Localizing humanitarian action: the essential role of local governments

From 28 to 31 October, Geneva hosted the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. Every 4 years, the ICRC, IFRC, all Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies and all States gather in Geneva to discuss the most pressing humanitarian issues and how to ensure principled humanitarian action.

This year, “War in cities” and “Localization” were central themes of this important conference which takes place at a moment where humanitarian action is more needed than ever. Various panels and events addressed the dire humanitarian consequences of urban warfare and the need to better support local humanitarian actors who are present before, during and after the crisis, to assist those in need.

Obviously, the emphasis was put on the role of Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, as auxiliary to their public authorities in the humanitarian field, and above all, as local humanitarian actors who are well positioned to adequately and efficiently respond to people’s needs.

Little was said however about local and regional governments (LRGs), who are also frontline responders to the humanitarian consequences of armed conflicts, violence, natural and technological disasters, climate change, mass migration flows, pandemics, etc. Whilst LRGs are primary interlocutors, stakeholders and partners on the ground for the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRC, IFRC and National Societies) in humanitarian action, the Movement remains today largely faithful to a Westphalian conception of the international order, thus engaging primarily with the central authorities of States as high contracting parties to the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

By consequence, LRGs have only sparsely been associated to the Movement’s institutional processes, including this International Conference, nor have LRGs been invited to contribute to the framing of the latter’s outcomes. LRGs have no legal standing in the Conference and are not known to have ever attended it with observer or guest status or to have been included in national government delegations. Whilst first in line in responding to humanitarian crises on the ground, LRGs’ roles, responsibilities and commitments have also rarely been referenced in the Resolutions, Pledges and other outcomes of the International Conference. Governments’ commitments and duties have almost always been defined at the central level.

Yet, the need for a whole-of-government approach, which is inherent in the localization agenda, is however making its way into Movement approaches. This is illustrated, inter alia, by the emerging usage in Movement narratives of language defining the roles and responsibilities of States or public authorities «at all levels». Two of the resolutions adopted by the 34^th International Conference on “Protecting people from the humanitarian impacts of extreme climate and weather events” and “Enabling local leadership, capacity and delivery in principled humanitarian action and strengthening resilience” do refer to “local authorities” or the “local level”.

But more needs to be done. While the GCH plans to continue its advocacy efforts for the Movement to more fully consider the role of LRGs, especially in multilateral policy discussions, it recognizes that the scope and quality of the Movement’s interactions with LRGs remain undocumented, requiring deeper analysis. Research on the dialogue and collaboration established by the Movement with LRGs could highlight practical illustrations and best practices of collaboration. This could result in the potential development of policy guidelines for the Movement, as well as recommendations on how to ensure that the voice and perspectives of LRGs are further heard, positioned, and taken into account in the Movement’s humanitarian diplomacy agenda. Therefore, the GCH encourages the Movement and in particular the ICRC and the IFRC, to take forward the idea of a research project. The GCH stands ready to play a facilitation role in that regard, including by establishing contacts with LRGs.

Photo credit : Maria Victoria Langman