Shows
ALNAP podcastsPrinciples for prioritising & allocating humanitarian needs: A discussion with Hugo SlimIn this episode of 'A Matter of Priorities,' our host Alice Obrecht continues her conversation with Hugo Slim on his work with the Norwegian Center for Humanitarian Studies. The discussion focuses on more detailed principles for prioritising and allocating humanitarian resources, such as the principle of shared responsibility. He explores how geopolitical relationships and proximity can play a crucial role in defining and meeting humanitarian needs. The episode also includes an updated conversation with Hugo on the aid cuts taking place in early 2025 and how they could be undertaken with an eye to improving humanitarian aid. Hu...2025-04-2529 min
ALNAP podcastsResetting humanitarian needs: A discussion with Hugo SlimIn this episode of 'A Matter of Priorities,' as the sector as a whole looks at a 'humanitarian reset,' our host Alice Obrecht delves into the definition of a humanitarian need with Hugo Slim and how these boundaries might be redefined. The episode features insights from Hugo Slim, a senior research fellow at the University of Oxford, who discusses the need to redefine humanitarian needs through six theoretical approaches and three core questions that agencies should address. The conversation further explores the ethical dilemmas of prioritising short-term emergency aid over long-term recovery efforts, wi...2025-04-0225 min
ALNAP podcastsThe prioritisation challenge in focus: WFPIn this episode of A Matter of Priorities, our host Alice Obrecht takes a deep dive into the ripple effects of unprecedented budget cuts to the World Food Program (WFP). With a shortfall of over 50% in its 2023 budget, WFP faced its largest financial crisis in its 60-year history, forcing it to make drastic reductions in food and cash assistance across the globe. We explore how these cuts unfolded on the ground, particularly in Uganda, and the human toll they’ve taken. The discussions highlight the structural challenges, the human impact of these cuts — including heartbreaking exampl...2025-01-3124 min
ALNAP podcastsThe prioritisation challenge in focus: ICRCIn this episode of A Matter of Priorities, we explore the significant budget cuts faced by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and their far-reaching consequences. Established in 1863, the ICRC provides critical protection and assistance to people affected by armed conflict. However, in 2023, the organisation announced cuts amounting to 440 million Swiss francs, a drastic 16% reduction in its budget. Alice speaks with Olivier Ray, ICRC’s Director of Mobilisation, Movement, and Partnership, about the challenges of implementing such cuts, the ethical dilemmas involved, and the impact on both ICRC staff and the communities they serve. The int...2025-01-2118 min
ALNAP podcastsCounting the uncountableIn this episode, we discuss the role of evidence in resource allocation decisions, focusing on the new Joint and Intersectoral Analysis Framework (GF 2.0). We explore how this approach aims to address flaws in traditional needs assessments and improve transparency in humanitarian responses. You can find more on the JIAF 2.0 here: https://knowledge.base.unocha.org/wiki/spaces/hpc/pages/3992944652/JIAF And the most recent estimate of global humanitarian need, based on the JIAF 2.0 method, is here: https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/world/global-humanitarian-overview-2024-enarfres Guests: Leila Oliveira, Independent exp...2025-01-1432 min
ALNAP podcastsMind the gapIn 2023, funding for humanitarian assistance and protection declined by 20 percent, despite new major crises and the continuation of long-standing conflicts. And there are expectations that cuts will only continue into 2025. Many in the humanitarian sector are referring to this as a catastrophic ‘financial cliff’ that will have major implications for agencies and the communities that they serve.In this podcast episode, we delve into this ‘financial cliff’, asking experts how we measure and understand resource gaps in the humanitarian sector. We also ask whether this really is an unprecedented moment, looking into the data.Guests...2024-12-0921 min
ALNAP podcastsALNAP’s A Matter of Priorities: a podcast on tough choices in humanitarian funding trailerThe humanitarian principle of providing assistance to those in greatest need is facing unprecedented challenges. With funding decreasing and the number of people requiring support rising sharply, humanitarian donors and organisations are grappling with impossible decisions about who to prioritise and what needs to address.A Matter of Priorities dives into these dilemmas, examining how the sector makes complex choices when resources fall short of meeting overwhelming demand. From deciding who receives aid to redefining what constitutes humanitarian "need," this podcast brings together experts from across the sector to explore these pressing questions....2024-11-1503 min
Terms Of Reference PodcastTOR102: ALNAP with Alice ObrechtThe idea of innovation has become so popular in the development and aid community that, unsurprisingly, it is difficult to keep up. There seem to be forums, conferences, blogs (and yes, even this podcast) that are putting information out there for your consumption to the point of overwhelm and it can be difficult to cut through the noise to create a better understanding of what works - and more importantly - what doesn't when it comes to better serving those in need. Luckily, there are also people out there like Alice Obrecht who are helping to curate...2016-04-1249 min
Ethics, Law and Armed ConflictThe Ethics of Humanitarian AccountabilityAlice Obrecht (One World Trust) and Philip Tamminga (DARA) give a talk for Oxford Humanitarian Group/ELAC seminar series. Introduced by Hugo Slim.2013-08-0958 min