Development beyond the emergency

THE KEY IS TO STRENGTHEN THE LINK BETWEEN HUMANITARIAN AID, TO BUFFER A CRISIS, AND COOPERATION, TO DEFINE THE NEXT PHASE, THAT OF PEACE AND GROWTH

Ensuring humanitarian assistance to populations affected by war and natural disasters means "not only intervening in the field in a timely manner, but also developing a transition and exit strategy that guarantees, once the intervention is complete, positive long-term effects by reducing the risk of aid dependence”, explains Beatrice Carlevaro, Regional Program Coordinator - East Africa for COOPI, based in Nairobi with the task of coordinating programs in the East African countries where the NGO is present (particularly Somalia, Sudan and Ethiopia). “The challenge is to generate an integrated and effective impact”, underlines the Bocconi alumna who holds a Master’s Degree in Economic and Social Sciences, “and this is only possible thanks to the coordinated action of the various actors in the humanitarian system (United Nations, government institutions, NGOs among others). This is especially the case because humanitarian crises often require multi-sectoral interventions, aimed at responding to the multiple needs of the affected populations", adds Carlevaro who has also worked in Libya in the past, in the humanitarian assistance of asylum seekers released from local detention camps. The future and the challenges of the humanitarian sector? "I see the future in the strengthening of the link between humanitarian aid and development cooperation", replies Carlevaro, "connecting more the concepts of humanitarian action, development support and peace promotion".

by Camillo Papini
Translated by Alex Foti