The arbitration required between possibilities of new technologies and usefulness for populations
The resurgence of new technologies requires humanitarian actors to take stock of their possibilities, applicability and interest for populations.
The United Against Inhumanity initiative
We are inaugurating a new “Tribune” section that will allow for the expression of various initiatives in the humanitarian sector, and original, iconoclastic and even polemical points of view. And it’s...
At the era of “humanitarian digitisation”, lifting the veil of newness
Applications of digital information communication technologies (ICTs) are now commonplace across the disaster response cycle. But some gaps leave a critical and emerging set of risk factors largely unaddressed in...
Humanitarian drones: useful tool, toxic image
Undoubtedly it is technological tools that crystallize fantasies of efficiency and the greatest ambiguities the most. Drones induce multiple confusions – between civil and military use, interests of populations, NGOs and...
“The biggest area in which blockchain can help promote human rights is digital identity”
Interview with Julio Alejandro • Président directeur général de Humanitarian Blockchain While blockchain technology is often associated with bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, it is only the tip of the iceberg. The...
Innovating humanitarian practices through socio-anthropological research
The seminar, “Socio-anthropological research at Médecins du Monde: What use is it to act?” was held on 14 December 2018. This day was the opportunity to look back on the ten...
Collectif item is an eye-opener
Its rallying slogan, “So as not to stay with our eyes shut”, is a leitmotiv that resonates for humanitarian workers, development professionals and social workers and which justifies our turning...
How the arrival of companies re-examines the notions of legitimacy and accountability: the example of cash transfer programmes
Isabelle Schlaepfer invites us to a salutary perspective in the debate on the impact of the arrival of companies in the humanitarian field. Drawing on the recurring question of the...
From resilience to localisation, or how slogans are not enough for an in-depth reform of the humanitarian sector
At regular intervals, a new slogan echoes around the humanitarian sector, with unifying virtues that are supposed to embody its reform. Yet fads pass, and often the poor integration of innovations...
Interview with Patrice Paoli: “What’s important, is the mission and that everyone be inspired by common guidelines”
Patrice Paoli is the director of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs Crisis Centre. While the French State reaffirms its desire to involve companies and foundations in humanitarian...
Social Impact Bonds or the pyromaniac State
The subject of “social impact bonds” was first raised by Mathieu Dufour in his article, “Are NGOs the sole purveyors of honourable intentions”, published in the previous issue of this...
Interview with Jan Egeland: “We should be as ambitious in protection of civilians as we have become in assistance”
Former United Nations Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Jan Egeland is Secretary General of the NGO Norwegian Refugee Council. Last January, he gave us an interview during...