Diaspora Humanitarianism: Transnational ways of working

Humanitarian action is today implemented by various actors with different norms, principles and definitions of what it means to serve humanity and how aid should be implemented in practice. There’s a growing interest by key stakeholders of the humanitarian system in relief efforts of diaspora communities in the northern hemisphere for enhanced access, cultural and language skills, local knowledge, trust and networks with affected communities.

This report outlines the basic features of formalized collective interventions by Sierra Leonean, Somali and Syrian diaspora-based relief organisations and initiatives based in the United Kingdom, Denmark and Germany. Furthermore, potential areas of increased and more effective cooperation and coordination between ‘conventional’ and diaspora humanitarian actors are elicited.