, SCOPE, are notable, though internal audits have highlighted issues with data security and consent. McCain's leadership will determine whether WFP can drive change or maintain the status quo in addressing institutional racism and sexual abuse and exploitation within the sector.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is considering a 15% budget cut in frontline emergencies due to a projected funding shortfall of up to 25%. The organization's largest ever budget of 2.8 billion Swiss francs is under threat just weeks after approval, with a 400 million CHF reduction in field operations being targeted. An internal letter from Director-General Robert Mardini has sparked staff outrage, with over 2,400 employees signing an open letter criticizing fiscal management and calling for an external audit. The ICRC attributes the shortfall to constrained aid budgets, increased needs, inflation, and supply costs exacerbated by the Ukraine conflict. Despite a 140 million CHF deficit at the start of the year and previous budget cuts in 2020, the ICRC hopes to raise its full 2023 budget. Mardini's internal communication indicates a strategic review to focus on areas where the ICRC is most relevant and effective.

The Human Rights Council session in Geneva will address the intersection of humanitarian crises and rights issues, with a focus on long-standing emergencies in countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Myanmar, Ethiopia, North Korea, Ukraine, Venezuela, South Sudan, and Syria. Human rights in the context of the climate crisis, housing, women's rights, and disaster extremes will be highlighted. China's treatment of Uyghurs, the right to privacy in the post-COVID-19 era, and vaccine equity are also key topics. The session runs from 27 February to 4 April.

Nicholas Haan, a famine expert and former aid worker in Somalia, discusses the recurring issue of famine and his vision for ending global hunger. He criticizes the humanitarian sector for repeating ineffective strategies and advocates for a radical shift in thinking, leveraging technology and digital transformation. Haan outlines a $20 billion proposal, split between immediate aid and investment in digital skills and advanced technologies for vulnerable populations. He also reflects on the technical use of the term 'famine' and the need for action before crises reach famine thresholds. Haan's personal experiences with hunger inform his passion for the issue.

The COP27 climate summit in Egypt has included loss and damage financing as a core agenda item, marking a significant step for vulnerable countries after wealthy nations had previously resisted such discussions. The summit is addressing the urgent climate emergency, with humanitarian consequences like floods in Pakistan and droughts in the Horn of Africa. Key issues include the operationalization of loss and damage funding, debt relief, and climate justice. The humanitarian sector's role at COP has evolved from observation to active advocacy, with groups like Médecins Sans Frontières emphasizing the health impacts of climate change. The summit also highlights the need for early warning systems to mitigate disaster risks. The success of COP27 is seen as contingent on clear commitments to establish a financing facility for loss and damage, with a timeline for implementation.

Mami Mizutori, head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, emphasizes the urgency of the disaster prevention agenda at a global forum in Indonesia. She highlights the increasing gap between humanitarian needs and funding, the necessity of reducing vulnerability and exposure to disasters, and the importance of integrating risk-informed decisions into humanitarian actions. Mizutori calls for better collaboration and local engagement in humanitarian efforts and stresses the need for swift action to mainstream disaster risk reduction, drawing parallels with the environmental movement's trajectory towards public awareness and market integration.

The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction is taking place in Indonesia from May 23 to 28, focusing on enhancing risk reduction strategies from local to international levels. The forum, organized by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and led by Mami Mizutori, aims to address the increasing number of disasters and the exacerbating effects of climate change on hazards. It emphasizes the importance of crisis prevention and preparation, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic's revelation of how poverty and inequality can intensify crises.

A fire on 22 March at the Kutupalong Rohingya refugee camp near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, destroyed at least 10,000 homes and displaced over 45,000 people. Barbed-wire fencing around the camps may have hindered escape and relief efforts. Fifteen deaths were reported, with two children among the victims, and at least 400 people were initially missing. Rights groups and refugees have criticized the fencing, which also complicates access to health clinics and other services. The cause of the fire is under investigation, with a gas cylinder explosion being a possible cause. Aid facilities, including health clinics and food distribution centers, were also destroyed.

Following Myanmar's military coup, humanitarian operations face new challenges as nearly one million people in conflict zones depend on aid. International NGOs like the International Rescue Committee, CARE, and the Norwegian Refugee Council have suspended or reduced operations, while others like Médecins Sans Frontières and Malteser International report limited activities. The coup has led to increased pressure on aid groups, with potential new restrictions on aid delivery. The UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting, and there are calls for targeted sanctions and an arms embargo. Local civil society groups and aid workers may face heightened risks without the option to leave, unlike international groups. The impact of the coup on Myanmar's peace process and ceasefires with armed groups remains uncertain. International donors may reconsider funding due to concerns over the military's control. The situation for humanitarian operations and the peace process is precarious, with the potential for increased conflict and displacement.

The World Health Organisation declared the new coronavirus a global health emergency, highlighting the risk to countries with weak health systems. The decision followed an emergency meeting in Geneva, with the virus having rapidly spread since its initial report in Wuhan, China, on December 31. As of February 4, confirmed infections reached 20,000, primarily in China but also in other countries. The declaration aims to mobilize global attention and resources, and emphasizes WHO recommendations for preparedness and response. Previous PHEIC declarations have been rare and sometimes considered political. The WHO is also working on naming the disease, seeking a name that avoids stigmatization and undue fear.

Myanmar has bulldozed entire Rohingya villages to construct a large camp intended for housing returning refugees, according to satellite imagery analysis. Rights groups claim this is part of an effort to militarize northern Rakhine State and alter the landscape following the 2017 Rohingya exodus. Over 55 villages have been cleared, with new military bases, roads, and infrastructure replacing torched Rohingya homes. The repatriation plan for refugees has stalled, and Myanmar's military crackdown has prevented independent investigations and restricted aid operations. Meanwhile, Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh face risks from the upcoming cyclone and monsoon seasons.

As the monsoon season nears, Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh face severe risks of landslides and floods. The Kutupalong-Balukhali mega-camp, housing over half a million refugees, could see one third of its land submerged. Over 86,000 people are in high-danger flood areas, and more than 23,000 live on unstable hillsides. Aid groups and Bangladeshi authorities are prioritizing the stabilization of at-risk homes, but time is limited. The 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar's Rakhine State led to a massive influx of Rohingya into Bangladesh, resulting in hastily constructed settlements on unstable land. Essential services, including washrooms, latrines, tube-well water sources, classrooms, and health clinics, are also at risk. The UNHCR is working to upgrade homes, and there are plans to relocate the most vulnerable, but space is scarce. With the monsoon season imminent, aid officials like CARE's Bangladesh country director Zia Choudhury stress the urgency of preparation.