Yesterday
The piece captures something real about the current moment. The humanitarian system is not only under financial strain; it is experiencing a crisis of confidence and legitimacy. Reflecting on the narratives that shape humanitarian action is therefore understandable.
Few would dispute the principles the authors outline. Emphasising dignity over pity, recognising the centrality of local response, treating crisis assistance as a public good, and acknowledging multiple humanitarian traditions are all sensible propositions. Variations of these ideas have circulated for decades, particularly through critiques from practitioners and scholars in the Global South.
The problem is not conceptual disagreement. The humanitarian sector has become effective at producing new narratives about change while leaving the underlying system largely intact. Reform language evolves faster than reform itself. The question, therefore, is not whether a better narrative is needed, but whether narrative is the constraint.
Humanitarian action today is shaped less by discourse than by money, risk, and control. Donor priorities, contracting models, compliance systems, media-driven fundraising, and competition among large organisations determine what happens in practice. These forces explain why international actors still dominate resource flows despite the routine acknowledgement that most crisis response is local. They also explain why visibility often counts more than prevention, and reporting compliance more than outcomes. In this context, calls for narrative renewal risk sounding familiar: another layer of reflection added to a system already rich in diagnosis but resistant to redistribution of power.
Humanitarianism does not lack analysis. The sector’s history is filled with widely accepted critiques, relating to local participation, resilience and accountability to affected populations, that produced extensive guidance and frameworks, but few shifts in decision-making authority and financing structures.
Narratives can support reform, but they rarely drive it. More often, they consolidate changes that material conditions have already forced. Institutional behaviour tends to follow funding models, risk allocation, and political priorities, not conference themes.
What makes the present moment potentially different is not the emergence of a new humanitarian story, but the arrival of financial contraction. Shrinking budgets may succeed where years of policy debate have not. Scarcity has a way of forcing decisions that consensus processes avoid.
For decades, the system has been able to postpone difficult choices about who controls resources, who assumes risk, and which functions are genuinely indispensable. That period may be ending.
If the current funding environment leads to real shifts in decision-making authority, partnerships with national actors, and the distribution of resources, then a new narrative will likely follow. The challenge, in other words, is not to tell a better story about humanitarianism. It is to change the system the story describes.
Few would dispute the principles the authors outline. Emphasising dignity over pity, recognising the centrality of local response, treating crisis assistance as a public good, and acknowledging multiple humanitarian traditions are all sensible propositions. Variations of these ideas have circulated for decades, particularly through critiques from practitioners and scholars in the Global South.
The problem is not conceptual disagreement. The humanitarian sector has become effective at producing new narratives about change while leaving the underlying system largely intact. Reform language evolves faster than reform itself. The question, therefore, is not whether a better narrative is needed, but whether narrative is the constraint.
Humanitarian action today is shaped less by discourse than by money, risk, and control. Donor priorities, contracting models, compliance systems, media-driven fundraising, and competition among large organisations determine what happens in practice. These forces explain why international actors still dominate resource flows despite the routine acknowledgement that most crisis response is local. They also explain why visibility often counts more than prevention, and reporting compliance more than outcomes. In this context, calls for narrative renewal risk sounding familiar: another layer of reflection added to a system already rich in diagnosis but resistant to redistribution of power.
Humanitarianism does not lack analysis. The sector’s history is filled with widely accepted critiques, relating to local participation, resilience and accountability to affected populations, that produced extensive guidance and frameworks, but few shifts in decision-making authority and financing structures.
Narratives can support reform, but they rarely drive it. More often, they consolidate changes that material conditions have already forced. Institutional behaviour tends to follow funding models, risk allocation, and political priorities, not conference themes.
What makes the present moment potentially different is not the emergence of a new humanitarian story, but the arrival of financial contraction. Shrinking budgets may succeed where years of policy debate have not. Scarcity has a way of forcing decisions that consensus processes avoid.
For decades, the system has been able to postpone difficult choices about who controls resources, who assumes risk, and which functions are genuinely indispensable. That period may be ending.
If the current funding environment leads to real shifts in decision-making authority, partnerships with national actors, and the distribution of resources, then a new narrative will likely follow. The challenge, in other words, is not to tell a better story about humanitarianism. It is to change the system the story describes.
