Sparking Global Change through Local Solutions: Humanitarian Actors & Civil Society convene in Bangkok for the Regional Humanitarian Partnership Week Asia Pacific 2024
Bangkok, 10-12 December 2024
The Regional Humanitarian Partnership Week (RHPW) 2024, a flagship event co-hosted by the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network (ADRRN), Community World Service Asia (CWSA), and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), is underway in Bangkok.
Bringing together over 400 participants from 300 organisations across 61 countries, the RHPW serves as a premier platform for humanitarian professionals, civil society, and private sector actors to share best practices, rejuvenate partnerships, and explore sustainable, community-driven solutions to pressing humanitarian challenges.
This year’s discussions hold heightened significance as the Asia-Pacific region faces escalating complexities in humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by climate change, political shifts, and funding constraints. Participants are delving into innovative and unconventional partnerships, beyond the humanitarian sector, designed to foster resilience and self-sufficiency, and champion locally led solutions.
“The numbers show disasters per year, per month, and per week soaring in Asia and the Pacific. It is a stark reality that busy times are ahead for humanitarians and our partnerships. So, it is important that I see so many of these good people here in the room today,” shared Vincent Omuga, Head of Office, a.i., OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in his opening address.
Rethinking Partnerships
Day one kicked off with vibrant conversations on rethinking partnerships to ensure they are equitable, inclusive, and diverse. Participants were encouraged to step out of their comfort zones and embrace partnerships that prioritise equity and local leadership.
The 2024 theme “Sparking Global Change through Local Solutions in Humanitarian Action” has resonated throughout the event, emphasising the importance of grassroots solutions.
Key Insights and Collaborative Solutions
RHPW 2024 is providing a platform to address urgent concerns voiced by humanitarian partners, such as leveraging technology for resilience and the pivotal role of communities and faith actors in driving climate action and anticipatory measures. Dedicated sessions explored gender inclusion, emphasising partnerships that amplify the voices of women, children, and persons with disabilities in humanitarian and climate programming.
A vibrant marketplace has been set up for the three-day event, offering participants a space to share insights, tools, and best practices while fostering cross-sector collaboration. Notably, sessions on technology, community leadership, and climate-focused initiatives have drawn significant engagement.
Driving Change, Year After Year
As the RHPW grows in scale and influence, it continues to be a vital space for dialogue, collaboration, and actionable insights. As co-organiser Keya Saha-Chaudhury notes, “Each year, RHPW pushes the boundaries of what is possible in humanitarian work, fostering partnerships and solutions that are both innovative and essential to addressing today’s global challenges. And it is the partnership between CWSA, ADRRN and ICVA that makes this important event possible.”
