Themes and learnings from AidEx 2024
Attending AidEx 2024, the world’s leading humanitarian aid and disaster relief event, alongside my CTG and Chelsea Group colleagues was an exciting and educational experience. The two-day event unites thousands of humanitarian and development stakeholders from around the world, providing a unique platform for leaders to exchange ideas and share solutions.
Set against the backdrop of increasing violent conflict and humanitarian crises, AidEx emphasised the need for more efficient and adaptive aid strategies. Despite the growing need for assistance and services considering these developments, the sector is navigating shrinking budgets and urgent calls to rethink the status quo. Read on for a breakdown of the key themes discussed and how the humanitarian community is striving to adapt in a rapidly changing world.
CTG’s Lucy Holliday, Global Account Director and Reeya Patel, Business Development Manager with Abdullahi Hassan (USDI) and Albashir Ibrahim (OSDA) at AidEx2024.
Revitalising humanitarian assistance
This year’s theme at AidEx, ‘Revitalising humanitarian assistance – how do we deliver better aid in conflict-affected hot spots?’, inspired engaging, productive, and sometimes difficult conversations around existing humanitarian aid and development systems – and the crucial need for more innovative approaches. Stands displayed everything from tents to blockchain services, while panel discussions included harnessing Artificial Intelligence for humanitarian impact, improving Duty of Care, reviving forgotten toilet technology, and strengthening efforts to localise humanitarian and development operations – among many others. While AidEx certainly highlighted the challenges facing the sector, a sense of hope prevailed, driven by the deep commitment of attendees to create a lasting positive impact.
CTG’s stand at Aidex2024 in Geneva, Switzerland.
The conversations were engaging, productive, and sometimes difficult –driven by the crucial need for more innovation in aid delivery.
Localisation: shifting power dynamics for better aid delivery
Localisation was a dominant theme at AidEx, highlighting the gap between international and local actors, and the global community’s slow progress in transferring decision-making power to local stakeholders. Panelists and audience members discussed how local organisations remain constrained by donor priorities – priorities which often don’t align with needs on the ground.
Key challenges discussed included mismanaged funding, heavy reliance on international donors, and the limited resources of local groups, which compromise their ability to ensure staff safety. The solutions were clear: more trust, flexible funding, and equitable resource distribution. In the words of Anita Kattakuzhy, Director of Policy at NEAR Network, “If there is sufficient political will, change can happen very quickly.”
If there is sufficient political will, change can happen very quickly.
The optimism at AidEx came from the sense that through collective action, a more sustainable and equitable humanitarian framework grounded in localisation principles is achievable.
Leveraging partnerships for action
Another area of focus was the important but underutilised role of multi-sectoral partnerships, and the untapped potential of partnering with the private sector. Businesses can contribute resources and specialist expertise, but barriers from language, culture, and operational approaches often hinder collaborations between INGOs, NGOs and businesses.
So how do we overcome these barriers to drive more meaningful collaboration? The Danish International Development Agency’s Green Business Partnerships initiative provided a standout example. By funding projects that unite NGOs and businesses, this model reduces financial risk for NGOs and accelerates shared humanitarian goals.
Although cross-sector collaboration is still in its early stages, the hope is that collaboration will play a central role in driving future humanitarian and development impact.
Building cross-sectoral relationships with mutual understanding is key to driving progress.
Empowering women in conflict-affected areas
A major highlight for me was moderating the panel ‘Empowering women in conflict-affected areas’. With 2025 marking 25 years since the Women, Peace and Security Agenda was launched, efforts to grow women’s leadership in peace and security efforts must be amplified. Featuring Maria Krisch (Women Peace and Humanitarian Fund), Dr Mary Okumu (ForAfrika), Joyce Julian Acoko (Norther Ugandan Women’s and Orphans’ Support Organisation), and Cristina Munoz Pavon (Alianza por la Solidaridad), the panel brought together a wealth of expertise and experiences.
CTG’s Mia Zickerman-White with Dr. Mary Okumu – ForAfrika, Cristina Muñoz Pavón – Alianza por la Solidaridad-ActionAid, Maria Krisch – Women’s Peace & Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), Joyce Acoko – NORTHERN UGANDA WOMEN AND CHILDREN SUPPORT INITIATIVE INC at a panel discussion on Empowering women in fragile and conflict-affected areas.
We discussed solutions that go beyond acknowledging challenges, like empowering women economically and providing access to resources and funding. Joyce Julian Acoko passionately described her work uplifting widows in Uganda, emphasising, “We give them the microphone. We don’t speak on their behalf.” The consensus was clear: when women lead, entire communities benefit.
We give local women the microphone. We don’t speak on their behalf.
Building a better future
Despite a rapidly changing world with its conflicting challenges, AidEx 2024 left me with a sense of determination. The sector can do better – innovation, shifting power dynamics, and strong partnerships will be central to building the more equitable and sustainable future we need.
CTG is committed to helping create a more just and equal world across our sector and beyond. To learn more about our efforts, read our sustainability report here.