NEWS - STAY UP TODATE
An overview of the latest news, stories and activities undertaken by the Dutch Relief Alliance and our joint responses.
VACANCY: Internship Dutch Relief Alliance starting in February 2025
The Dutch Relief Alliance is looking for a new intern to help strengthen the team.
Notice: Beware of Phishing Emails Impersonating the Dutch Relief Alliance
It has come to our attention that phishing emails have been sent from our account impersonating the Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA) office. We are taking this matter very seriously and are actively working to investigate and secure our systems.
Important Reminder: DRA Will Never Request Personal Information or Donations by Email
New Report Calls for Stronger Focus on Locally Led Humanitarian Action at Upcoming Geneva Summit
Ahead of the Grand Bargain Annual Meeting in Geneva, a new report has been released by the Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA), shedding light on the importance of locally led humanitarian action. The report, titled Grand Bargain 3.0: The Story of the Dutch Relief Alliance, emphasizes the need for a paradigm shift in how global humanitarian aid is delivered, prioritizing local leadership and sustainable partnerships.
Impressive publication on the Afghanistan Herat Earthquake Joint Response
In October last year, the Afghan province of Herat was struck by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake. Dutch humanitarian organisations and their Afghan partners rushed to support the survivors. One year after, the Joint Response organisations produced a poignant report on the disaster and the emergency response: When every second counts: Humanitarian reponse after the Herat Earthquake.
Dutch Relief Alliance Publishes Report on Risk Sharing Pilot in Humanitarian Programming
The Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA), in collaboration with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has released a comprehensive report detailing the outcomes of their “Risk Sharing Pilot in Humanitarian Programming.” This initiative, launched in 2024, focused on exploring risk-sharing strategies in humanitarian contexts across three country programs: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and Yemen.
#KeepEyesOnSudan: extra humanitarian assistance for communities on the verge of famine
Due to the war in Sudan, the risk of famine is striking Sudan hard. According to a new publication of IPC, the international food insecurity standard, half of the Sudanese people is facing malnutrition. The Dutch Relief Alliance, present in Sudan for several years, is now launching an extra Acute Joint Response of three million euros.
VACANCY: Internship Dutch Relief Alliance starting in September 2024
The Dutch Relief Alliance is looking for a new intern to help strengthen the team. Starting in September 2024 for a duration of 5 months, between 32-40 hours a week.
DRA Gaza Joint Response consortium statement on UNRWA
The Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA) Gaza Joint Response consortium welcomes the findings and recommendations of the independent review on the adherence of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to the humanitarian principle of neutrality. The review group, led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, concludes that UNRWA has the most elaborate set of rules in place to ensure neutrality and that it is irreplaceable and indispensable to Palestinians in Gaza as a humanitarian lifeline.
VACANCY: Internship Dutch Relief Alliance starting in February 2024
The Dutch Relief Alliance is looking for a new intern to help strengthen the team. Starting in February 2024 for a duration of 5 months, between 32-40 hours a week.
Making a difference in Yemen, with women in charge
In Yemeni society, women are among the most vulnerable groups affected by the ongoing war in the country. They face gender inequalities associated with highly complex social norms, as well as challenges in the political and legal system. To protect themselves and provide support to their families and children, Yemeni women especially need awareness of their rights. It turns out women-led groups play a leading role when it comes to providing that support.
Sudan’s war passed 200 days, with most of the world looking away
The ongoing power struggle between military groups in Sudan has forced millions from their homes and left the population in dire humanitarian needs, both in country and in neighbouring countries. Plan International, lead in the Acute Crisis Joint Response in Sudan, is alarmed by reports of sexual violence against girls and women and ethnic attacks by armed groups against civilians.
Protect civilians and ensure unhindered access for humanitarian actors in Gaza
Dutch Relief Alliance partners are calling on all parties to protect civilians and to ensure safe and unhindered access for humanitarian actors in Gaza. Dutch Relief Alliance partners have started an Acute Crisis Joint Response to assist people in need of urgent humanitarian aid in Gaza. As a result of the escalation of violence on 7 October 2023, a humanitarian crisis is unfolding on an unprecedented and alarming scale.
Dutch Relief Alliance starts Acute Crisis Joint Response in Gaza strip
Dutch Relief Alliance partners, in partnership with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are preparing to launch an Acute Joint Response to assist people in need of urgent humanitarian aid in Gaza. As a result of the escalation of violence, the humanitarian crisis is rapidly increasing in scale. People have limited or no access to basic needs such as water, food, healthcare and shelter.
Joining hands for Afghanistan
Violence, food shortages, economic hardship, natural disasters, poor health care: Afghanistan has been facing major crises for decades. That is why the partners of the Dutch Relief Alliance have joined forces to organise a range of relief activities in the Afghan provinces of Nangarhar and Herat. Watch this short documentary, produced by SAW Afghanistan.
Dutch Relief Alliance starts Acute Crisis Joint Response in Libya
Dutch Relief Alliance partners Stichting Vluchteling, CARE Nederland, Cordaid, and Terre des Hommes join hands and respond to the humanitarian needs that are rapidly worsening since storm Daniel hit eastern Libya. This Acute Joint Response starts 17 September and will last six months. Life saving activities are being implemented in the east of Libya and include Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Health, Emergency Food Security & Livelihoods, Shelter & Non Food Items, Protection and Multipurpose Cash Assistance.
