Humanitarian action in a changing landscape: fit for purpose?

The widening gap between humanitarian needs and the ability to deliver an effective response is one such challenge. On the one hand, the needs of people affected by armed conflict and violence are growing in scope and complexity, compounded by the worsening global financial and economic crisis. Poverty and hardship have become more
entrenched and chronic than ever, just as dwindling resources are putting governments (and humanitarian organizations) under unprecedented pressure. On the other hand, constraints to humanitarian access – be they military or political in nature – are making it increasingly difficult to address those needs. Syria is just one dramatic example, where the civilian population across the entire country is suffering the consequences of the intensifying fighting, yet the response of humanitarian organizations – facing major political and security constraints – falls dramatically short of the needs of the population.