Local NGO PHALS, with support from Malteser International, organized a landmark seminar on Quality Funding and Risk Sharing in humanitarian response, emphasizing the vital role of local organizations and communities during crises.
Titled “From Commitment to Action: Advancing Quality Funding and Risk Sharing”, the seminar was held under the Together Project and brought together representatives from UN agencies, local, national, and international NGOs, as well as civil society members.
The session began with a welcome address by Abu Murshed Chowdhury, Executive Director of PHALS. Presentations included an overview of the Together Project’s ongoing activities across eight countries by Mohammad Arif Dewan, Coordinator of Malteser International Bangladesh, and a keynote paper by Rashedul Hasan, PHALS Project Coordinator.
A plenary session on quality funding, risk sharing, and localization in humanitarian response was moderated by Abu Murshed Chowdhury. The panel featured distinguished participants include Md. Shariful Islam, Camp-in-Charge, Refugee Repatriation and Rehabilitation Commission (RRRC), A K M Morshed, Senior Director, BRAC,Shishir Dutta, Executive Director, BETA,Kirti, Country Director, Malteser International,David Bugdan, Principal Coordinator, ISCG, Bimal Chandra De Sarkar, CEO, Mukti Cox’s Bazar,Astrid, UNHCR, Representative,Marko Miljevic, Coordinator, NGO Platform, Shiuli Sharma, Executive Director, Jenas,Zobaida Akhter, Head of Field Office, Oxfam,Md. Mujibur Rahman, Advisor, Sushilon, Other attendees included President Cox’s Bazar Press Club Mahbubur Rahman media representatives, civil society leaders, and delegates from local, national, and international organizations, as well as UN agencies.
Speakers highlighted that local organizations and communities are the first responders during crises and continue to provide support long after international agencies leave. They stressed that despite global commitments to localization, direct funding to local actors remains limited, often routed through intermediaries, causing delays and higher administrative costs.
Key recommendations included: Increasing direct and flexible funding for local organizations, Establishing multi-year funding mechanisms, Covering administrative costs, Creating special funding pools to strengthen local initiatives, Developing risk-sharing policies among governments, donors, and international organizations based on equality.
In his opening remarks, Abu Murshed Chowdhury noted that humanitarian response has traditionally followed a risk-transfer model, shifting financial, legal, compliance, and security risks from international to local actors. He emphasized that the future of localization requires a collaborative approach grounded in trust, mutual accountability, and shared responsibility.
The seminar concluded with Shishir Dutta thanking all participants for their engagement and contributions.
