Watan Development and Initiative Organization (WDIO)
The future of humanitarian NGOs
As we address some of the immediate challenges relating to country development, we are also looking at the longer term for NGOs parts and how to support the way NGOs navigate change. The future of NGOs in the humanitarian sector is not simply an important question for NGOs; it is an important question for the sectors like Education, Health, and Agriculture.
A question is framed by WDIO in its WDIO-2030 process looking at adaptations in the ways of working and at the future of WDIO’s added value.
The current economic and political trends may well see a number of NGOs with insufficient resilience to survive the shocks. This may result in a consolidation within the NGO sector and a reduction in the diversity and complexity of NGOs. The humanitarian system would in its turn be at risk of being less resilient than it is today. International NGOs, national and local NGOs, and community-based organizations need to find new ways of working together and with others and write the future of humanitarian NGOs. The choice we have is about adaptation, collaboration, and re-discovering roles. This requires all of us to consider how power can be shifted, accountability improved, social connections built and trust strengthened.
NGOs themselves are best placed to write their future, so long as they are able to act from a willingness to be reactive to the needs of the people they desire to serve, rather than protect the status quo within the system.
Haroon Mohammadzai
Executive Director
