What’s on the horizon for foreign aid and humanitarian response strategies, especially in light of ongoing funding cuts to foreign aid around the world?
In this episode, Dr. Eric James, founder of Field Ready, shares how localization can make humanitarian aid faster, cheaper, and more effective. We talk about reducing dependency on outside supply chains and how putting tools directly into the hands of local community members builds long-term resilience.
Dr. James also tackles the harsh realities facing the aid sector today, including shrinking budgets and the rise of anti-intellectualism. This episode reflects both on what still needs to change and where to look for opportunities for innovation in instability.
Listen in to learn more:
11:08 - Rutger Bregman on tax avoidance and social impact
18:14 - 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Read More from Dr. Eric James:
Managing Humanitarian Relief
Articles and other books
Eric’s post-show recommendation - Sign up for regular summaries of changes in the humanitarian landscape from the International Humanitarian Studies Association
Field Ready
About Dr. Eric James
Eric is an international aid worker, social entrepreneur, and educator with over 25 years of experience in humanitarian work. He has worked extensively with various NGOs and the UN in disaster and conflict zones around the world. He currently teaches in various academic contexts, leads his nonprofit Field Ready, and works on innovative ventures focused on humanitarian response, leadership, and strategy. Dr. James is also the author of several books about foreign aid, including the widely used guide, Managing Humanitarian Relief.
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This episode was produced by WildfireCreative
Theme Song: “Turning Over Tables” by The Brilliance
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(Note to the listener: In this podcast, sometimes we'll host Evangelicals, and sometimes we won't. Learning how to “do good, better” involves listening to many perspectives with different insights and understanding. Sometimes, it will make us uncomfortable; sometimes, we'll agree, and sometimes, we won't. We think that's good. We want to listen for correction–especially in our blind spots.)
The Better Samaritan podcast is produced by the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College, which offers an M.A. in Humanitarian & Disaster Leadership and a Trauma Certificate. To learn more and apply, visit our website. Get your application fee to the HDL M.A. program waived with code TBS25.
Jamie Aten, Ph.D., and Kent Annan, M.Div., co-direct the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College and are the Co-Founders of Spiritual First Aid.
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