Thomas Ekvall commented on "Central Park - The Gates: Detlef Palm"
Feb 4, 2026
Ah yes, from saffron-colored gates to tilting at Xi’s windmills via traditional archery. Not quite the scenic route, but an impressive one nonetheless.
You’re probably right: less breast-beating, more lobbying; fewer elegies for multilateralism, more actual middle powers stepping up. I do admire the UN, but like Christo’s Gates, it manages to leave absolutely no trace on the landscape while consuming vast quantities of fabric, labour, and goodwill.
It is also comforting to know that while the New World Order is being reshaped (possibly by Indonesia, possibly by Peru, possibly by Finland), at least someone is still horse-riding, archery-shooting, and cooking Indo-Tibetan food with Canadian beer. Civilisation endures.
If nothing else, this comment proves one thing: the UN may be dysfunctional, but its alumni remain gloriously overqualified, stubbornly idealistic, and entirely unwilling to go quietly into retirement. Which, in its own way, is rather uplifting.
You’re probably right: less breast-beating, more lobbying; fewer elegies for multilateralism, more actual middle powers stepping up. I do admire the UN, but like Christo’s Gates, it manages to leave absolutely no trace on the landscape while consuming vast quantities of fabric, labour, and goodwill.
It is also comforting to know that while the New World Order is being reshaped (possibly by Indonesia, possibly by Peru, possibly by Finland), at least someone is still horse-riding, archery-shooting, and cooking Indo-Tibetan food with Canadian beer. Civilisation endures.
If nothing else, this comment proves one thing: the UN may be dysfunctional, but its alumni remain gloriously overqualified, stubbornly idealistic, and entirely unwilling to go quietly into retirement. Which, in its own way, is rather uplifting.
In Response to a comment by Unknown
Unknown commented on "Central Park - The Gates: Detlef Palm"
Feb 4, 2026
Aah Detlef: Given the exisential challenges now faced by the UN system, I have largely stopped participating in the collective hand wringing and breast beating by ex UNICEF wallahs. EX UN folks should now be lobbying in their countries at the Political level to ensure that both at the GA and the other statutory bodies, there is support for keeing a viable UN system in place -- this needs commitments for resources and for the over riding need to retain and infact strenghten the global systems. Time for middle powers and regional actors to reshape the New World Order...Indonesia, South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria (?) Algeria, India, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Brauzil. Mexico, Chile, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Peru, Columbia, etc....Anyway tried to connect with the UNICEF national committee, but they are very UNICEF focused and not really interested in what Old Farts have to say. Given the dysfunctions of the UN lobbying agency by agency is the way to irrelevance. for those of us who believe in multilateralism as the way to manage the global commons, also know that its not just the US, Russia and the PRC that game and trip the UN, many other actors, down to warlords and local dictators now know that they can cock a snook at the UN sans reproach. In the meantime the world hands us the work they do not want. Cannot for the life of me make sense of why the horrors of the Sudan ( regional actors deeply involved) has garnered so little attention -- guess social media influencers are not interested. Anyway, in Don Quixote mode, already tilting at the Xi windmill about Tibet ( for which we were sanctioned with Uyghyr colleagues and Human Rights defenders by the PRC) so happy to tilt for the support for multilateralism. The US antipathy to the UN is long seated, I sensed that in my first posting in Myanmar 1981 and it was in some measure played out in many duty stations -- collective action and collective support is not just their thing. Control. So like many things Trump and his ilk have just collected what existed and turbo charged it...happily, I am still doing my traditional archery and still horse riding regularly -- channeling my ancestors. 6 years ago an HR person suggested that I would not be able to withstand the rigors of working a a volunteer in difficult circumstances -- I asked her if she had ever ridden a horse or swum a kilometre!! If you ever in Canada, let me know, will cook u a Indo-Tibetan meal with Canadian wine and Beer...Meanwhile from sunny Mexico, Zihuatanejo to be precise...Greetings...
Unknown commented on "Should News Links continue? : Tom McDermott"
Feb 4, 2026
I always praise those who post what I read in a variety way in different countries. If it could continue please let it do so.
fescher hut commented on "Should News Links continue? : Tom McDermott"
Feb 3, 2026
I particularly appreciate insider news about UNICEF that may not be easily available through other channels.
