Humanitarian aid is a complex and multifaceted field involving a network of a wide range of international, regional and national actors, from international organizations and governments to non-governmental organizations and local partner organizations. Each of these actors has a specific role to play in responding to humanitarian crises, providing relief or supporting humanitarian operations.
Understanding who these key players are and how they contribute to the humanitarian ecosystem is critical for anyone interested in or working in the sector. Insight into this ecosystem can also be meaningful for those who care about the plight of millions of people in urgent need. DONARE has compiled an overview of the main actors in humanitarian aid and their respective roles.
United Nations Secretariat and Agencies
The United Nations (UN) system is central to global humanitarian coordination, with the humanitarian aid office and several specialized agencies leading efforts in various domains. The UN serves as the main hub for coordinating international relief efforts.
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
OCHA, part of the UN Secretariat, is responsible for coordinating international humanitarian efforts. The Office ensures that aid reaches those who need it most by organizing the work of different humanitarian actors, managing the humanitarian response system, and facilitating funding through mechanisms such as the Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO) and the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
World Food Programme (WFP)
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian organization fighting hunger and promoting food security. The UN agency provides food assistance in emergencies and works to improve nutrition and build the resilience of vulnerable communities. WFP also manages the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), which ensures humanitarian access to the world's most remote and challenging locations.
United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)
UNHCR is the UN agency responsible for protecting and assisting refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons. It provides shelter, food, water, and legal assistance, and works to ensure the safety and support of displaced populations.
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
UNICEF focuses on the needs of children during humanitarian crises. The agency provides emergency food, water, health care and education, and seeks to protect children from violence, exploitation and abuse during humanitarian emergencies.
World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO coordinates the international response to humanitarian health emergencies. It provides medical supplies, supports health systems in crisis areas, and leads efforts to control disease outbreaks and pandemics.
Other relevant UN agencies
Other United Nations agencies that are key players in humanitarian assistance include
- the International Organization for Migration (IOM),
- the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA),
- the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),
- the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),
- and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
These are the agencies most responsible for providing emergency relief.
International Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
International non-governmental organizations are often the best visible actors on the ground, delivering relief directly to vulnerable populations. NGOs play a critical role in distributing humanitarian aid and advocating for the rights of vulnerable people. Here are some of the most influential.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Also known as Doctors Without Borders, MSF provides medical assistance in conflict zones, disaster areas, and regions affected by epidemics. It is known for its independent and impartial approach, frequently working in the most difficult and dangerous environments.
Oxfam
Oxfam is a global NGO that works on poverty alleviation, disaster relief and advocacy. It provides emergency relief such as food, clean water and sanitation, and works on long-term development projects to improve livelihoods and resilience.
CARE International
CARE focuses on fighting global poverty and providing humanitarian assistance in emergencies. It has a strong focus on women and girls, aiming to empower them and promote gender equality in its programs.
Save the Children
Save the Children is committed to improving the lives of children around the world. In emergencies, it provides food, health care, education and protection. The NGO also advocates for children's rights and promotes their well-being.
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
The IRC responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping people survive, recover and rebuild their lives. It offers emergency relief, resettlement services, and long-term development programs.
Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
The NRC is an independent humanitarian organization that assists people who have been forced to flee their homes. It is one of the world's largest NGOs supporting refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). The focus of the NRC is to provide urgent humanitarian assistance in the emergency phase of a conflict or natural disaster.
Concern Worldwide
Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organization that focuses on the world's most vulnerable people through the provision of emergency relief in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.
Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is a global humanitarian organization that aims to alleviate suffering and assist the world's most vulnerable people. The NGO's mission is to empower people affected by crisis, poverty and disaster to rebuild their lives and communities.
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the world's largest humanitarian network, with a unique mandate and structure. The Movement is made up of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
The ICRC has a special mandate under the Geneva Conventions to protect and assist victims of armed conflict and violence. It operates in conflict zones, providing medical care, protecting civilians and ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
The IFRC coordinates the global response of its 191-member National Societies during disasters. The umbrella organization provides disaster response, recovery and preparedness with a focus on community resilience and emergency health services.
National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
National Societies operate within their respective countries, providing disaster relief, health services and community-based programs. They are frequently the first responders in emergencies, working alongside national and local authorities and in close cooperation with the IFRC and ICRC.
Local and National Non-Governmental Organizations
Civil society organizations, such as local and national NGOs, as well as community-based organizations with intimate knowledge of the people they serve, are most often the ones providing humanitarian assistance to those in need.
Local NGOs
Local NGOs are usually the first responders in humanitarian emergencies. They have a deep understanding of the local context, culture and needs, which enables them to deliver aid effectively and efficiently. Their work is critical to reaching communities that may be inaccessible to international agencies.
National NGOs
National NGOs operate at the country level, scaling up the efforts of local NGOs and collaborating with international agencies. They play a key role in implementing programs, providing services, and advocating for policy changes within their home countries.
Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)
CBOs are grassroots organizations that work within specific communities to provide targeted assistance and mobilize local resources in times of crisis. Less organized than local NGOs, they are often led and managed by community members themselves and rely heavily on volunteers to carry out their activities.
