Remember wondering why you wasted so many hours in 'aid coordination' meetings? You are not alone.: ICVA / The New Humanitarian

The International Council of Volunatary Agencies has issued a new report on the dysfunctions of the aid coordination structures at country level, often the Humanitarian Coordination Team (HCT) meetings. The report is written from the viewpoint of the NGOs, but the issues apply equally to UN agencies. The New Humanitarian has published a brief review of the report in its "Inklings" column.

"Local humanitarian leaders are often unheard – literally. “Local actors – when in the room – spoke extremely rarely,”

"If meeting attendance were an Olympic event, then humanitarians would dominate the podium. But Humanitarian Country Team meetings, it turns out, are more of an endurance sport. Attending HCT meetings makes some feel “frustrated”, “demotivated”, “confused”, “lost”, and “tired”. "

"The frustration and sense of exclusion “speak to poor engagement and consultation, which has critical implications for good decision-making”, the report authors said. “Something is clearly not right.”

Key findings and recommendations from the report include:

"..... smaller meetings, clearer objectives, and dedicated time for perspectives from national NGOs, for example. Separate advice calls for recruiting leaders based on their “relational skills and emotional intelligence”

* Systemic issues: The report suggests that the challenges facing HCTs are systemic, rather than isolated incidents. 

* Trust is foundational: The report emphasizes the need for confidentiality, skill recognition, relationship building, risk-sharing, and the ability to admit mistakes to foster a trusting environment.

* Healthy conflict is essential: Effective decision-making often involves conflict. The report suggests that HCTs should create safe spaces for open and honest discussions, rather than avoiding difficult issues.

* Commitment is crucial: When team members feel involved in decision-making, they are more likely to be committed to the outcomes. The report emphasizes the importance of creating a culture where team members feel heard and valued.

Click here for the article "The Problem with Aid Coordination Meetings" in The New Humanitarian

Click here for the ICVA Report "Cracks in Coordination"