The future of AID: Engaging diasporas in Humanitarian crisis response

On March 18th, SFR attended the Humanitarian Action Initiative conference at George Washington University, where a discussion took place on how diaspora-led organizations mobilize resources to support crisis-affected regions and drive long-term development. With USAID, the world’s largest aid donor, facing significant cuts, we explored the critical role that diasporas play in shaping future aid frameworks and strengthening local capacity and self-reliance. The speakers included Dr. Jennifer Brinkerhoff from George Washington University, Simret Habtezgi from the Tigray Disaster Relief Fund, and Jessica Kanya-Ngambi from the African Diaspora Connection. They discussed the situations in Ukraine and Ethiopia, highlighting how diasporas mobilize, contribute, and respond to humanitarian crises in their countries of origin. It was truly fascinating to hear from these experts and listen to their real-life examples from their own countries.