Increased resources are now available to provide humanitarian support in underserved regions – thanks to the work of the Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA) with the support of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Usually we have limited resources to serve all needs in any region,” explains Abdur Rauf, Cordaid field coordinator for the DRA Joint Response in Afghanistan. “But working as part of an alliance gives us the opportunity to support underserved sectors.”

The structure of the DRA allows for improved cooperation and coordination between participating NGOs. This complementary way of working is a significant source of added value, according to Anne Nieuwenhuis, Save the Children field coordinator for the DRA Joint Response in South Sudan.

“For example in one community we have one partner working on WASH support, drilling bore holes,” Nieuwenhuis explains. “And at the same time we have a different partner, focussing more on hygiene awareness and hygiene promotion, working with child health clubs.”

“The Dutch Relief Alliance allows us to come up with interventions that are home-grown,” adds Wangari Wanjau, Save the Children field coordinator for the DRA Joint Response in Nigeria.

“We plan and implement together and we always involve the beneficiaries in what we do. We look at who is strong in certain sectors and we let these partners take the lead.”

Enhanced Results
All DRA Joint Responses draw on this complimentary power – and the results speak for themselves. Ahmed Hussein, Terre des Hommes field coordinator for the DRA Joint Response in Iraq, explains: “When I take a look at the children in our centres in Mosul, and see the smiles on their faces, I see hope that in the future the new generation can build a country in a better way. That they can have a better future.”

Mindagaus Danys, Dorcas field coordinator for the DRA Joint Response in Ukraine, believes humanitarian organisations should try to work closely whenever possible. “Everyone has something to share, so that the world becomes a better place,” he says. “Which means there are more resources available to everyone.”