FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 1^st, 2022

Colombia: Localizing Humanitarian Action Key to Bring About Sustainable Change

Malteser International Americas Champions Localization Approaches in Humanitarian Aid

Cúcuta, Colombia

Malteser International Americas recently participated in a Humanitarian Conference on Localization, which took place in Cúcuta, Colombia from June 22 to 24,  aimed at discussing localization trends in humanitarian aid.

It is our organization’s belief that as international humanitarian actors we are true agents of change as we build the capacity of local actors and consider their local knowledge when implementing humanitarian and development programs.

Localization is a concept across the non-profit and business world that refers to adapting something (whether a product, program, or plan) to the local market, tweaking it to reflect the local context and appealing to a local audience. In a humanitarian context, localizing humanitarian action means ensuring that international organizations support local actors by building their capacity, and give them an increasingly important role in determining best practices for their local context. In light of this view, investing in local communities and local actors is just as important as investing in international ones and it brings a competitive advantage of knowing the local context better.

“We need to recognize the strength that local communities have in formulating solutions to the problems they face daily. Working in conjunction with international NGOs, local organizations should take the lead in humanitarian responses. We at Malteser International Americas are already implementing localization in our humanitarian projects. We are working with disabled rural communities to jointly develop and implement disaster risk reduction and response protocols. By ensuring that we involve local communities we are creating a multiplier effect and bringing about long-term sustainable change.” Jason Belanger, Humanitarian Coordinator, Malteser International Americas

Malteser International Americas has been part of the ToGETHER Initiative, a coalition of NGOs championing the concept of localization. The acronym stands for “Towards Greater Effectiveness and Timeliness in Humanitarian Emergency Response” and it stresses the importance of local actors in delivering a successful humanitarian response. The program will design and implement activities to increase the representation of local actors in the humanitarian systems, including them in relevant policy processes. Not only will local humanitarian partners have the chance to take part in capacity-strengthening activities (i.e. trainings, workshops, and mentoring opportunities), but they will also jointly formulate, develop and implement their own strategies.

When thinking of humanitarian emergencies, it only makes sense. Local actors are usually the first impacted by disaster and by default the first responders. They also have deep knowledge of the local context, trust within the community and are embedded in local networks. “Within the concept of localization, we have to dignify the local community agents working on sustainable changes”- Claudia Rodriguez Neira, Executive Director, Fundacion Halu Bienestar Humano

The localization conference in Colombia has brought about renewed focus on our commitment to localization. We will continue to work in partnership with the ToGETHER coalition to build sustainable change with local communities.

Attention editors:

Jason Belanger, Humanitarian Coordinator, Malteser International Americas, is available for interviews and sound bites

Press Contact: : Ilaria Ghelardoni, Communications and Marketing Manager / ilaria.ghelardoni@malteser-international.org