Pictured above, Save the Children – a partner with the Australian Humanitarian Partnership – works with government to distribute humanitarian relief supplies on Efate, Vanuatu after twin tropical cyclones hit the country in March 2023. Credit: Elisa Mondou, Save the Children Vanuatu

By Ashlee Betteridge, Communications and Visibility Manager, Australian Humanitarian Partnership Support Unit – Alinea Asia-Pacific

According to the UN Global Humanitarian Overview, at the beginning of 2022, around 274 million people globally needed humanitarian assistance. By 2023, this number reached 339 million – a staggering 24 per cent increase. This means that one in every 23 people on the planet needs humanitarian aid.

Managing this rising and unprecedented demand is front of mind for those working in the sector.

World Humanitarian Day is an opportunity to reflect on the challenge and costs of rapidly escalating, complex crises. Historically, this day recognises the commitment and risk faced by those on the humanitarian frontline, commemorating the tragic deaths of 22 aid workers in a 2003 bomb attack in Baghdad. In this spirit, the theme for 2023 is #NoMatterWhat: Acknowledging humanitarian work is difficult and dangerous, but we cannot give up on our commitment to deliver life-saving assistance.

To rise to this challenge, aid workers need more than applause and gratitude for their sacrifices. Systems-level changes are necessary to have any chance of meeting the ever-growing demands on the humanitarian sector while supporting the often–overburdened individuals that comprise it.

Investing in preparedness, and local systems and capacity, is one path forward.

Australian Humanitarian Partnership Support Unit

Through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP), Australia is increasingly supporting local NGOs and civil society to take the lead on humanitarian response – a key tenant of the Grand Bargain – and better prepare and coordinate before disaster strikes. AHP is a partnership between the Australian Government and six leading Australian NGOs to save lives, alleviate suffering, and enhance human dignity in the face of conflict, disasters, and other crises. Alinea Asia-Pacific operates the AHP Support Unit, which provides a range of services, MEL, and communications functions to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and partner NGOs to facilitate the program.

While localisation is by no means a new discussion in the humanitarian space, the COVID-19 pandemic and other pressures moved the needle. For AHP, the clearest indicator is the pronounced shift in funding distribution to local partners for humanitarian response: Increasing from 21 per cent in 2018 to 48 per cent in 2023. This enhanced level of resourcing to local organisations, who are always first on the ground when crisis hits, is critical, but so are other forms of support.

The Pacific Islands are Australia’s nearest neighbours and among the world’s highest risk countries for disasters and climate impacts. Investments in resilience and preparedness, like the AHP Disaster READY Program, are not only a platform for increased local leadership, but a tool to support communities to take their own life-saving actions. This program supports communities in Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste.

Anticipatory Action

On this front, AHP recently launched a pilot program, with support of the Australian Government, to look at the role of Anticipatory Action in the Pacific with trials going ahead in in Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea.

There is a growing body of evidence that actions to support communities prior to an imminent hazard are a more cost-effective investment than responding after an event. Anticipatory Action refers to a set of interventions carried out when a hazard poses imminent danger based on a forecast, early warning, or pre-disaster risk analysis.

By shifting the focus of response to the pre-crisis space, Anticipatory Action allows humanitarians and affected communities to make informed decisions ahead of disaster events – saving time and money; preventing displacement, disease, and loss of livelihoods; and preserving the dignity of those affected.

AHP partners work tirelessly to respond to crisis, as well as to collectively support learning and constant improvement. The lessons taken from Anticipatory Action have the potential to support a more responsive humanitarian future in the Pacific and beyond.

#NoMatterWhat

The work of dedicated, global humanitarians will always be needed. However, innovations in preparation for and response to crises, particularly at the local level, will ensure this sector can continue to meet the growing challenge of saving lives and enhancing dignity. No matter where, no matter who, #NoMatterWhat.

alinea’s whistleblower policy

1.1 Purpose

The following Whistleblower Policy has been established to provide guidance to Alinea International employees and sub-contractors on how to deal with known or suspected improper conduct within the organization. The objectives of this Policy are to:

Create awareness of the Policy and available whistleblower protections
Act as a reference guide to potential whistleblowers wishing to make a disclosure
Define the structure of the whistleblower system, including reporting and investigation procedures, whistleblower protections, and confidentiality, among others
Improve the communication and transparency in the processes associated with whistleblowing and assure protection against derogatory consequences, namely reprisals and detrimental action
Complement the current communication channels between employees, sub-contractors and immediate managers, and hierarchical channels flowing to the President and Senior Management team
Provide guidance to all parties involved in either whistleblowing or whistleblower protection.

1.2 Scope

Alinea requires all employees and sub-contractors to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. All employees and sub-contractors of Alinea are required to comply with applicable laws and regulations of Canada and the countries where we operate. Any allegations of known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources will be dealt with in accordance with this Policy, and reasonable steps will be taken to protect those who come forward with allegations. Alinea’s Whistleblower Policy covers both internal and external whistleblowing, and establishes the controls and procedures for dealing with allegations of malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is intended to encourage employees and sub-contractors to report known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources and to enable Alinea’s Senior Management team to address and correct inappropriate action. It is the responsibility of all Board of Directors’ members, the Senior Management team, employees and sub-contractors to report concerns about known or suspected malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is applicable to all employees and sub-contractors of Alinea International.

1.3 Reporting Procedures

Alinea recognizes the value of transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices and supports the making of disclosures that reveal improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. Our internal controls and operating procedures are intended to detect and prevent malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. As detailed in Alinea’s Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals, employees and sub-contractors are encouraged to share complaints and/or concerns regarding ethical or legal violations with their immediate managers. If the employee or sub-contractor is not comfortable speaking with their immediate manager or is not satisfied with the response, they are encouraged to speak with the Gatineau or Calgary Office Managers, the Vice Presidents or, as required, the Chief Financial Officer. All members of the Senior Management team are required to report complaints and/or concerns about suspected ethical or legal violations in writing to Alinea’s Ethics Committee who has the responsibility to investigate all reported complaints and/or concerns. In the event that the complaint and/or concern is about the President, it should be raised by the employee or sub-contractor to their immediate manager or the Ethics Committee who will determine how the investigation will proceed. All reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective measures will be taken if warranted by the investigation. Alinea’s Ethics Committee is responsible for acknowledging receipt of the suspected violation and notifying the whistleblower of the outcome of the investigation. Anyone filing a written complaint concerning suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation. Personal grievances or complaints related to employment are not covered under Alinea’s Whistleblowing Policy. For cases such as this, employees and sub-contractors are advised to first refer to Alineas Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals when considering a disclosure under the Whistleblowing Policy. Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.

1.4 Confidentiality

Maintaining confidentiality is crucial to ensure reprisals are not made against the whistleblower. Alinea is committed to safeguarding the identity of the whistleblower and to protecting the whistleblower against detrimental action taken in reprisal for allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. The Ethics Committee is responsible for ensuring whistleblowers are protected from direct and indirect detrimental action, and that the culture of the workplace is supportive of suspected allegations being made. Any employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.

1.5 Review

Alinea is committed to implementing ‘best practice’ policies and procedures for dealing with allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources (as defined by this Policy) and the management and protection of whistleblowers making allegation(s). This Policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it meets the objectives of relevant legislation and remains effective for Alinea, and may be changed at the discretion of the Board of Directors at any time. For allegations of fraud, securities law, or human rights concerns, or when you are not satisfied or uncomfortable with following the Company’s open door policy, individuals should contact the Company’s Ethics Committee directly.

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World Humanitarian Day 2023: Rising to growing challenges