Global Development Policy and Learning

The Humanitarian Policy and Practice (HPP) program works with InterAction members to help shape the international humanitarian system, humanitarian policy, and humanitarian practice to more effectively save lives and alleviate human suffering.

Using our wide membership network, close relationships with UN leadership, and representative role on the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), the Humanitarian Policy and Practiceteam provides analysis and recommendations on engaging stakeholders on policy initiatives, facilitates dialogue between various actors, and provides strategic guidance on improving humanitarian assistance effectiveness.

The HPP team utilizes a variety of modalities, including use of member working groups; information-sharing and communications; workshops and learning events; convening and coordination of relevant stakeholders; and field missions. All contributing to,  and leading where necessary, inter-agency initiatives, reviewing and revising policies and standards, encouraging peer learning and exchange, coordinating and producing collective NGO messaging, and representation of the humanitarian NGO perspective within various fora.

HPP’s strategic outcomes include:

• NGOs maximize their collective influence and impact in humanitarian crises by leveraging their expertise.

InterAction works with members to ensure humanitarian policy and operations inform one another. Through its working groups and research projects, HPP creates an opportunity for NGOs to improve and implement professional standards and outcome-oriented approaches to reduce human suffering. Furthermore, HPP helps members amplify innovative and outcome-oriented solutions that enable NGOs to be empowered change agents.

• NGOs, donor governments, the UN, and other relevant actors come together and engage on critical issues. Humanitarian crises cannot be solved in a vacuum.

HPP promotes, coordinates and represents NGO contributions within inter-agency bodies (IASC, Grand Bargain, global clusters) as well as with donors, the United Nations agencies and advocates for policies, procedures, funding allocations, and behaviors to enable principled and effective humanitarian action.

• Policies and practices impacting people in humanitarian crises respond to NGO analysis of trends and transformational solutions proposed.

InterAction seeks to ensure that NGO experience, research, and thought leadership develops and drives solutions to complex problems that impact humanitarian responses. Our work includes seeking to reduce impediments to humanitarian action and mitigate their negative consequences, encouraging holistic approaches to displacement, and promoting policy and practice by the U.S., other States.