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The Humanitarian Finance Forum is a global network of professionals working in humanitarian finance. We provide a platform for collaboration, learning, and advocacy. Contact us today to learn more about our work and how you can get involved.

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Humanitarian Finance Forum Contact Us | Connect with Us to Learn More

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The London Summit brings together cross-sector experts to explore innovative disaster risk finance and insurance mechanisms to address the increasing humanitarian needs resulting from climate shocks, conflicts, pandemics/epidemics and crises challenges. 

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The London Summit

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Bringing together experts with AidEx participants to share public and private perspectives around the new and rapidly developing field of innovative finance, and to explore addressing funding needs for projects in LIC/FCSA settings.

AidEx 2023 - Innovative Finance Side Event

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Three key takeaways from our panel on Innovative Finance&nbsp;&nbsp;

Last month, The Forum concluded a successful year with our participation at the prestigious Doha Forum where we co-hosted a panel titled "Reimagining Financial Markets for Humanitarian Impact: The Role of Small States & Private Sector Partnerships," emphasizing the crucial role of innovative financing in addressing global humanitarian challenges. This blog from Simon Kingston, our panel moderator, offers three key takeaways from the discussion as we look ahead to 2024. 

Reflexions for Doha Forum 2023: Three key takeaways&nbsp;

Last month, the Humanitarian Finance Forum (The Forum) concluded a successful year with our participation at the prestigious Doha Forum, in collaboration with the Small States Programme at Georgetown University, Qatar. We co-hosted a panel titled "Reimagining Financial Markets for Humanitarian Impact: The Role of Small States &amp; Private Sector Partnerships," emphasising the crucial role of innovative financing in addressing global humanitarian challenges. &nbsp;
 Here are three key takeaways from the discussion as we look ahead to 2024:&nbsp;
 1. New Financial Tools in Humanitarian Aid&nbsp;
 Given the escalating demand for humanitarian aid driven by increasing conflicts and climate crises, the panel highlighted the necessity of developing new financing tools. By now, it is well understood that traditional funding mechanisms fall short of meeting increasing demands, leading to real-life impacts on vulnerable populations. Furthermore, the panellists note that increasing military conflicts and climate change-related disasters will continue to further pressure the current financing tools.&nbsp;
 Dr. Hossam Elsharkawi, Regional Director for Middle East and North Africa, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) pointed out that aid organizations are faced with a harsh reality, where saying &ldquo;no&rdquo; regularly to those in need has become part of his job. In this context, the need for anticipatory and preventative actions should be a cornerstone in the design of novel financing instruments to keep pace with growing humanitarian needs.&nbsp;
 2. Private Sector's Critical Role in Humanitarian Financing&nbsp;
 The panel underscored the importance of private sector involvement in closing the funding gaps for humanitarian aid. Private capital is more agile and has an incredible potential to create new financing tools. Private companies should aim to explore innovative financial instruments such as social impact bonds and ESG investments. These tools not only provide much-needed resources for humanitarian efforts but also align with the corporate social responsibility goals of many businesses.&nbsp;
 Natalie Marko Nietsch, Head of Social Sustainability, Standard Chartered Bank, referred to one of the bank&rsquo;s initiatives and its appeal to the private sector. In 2020, Standard Chartered launched a 1 billion USD not-for-profit Covid-19 facility which helped clients produce and disseminate essential pandemic supplies like sanitizers, facemasks, and ventilators. Natalie pointed out that the return of capital was essential for scaling private sector initiatives. Another successful example mentioned that demonstrates the potential of private-sector engagement was the IFRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) Insurance, incubated by The Forum and designed by the IFRC in partnership with Aon and the Centre for Disaster Protection. &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 3. The Power of Public-Private Partnerships&nbsp;
 Tackling humanitarian challenges requires a collaborative approach. Public-private partnerships are essential in pooling resources, expertise, and networks from both sectors to create more impactful and sustainable initiatives. &nbsp;
 Both public and private entities should seek to establish or strengthen collaboration. This can take various forms, from joint funding initiatives to knowledge-sharing platforms, fostering an environment where resources and expertise are utilized efficiently for humanitarian purposes. Risk needs to be shared and solutions co-created with both sides involved in understanding the shortcomings and necessary efforts. And most importantly, trust and relationship-building should be at the centre of all partnerships. &nbsp; &nbsp; The Forum underscores the need for innovative financial solutions in the humanitarian sector and encourages stakeholders to embrace private-sector engagement and foster collaborative public-private partnerships. &nbsp;
 For more information on contributing to these initiatives or exploring partnership opportunities, please visit <a href="../../../../../" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Forum's website</a> or contact us at info@hfforum.org. Together, we enhance the responsiveness and effectiveness of humanitarian aid systems and make significant strides towards meeting the urgent humanitarian needs of our time. &nbsp;
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If you would like to watch the full recording of this panel, please follow the link <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ7vtCqpawk&amp;ab_channel=DohaForum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. &nbsp;