In debates on humanitarianism in the last decade or so, ‘localisation’ has been a central concern, broadly referring to the transfer of decision-making power, resources, and responsibility to local and national actors. While the inclusion of certain actors such as local and national non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is relatively straightforward, incorporating others — like affected communities themselves or local less formal civil society — is often more complex. We argue that formal accountability mechanisms — systems that hold donors, NGOs, and implementing agencies responsible for their actions, decisions, and resource use — are valuable but can create an illusion of control in crisis settings. Humanitarian response is enacted by human beings, and it is ultimately human beings who hold each other to account. If accountability is truly understood as an opportunity to learn, grow, improve, in ways that include different stakeholders’ perspectives, it should be possible to achieve more reciprocal and genuine forms of accountability.
Editorial: Reimagining humanitarianism: relational accountability in locally-led responses Cindy Horst, Hilde Refstie, Cathrine Brun, Mohideen Mohamed Alikhan, Marta Bivand Erdal, Danesh Jayatilaka, Ahmed Musa, Eria Serwajja, Emmanuel Viga
Beyond accountability? Exploring the promises and challenges of citizen collectives Robin Vandevoordt
Reimagining diaspora humanitarianism in the digital age: exploring the near and far diaspora dynamics among Congolese refugees in Nairobi, Kenya Marie Godin, Cadeau Heritier
From accounting to accountability: social and relational accountability among civic humanitarian actors in Uganda Emmanuel Viga, Hilde Refstie
‘A trusted person is cursed’. Trust as an accountability mechanism in the Somali collective response to crises Ahmed Musa, Cindy Horst
Relational accountability dynamics in refugee-led education systems Hassan Aden
Using photovoice methodology to capture narratives of Sri Lankan Northern Muslims displacement Mohideen Mohamed Alikhan, Danesh Jayatilaka
Reflections Humanitarian accountability in an age of impunity — commentary to Vandevoordt Heidi Mogstad Filling the gap or taking the lead? Refugee led organisations in Uganda Keluel Agook , Kuol Arou, Siham Ahmed, Joyeux Mugisho, Simon Marot Touloung, Hilde Refstie What can we learn from locally led experiences in Sudan? Kari Eliassen-Viejo, Sian Olwen Rowbotham Discussions on locally-led humanitarian assistance amongst European INGOs and donors — shifting practices or challenging mental models? Sever Dzigurski, Cindy Horst
