Humanitarian actors press for effective localisation of aid in Bangladesh
Of promised 25% funds, only 6% reaching local initiatives, experts say
Humanitarian actors have called for stronger implementation of the Grand Bargain in Bangladesh, pressing donors and international agencies to honour commitments on aid localisation and accountability to affected communities.
The Grand Bargain, adopted at the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, requires at least 25 percent of funding to be channeled directly to local actors. However, only 6 percent of international funds currently reach Bangladeshi organisations.
According to a press release issued today, speakers at an international seminar in Dhaka, titled "Accelerating Grand Bargain 3.0 for Advancing Humanitarian Action in Bangladesh," voiced concerns over the slow pace of progress in fulfilling these pledges.
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Md. Iqbal Uddin of COAST Foundation demanded predictable and flexible support for local groups, while others criticised international NGOs for registering local branches to bypass genuine partners.
From the donor side, Matilda Svensson of the Embassy of Sweden said Sweden and SIDA already meet the 25 percent target. She warned against subcontracting models that marginalise local actors and stressed the need for equitable partnerships.
Shaheen Anam of Manusher Jonno Foundation called for accountability and transparency from both donors and implementers, while Gawher Nayeem Wahra of Disaster Forum said localisation must also cover knowledge, resources, and decision-making power.
Sudhanshu S. Singh of Humanitarian Aid International, citing an ALNAP study, reminded that only 6 percent of global humanitarian funding reaches local actors.
Grand Bargain Secretariat adviser Bjoern Hofmann said pledge fulfillment progress will be reviewed at the Annual General Meeting in Geneva this October.
The seminar brought together representatives from Christian Aid, ADAB, IFRC, World Vision, NRC Bangladesh, BRAC, Muslim Aid, BNNRC, and other organisations. Participants agreed that without genuine commitment, local groups will remain underfunded and humanitarian efforts in Bangladesh will fall short.
The event was co-hosted by COAST Foundation, BDCSO Process, and Cox's Bazar CSO-NGO Forum, moderated by COAST Foundation's executive director, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury.
