Humanitarian Aid in the Polycrisis: Local and Systems Thinking Approaches

This policy brief explores how the humanitarian sector must adapt to increasingly complex polycrisis . It presents key recommendations for reimagining humanitarian aid to prevent a slide into permacrisis, emphasizing the need to shift from reactive, centralized models to locally led, systems-based approaches. Central to this transformation is empowering local actors through meaningful leadership, dismantling colonial power imbalances, and embedding systems thinking. The brief also highlights the importance of flexible, outcome-based funding, anticipatory action, and data justice, alongside inclusive governance structures that enable real-time, community-driven decision-making.