Unknown commented on "Should News Links continue? : Tom McDermott"
Feb 3, 2026
Although I am new to xUNICEF, I have already gone through the news link and find it very interesting. I hope it continues!
Feb 3, 2026
Right. The same way that he "very easily" fixed US:global trade deficits LOL - when will we learn to disregard statements like this?
Feb 3, 2026
Shut down UNICEF (and other UN agency) regional offices and the UNRC system - that would save a few billion. Drastic times call for drastic measures. We cannot afford to be an onion with too many layers.
Feb 3, 2026
Thanks for this - a great idea to give those who left voluntarily, involuntarily or otherwise a place to go to once they leave UNICEF. This could shape the direction of XUNICEF in an interesting way.
Feb 2, 2026
Thanks Nilourfar . Very Good idea. Gertrude
Paula Claycomb commented on "Good vibes for News & Views beyond March : Tom McDermott"
Feb 2, 2026
Thanks to the small band of "editors" and regular contributors over the years. Closing down XUNICEF would leave an empty space in my heart. Hope those Brave Nine will keep it going.
Paula Claycomb commented on "Mini-reunion in Amman : Mary Sidawi"
Feb 2, 2026
Lovely photo and how wonderful to get together!
Feb 2, 2026
"When I'm no longer around to settle wars, the U.N. can. It has tremendous potential. Tremendous." Great to see some succession planning in operation...
Feb 2, 2026
Well done Niloufar. I also did a similar announcement on the different UNICEF networks, and 6 new retirees joined the local network, and in the process of subscribing to the global XUNICEF. There is quite a large number of people out there because of the ongoing separations, especially those that took place during December 2025.
Feb 2, 2026
So could I. And I'm far more qualified. Waiting for the call.
Feb 2, 2026
Sir Mark Tully was a part of our growing up years in India for the news! May his soul rest in peace!
In Response to a comment by Sharif Alam
Unknown commented on "Central Park - The Gates: Detlef Palm"
Feb 1, 2026
Hi Detlef,
So uplifting and positive in these difficult times. I remember the exhibition as well as David Bowie !
Excellent !,
Alles Gute
Liselotte
So uplifting and positive in these difficult times. I remember the exhibition as well as David Bowie !
Excellent !,
Alles Gute
Liselotte
Fouad commented on "Missing You - Howard Dale, RIP : Sad news shared by Oscar Fernandez"
Jan 31, 2026
So sad to learn about the passing of our colleague Howard . Got to know and enjoy his comradeship in the many years we worked in HQ. Howard and Eirah were a wonderful couple who loved life . We also enjoyed their hospitality while in Geneva. May he rest in Peace.
Fouad commented on "Remembering Dr. William Foege : Kul Gautam"
Jan 31, 2026
Thank you Brother Kul for a remarkable tribute to a memorable human being. Although I had no direct dealings with Dr. Foege I could not but smile at your account of his unsuccessful appointment to succeed Jim Grant as UNICEF ExDir. You will recall I was Director of Division of Personnel at that time and much of what transpired in the field of political machinations in that process I was privy to. There are other nuggets of happenings in that saga which I remember. The bottom line however is that Dr.Foege was indeed a great humanist and scientist and his contributions to the public health field will long be remembered.
Niloufar Pourzand commented on "Missing You - Howard Dale, RIP : Sad news shared by Oscar Fernandez"
Jan 31, 2026
Rest in peace
Niloufar Pourzand commented on "Good vibes for News & Views beyond March : Tom McDermott"
Jan 31, 2026
Thank you for all efforts Tom and glad that the Newsletter in some form or shape can continue. It is needed now more than ever.
Niloufar Pourzand commented on "Outreach to the many former or current UNICEF staff facing retirement or separation : Niloufar Pourzand"
Jan 31, 2026
I see that over 13,000 have seen this post after 2 days and over 50 new XUNICEFers have reached out to join our Network in 2 days.
- Get link
- X
- Other Apps
Labels
Comments
Labels:
Comments
- Get link
- X
- Other Apps
Comments
Post a Comment
If you are a member of XUNICEF, you can comment directly on a post. Or, send your comments to us at xunicef.news.views@gmail.com and we will publish them for you.