Re-engineering humanitarian response – opportunity and obligation

The existing international humanitarian system, with its focus on United Nations agencies and large international non-government organisations, is no longer fit for purpose. The extent of humanitarian need already exceeds the available donor funds, and the situation will likely worsen as needs increase and donors face competing domestic priorities. A new approach, which can deliver substantially greater humanitarian effect for effort, is thus needed. Virtually all the goods and many of the services provided at the front line of an emergency come from commercial private-sector enterprises. A much higher level of technical and managerial professionalism is needed to ensure that these private-sector resources are mobilised, directed and supervised to achieve fast, efficient and effective response. Civil engineers have a vital role to play – they have skills and attitudes that are critically lacking within the current system. This provides both opportunity and obligation for those able to contribute.