Looking at the bigger picture Humanitarian response by the Diaspora by Unisa Dizo-Conteh AFFORD - The African Foundation for Development

What is humanitarian response? “humanitarian aid is assistance designed to save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain and protect human dignity during and in the aftermath of emergencies.” (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development)

Who are the “Diaspora? Diaspora is a Greek word – “to scatter/spread” Diaspora is a Greek word – “to scatter/spread” The dispersion of any people from their original homeland (Oxford Dictionary) The dispersion of any people from their original homeland (Oxford Dictionary) projected 215 million diasporans -great potential for Diasporas to contribution to humanitarian response

General framework of Diaspora contribution? The Five Cs of Diaspora Capital The Five Cs of Diaspora Capital  Financial Capital - remittances, supporting families, Entrepreneurship & private sector investment  Intellectual Capital - brain drain to brain gain  Political Capital - involvement in politics, building democratic institutions – financial and other contributions  Cultural Capital - unique cultural values – blend with country of origin and current country of residence. Brand ambassadors  Social Capital -

How does the traditional humanitarian system work? Donations Governments Co-ordination OCHA (UN) (o ffice for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) brings together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies Implementation WHO MSF

Traditional & Contemporary humanitarian system/s Donations Governments Diaspora Communities Co-ordination OCHA (UN) brings together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies Diaspora Communities Implementation WHO MSF Diaspora Communities

Diaspora humanitarian system DONATIONS Diaspora CO-ORDINATION Diaspora IMPLEMENTATION Diaspora

Humanitarian Role by the Diaspora: Sierra Leone’s Context Establishe d Organisati ons in the UK Districts Associations Sierra Leone Diaspora Network The Organisation of Sierra Leonean Healthcare Professionals Abroad Sierra Leone War Trust Sierra Leone Excellence Awards Sweissy Union UK During ebola outbreak Pre-ebola outbreak

How are these organisations responding to the Ebola crisis? Lunchbox Gift serving nutritious, meals to patient and staff at Ebola treatment centres, always striving to preserve their dignity serving nutritious, meals to patient and staff at Ebola treatment centres, always striving to preserve their dignity During lockdown in September 2014, 2,600 hot meals served to vulnerable communities in Freetown During lockdown in September 2014, 2,600 hot meals served to vulnerable communities in Freetown Increased to 50,000 hot meals to patients and frontline healthcare workers. Isolation of Ebola patients means that their families cannot get food to them in the usual way Increased to 50,000 hot meals to patients and frontline healthcare workers. Isolation of Ebola patients means that their families cannot get food to them in the usual way

How are these organisations responding to the Ebola crisis? SLUK Diaspora Ebola Response Taskforce: Strategic partner of Diaspora organisations and bringing together organisations with shared aims Strategic partner of Diaspora organisations and bringing together organisations with shared aims Recruitment and training of healthcare volunteers Recruitment and training of healthcare volunteers Shipment of essential medical supplies and equipment Shipment of essential medical supplies and equipment

US-UK Diaspora Pioneering Collaboration National Organisation of Sierra Leoneans in North America and Sierra Leone UK Diaspora Ebola Response Taskforce airlift US$85,000 worth of medical supplies for emergency Ebola response effort

What are the major challenges Diaspora communities face? Recognition - as most are small groups or individual efforts and often informal Recognition - as most are small groups or individual efforts and often informal Co-ordination - absence of a body or organisation to coordinate efforts Co-ordination - absence of a body or organisation to coordinate efforts Funding & Resources - most of them often compete for limited funding etc Funding & Resources - most of them often compete for limited funding etc

Major humanitarian challenges and drivers Climate change and environmental degradation Climate change and environmental degradation Global population growth Global population growth Global inequalities and poverty rising Global inequalities and poverty rising Violence, conflicts & terrorism Violence, conflicts & terrorism Unprecedented technological change & cybercrime Unprecedented technological change & cybercrime

What are the major problems of the humanitarian system? Often too little,Too latePoorly distributed Conventional humanitarian assistance is faced with three fundamental problems:

What are the potential opportunities for engaging with diaspora communities? First responders to a crisis* First responders to a crisis* Skilled with unique local and cultural knowledge Skilled with unique local and cultural knowledge Direct Access to needs of affected population (through advance technology – mobile, social media), thereby improving flow of information Direct Access to needs of affected population (through advance technology – mobile, social media), thereby improving flow of information Direct intervention where they are needed most – including hard-to-reach areas Direct intervention where they are needed most – including hard-to-reach areas Provide skilled volunteers for humanitarian action Provide skilled volunteers for humanitarian action

AFFORD’s Diaspora Emergency Aid & Coordination What we do know and don’t know so far? Aimed at improving operational and strategic communication and coordination between diaspora communities and conventional humanitarian actors. Aimed at improving operational and strategic communication and coordination between diaspora communities and conventional humanitarian actors.

Conclusion Improving strategic partnership and coordination between diaspora communities and conventional humanitarian actors is not just an option. It is absolutely necessary to improve humanitarian response preparedness and coordination

THANK YOU