Dignity in displacement: from rhetoric to reality

From HPG’s research, dignity is closely related to respectful communication and good listening. How can we as a humanitarian community do this better? Where are we at with our efforts to communicate better with affected populations?

A useful suggestion to enhance local understanding is to include anthropologists (local or international) early in the response to inform its implementation. How feasible is this and where is it already done? What are some other suggestions?

HPG’s research suggests that dignity is more about how aid is given than what is given (and by whom), and local organisations are not necessarily better at implementing a dignified response. What does this mean for the localisation agenda? Who is local in a displacement context and does it matter?

Upholding dignity seems to go beyond the remit of what humanitarian actors can do and might require working with others in terms of partnerships and advocacy. How can the humanitarian community be more honest about what is feasibly achievable? How does this relate to affected populations’ expectations of the response?