HPN event video and summary: Humanitarian Space in Afghanistan and Pakistan

A combination of violent conflict and natural disasters has led to widespread humanitarian needs in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Humanitarian organisations in both countries are faced with increasing challenges that are undermining their ability to respond. The manipulation of humanitarian assistance for political and military purposes is widely perceived to have reduced operational access and created divisions amongst humanitarian actors, weakening and limiting their ability to assess and respond to those needs. Meanwhile, communities and armed actors are becoming increasingly hostile towards interventions, which are viewed as a western and politically partisan enterprise.

Following the Geneva launch earlier this year, this event launched Issue 49 of the Humanitarian Exchange magazine from HPN at the ODI in London, on the theme ‘Humanitarian space in Afghanistan and Pakistan’. Featuring articles from experienced practitioners, the edition assesses the nature of these challenges and outlines ways in which humanitarian organisations are attempting to overcome them.

Speakers discussed issues related to humanitarian space in Afghanistan and Pakistan, drawing on their own extensive experience of analysis and operations in these environments.

Humanitarian Space in Afghanistan and Pakistan
11:00 – 13:00 BST (GMT+1)
13th May 2011, ODI, London
Screened live online

Speakers:

Nicki Bennett – Head of OCHA Pakistan’s policy and strategic planning unit. She is author of Civil–military principles in the Pakistan flood response in HE49 and will present via video link from Islamabad

Brice de le Vingne – Operational Coordinator Afghanistan and Pakistan, Médecins Sans Frontières

Discussant:
Vicki Metcalfe – Research Fellow, Humanitarian Policy Group, ODI

Chair:
Wendy Fenton – Coordinator, Humanitarian Practice Network

To view the video and read a summary of this event, visit the ODI website on the link below