NGOs and Risk: Managing uncertainty in local-international partnerships (Global report)

In humanitarian settings where access is limited and risk is high, people’s ability to obtain assistance often rely on local partnerships between international and national aid organizations. However, there are countervailing pressures, such as intensifying financial scrutiny and legal constraints, that complicate and disincentivize these partnerships. The collision between the increased need for partnering and the growing pressures in the sector has aggravated national-international partnership dynamics, resulting in greater risks, hindrances and inefficiencies for responses in humanitarian settings.

This report explores how risk is perceived and handled in partnerships between international and national organizations working in humanitarian response. It is based on interviews with humanitarian practitioners in Nigeria and South Sudan, survey responses and reviews of policies from the participating organizations.