Donor Governments and Government Agencies
Donor governments and agencies play a critical role in funding and delivering humanitarian assistance, typically in partnership with international organizations, UN agencies and NGOs. USAID, ECHO, the German Federal Foreigtypically n Office, and the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office are among the most important worldwide.
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
USAID is one of the world's largest humanitarian donors. It provides funding for disaster relief, food aid, and development programs, frequently working in partnership with NGOs and UN agencies. Its Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) is the US government's leading entity for international disaster relief.
European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)
ECHO is the European Union's humanitarian aid and civil protection agency. It funds relief efforts, supports disaster preparedness and works to ensure that humanitarian principles are respected. Humanitarian aid is provided to victims of crises and disasters by funding projects implemented by NGOs, UN agencies and the Red Cross movement.
German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt)
The German Federal Foreign Office is a major actor in global humanitarian aid, providing substantial financial and political support for humanitarian operations. Germany is one of the most important donors to the international humanitarian effort, and the Federal Foreign Office plays a key role in the shaping of humanitarian policy and strategy.
United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
The UK's FCDO - formerly the Department for International Development (DFID) - is a major donor to the humanitarian sector, providing financial aid, technical assistance and policy support to respond to global crises and foster long-term development.
Coordination Mechanisms and Actors
As coordination is a core function in the provision of humanitarian assistance around the world, there are several mechanisms, institutions and individual roles that promote this function, either at the global level or at the country level of those situations requiring relief action.
Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC)
The ERC is a key figure within the United Nations system responsible for coordinating international humanitarian efforts in response to emergencies. As the head of OCHA, the ERC oversees the global humanitarian response, advocates for access to affected populations and mobilizes resources. The Emergency Relief Coordinator is also the UN's top official for emergency response, representing the international humanitarian community in discussions with governments and other stakeholders.
Humanitarian Coordinators
The Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) is the most senior United Nations official in a country experiencing a humanitarian emergency. Humanitarian Coordinators are appointed by the Emergency Relief Coordinator.
Humanitarian Country Team (HCT)
The Humanitarian Country Team is a strategic and operational decision-making and oversight forum in each country facing a humanitarian crisis, established, led and chaired by the Humanitarian Coordinator. The HCT is composed of representatives from UN agencies, international NGOs and the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.
The Cluster Approach
The Cluster Approach is a coordination mechanism used by the UN to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian response. Different clusters (e.g. Protection, Health, Shelter, Food Security, Logistics) are led by specific UN agencies or NGOs to ensure that all sectors of the humanitarian response are covered and coordinated.
Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC)
The IASC is the primary forum for inter-agency coordination of humanitarian assistance, bringing together key UN and non-UN humanitarian partners to develop policies and guidelines for crisis response. The Committee is chaired by the Emergency Relief Coordinator.
International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA)
ICVA is a global network of over 160 non-governmental organizations whose mission is to make humanitarian action more principled and effective by working jointly and independently to influence policy and practice in a coordinated way. ICVA is a standing invitee of the IASC.
InterAction
InterAction is the largest US-based coalition of international NGOs and partners. It is a standing invitee of the IASC and plays a central role in providing a forum for consultation and coordination for its member organizations.
Research Institutions and Think Tanks
Research organizations, academic institutions, and think tanks contribute to humanitarian action through conducting research, providing analysis, educating, and advising on policy. Some of them focus on humanitarian issues.
ACAPS
ACAPS is an independent humanitarian analysis organization that provides critical insights and assessments to support effective humanitarian response. It offers in-depth crisis analysis, early warning and risk analysis to help humanitarian actors make informed decisions and prioritize their actions.
Centre for Humanitarian Data
Managed by OCHA and part of its Information Management Branch, the Centre supports the use of data in humanitarian operations and helps relief organizations make informed decisions based on reliable data. It focuses on increasing the impact of data in the humanitarian sector and ensuring a responsible approach to technology and data management.
Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG)
Part of the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), HPG is a leading research group focusing on humanitarian issues. It conducts research and makes policy recommendations to improve humanitarian action. Its Humanitarian Practice Network (HPN) is renowned for publishing insights and best practices in the field.
ALNAP
ALNAP, the Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance, promotes learning and accountability in humanitarian action by providing a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among practitioners and researchers. Its secretariat is based at ODI.
Summary
The humanitarian sector is a vast and complex network of organizations, agencies, institutions and forums, each playing a vital role in addressing the needs of people affected by crises. This overview is only a snapshot of the main players.
From UN agencies to local NGOs, from donor governments to research institutions, actors across the spectrum are working together, often in extremely challenging environments, to provide life-saving assistance and support recovery efforts.
Knowing who the key players are in humanitarian aid is essential to navigating this complex landscape and ensuring that relief efforts are coordinated, effective, and focused on the needs of people in crisis.
Further information
For more information on humanitarian actors, please visit our Directory of Humanitarian Aid Agencies, which provides brief descriptions of well-known and influential international UN agencies and NGOs, the DONARE Glossary, or our selection of Websites for Experts and Professionals.