Blogs and Articles
Find the Gaps, Fill the Gaps: reflections on GISF’s journey and our vision for the future
An anniversary is usually an occasion to celebrate. And reflecting on my one year in post as Executive Director of GISF, I can see that there is a lot to celebrate. We have increased our funding, and have a suite…
Running in Place: Security risk management in humanitarian operations
Humanitarian aid workers are more likely to die from violence than any other job-related cause. Last year was especially brutal, with upwards of 260 aid workers killed — more than double the average of the prior three years. …
Access to justice: Aid workers’ overlooked right to legal aid
In 2022, 444 aid workers were injured, kidnapped, or killed worldwide. Among the aid workers working on the front lines trying to deliver life-saving aid, national staff were overwhelmingly the victims and survivors…
Protecting humanitarian and health actors: a collective responsibility
Security threats facing humanitarian and health workers have hit record levels in recent years, with modern warfare taking a heavy toll on the sector. In 2022, the Aid Worker Security Database recorded at least 444 attacks against aid workers,…
World Humanitarian Day 2023: two decades on, what has changed?
World Humanitarian Day is held on 19 August each year, commemorating the devastating 2003 Canal Hotel bombing in Baghdad, Iraq. This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by humanitarians. Two decades later, we are…
Climate Change and Security: how do we move the conversation forward?
We all know climate change is catastrophic. In the past few weeks alone, we’ve read the figures and seen the pictures of wildfires still ongoing in Greece, more fires spreading into the US from Canada,…
Humanitarianism in the Central African Republic: a context analysis
Dan Ford recently went on a research trip to the Central African Republic as a research assistant for a project co-run by GISF and Humanitarian Outcomes. This research is part of a larger project that is expected to be published…
Kidnap and Ransom: choosing the right policy for your NGO
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) can become targets for various reasons. While NGOs are typically driven by noble causes and engage in humanitarian or developmental work, there are certain factors that may make them vulnerable to targeting, including perceived influence, access to…
Harnessing Collective Insights for Improved SRM
From content to collaboration, the 2023 GISF Spring Forums in Ottawa and Eschborn were filled with dynamic discussions. Across over 10 sessions, participants dove into the latest debates on HEAT training, the role of climate change in shaping…