World Humanitarian Day 2023: Supporting humanitarians #NoMatterWhat
On the 19th of August we come together to celebrate World Humanitarian Day. We pay tribute to the humanitarian workers who provide lifesaving work to communities affected by crisis the world over. To show support the Dutch Relief Alliance is highlighting some of the humanitarians working in our Mozambique, Somalia, Sudan and Syria Joint Responses. In difficult circumstances, communities in need can count on them #NoMatterWhat.
ZOA is recruiting a consultant for the Syria Earthquake Joint Response
The Syria Earthquake Joint Response is a 6-months crisis response project that will end on 10 August 2023. The aim of the project is to provide life-saving assistance to people severely affected by the earthquake. ZOA in the Netherlands, as lead of the Dutch Relief Alliance consortium, is looking for a consultant based in the Netherlands or abroad with extensive experience in conducting assessments and a good understanding of the Syrian context to conduct the external end evaluation.
Seawater becomes clean drinking water in Yemen Joint Response
Yemen is known as one of the countries with the greatest water scarcity in the world. About 18 million people do not have access to safe, clean drinking water or sanitation facilities. Lack of clean drinking water is becoming one of the biggest challenges people will face in the coming years. Within the Yemen Protracted Joint Response, CARE and partner Elemental Water Makers, have been working on a possible solution.
VACANCY: Communication Internship starting in September 2023
Are you looking for a meaningful internship in the humanitarian sector? The Dutch Relief Alliance is looking for a communication intern, starting within September 2023, exact start date flexible, for 4-5 months, between 32-36 hours per week. This internship combines conducting communication research with gaining hands-on experience in the communication work field.
VACANCY: Internship Dutch Relief Alliance starting September 2023
The Dutch Relief Alliance is looking for a new intern to help strengthen the team. Starting as of September 2023 for a duration of 5 months, between 32-40h a week.
“We have to shoot for the stars and land on the moon”
Improving effectiveness by leveraging local knowledge, context awareness and connections with communities. Localisation contributes to more equitable partnerships between local and international actors. For those reasons locally led action is one of the key priorities of the Dutch Relief Alliance. In this interview Shahida Suleiman, the chair of our Local Advisory Group and Deputy Director at Save Somali Women and Children (SSWC) tells us how we are doing on localisation. What is needed and how an we improve?
Beyond 2.0: Dutch Relief Alliance and the Grand Bargain Commitments
At the heart of the Dutch Relief Alliance lies the ambition to put the Grand Bargain commitments into practice. In the run up to the Grand Bargain Annual meeting in Geneva, we published our yearly review on the current state of affairs in the alliance. How did we do this year? Read all about it in our publication: Beyond 2.0: Dutch Relief Alliance and the Grand Bargain Commitments.
Myanmar & Sudan: acute crises lead to new joint responses.
As complex crises unfold in Myanmar and Sudan, the alliance introduces two new acute joint response. Over a month ago conflict erupted in Sudan putting millions of people in need of humanitarian assistnace. On the other side of the globe crises struck Myanmar as it had to deal with the ravages of Cyclone Mocha. Through our Acute Crisis Mechanism, we have managed to launch a quick response meant to effectively deal with the determined needs of the affected people.
“Understanding the challenges before we search for solutions” new innovations launched
The Dutch Relief Alliance is excited to start three new innovation projects that intend to tackle challenges identified in the Somalia, Syria and Ethiopia Protracted Joint Responses. Two more innovation projects are in the pipeline for the South Sudan and Yemen Joint Responses. As the alliance will participate in the RILx23 next week, let’s look closer at what these projects will entail. How do they count on meaningfully taking on challenges faced by these crises?
The Somalia Joint Response Comes to an End, a Cause for Celebration?
Being in a chronic state of emergency, Somalia is not often in the news as a place where people celebrate. Then how come Sandra Kabiru, the country coordinator from World Vision international, is calling for a celebration? After a six-month Acute Response, launched due to prolonged drought, Kabiru offers a positive message as the response comes to a close.
Syria three months after the earthquake
On February 6th, an Earthquake of 7.7 magnitude hit Gaziantep with tremors felt across the Syrian Arab Republic. Thousands of buildings have been damaged, affecting 8.8 million Syrians. The Dutch Relief Alliance partners used the already ongoing Protracted Joint Response to coordinate and address some of the most immediate needs of the affected population. An Acute Joint Response was added to scale up the response activities in the most severely affected locations. Recently the Joint Response lead Marleen Spieker from ZOA sat down with partner organizations in Syria to discuss the situation as it is developing.
Dutch Relief Alliance remains committed to supporting the affected population in Sudan
The ongoing violence across Sudan has a devastating impact on thousands of civilians, resulting in loss of life, widespread destruction of infrastructure, and forced internal and cross-border displacement. The organisations collaborating in the Dutch Relief Alliance Sudan Joint Response, who have been providing humanitarian assistance in the country since 2019, remain fully committed to supporting the crisis-affected population in Sudan.
Ethiopia: between assistance and resilience building
Ethiopia continues to suffer the strain of climate change through drought and flooding while experiencing ongoing violent conflict in certain parts of the country. This prolonged crisis has affected over 23,81 million in terms of malnutrition, displacement, and destruction of property and livelihood. In 2022 a protracted joint response was launched to deal with the more long-term challenges Ethiopia is facing. The chair of the Dutch Relief Alliance Arjen Joosse visited Ethiopia in March to gain insight into the country’s humanitarian situation.
The Sudan Joint Response: future-proof assistance
Political instability, violent conflict and an economic crisis have left 15 million people in Sudan in urgent need of emergency aid. With the Sudan Joint Response, a collaboration of NGOs united in the Dutch Relief Alliance are working on future-proof solutions to the complex crises in the country. As one of the speakers at the European Humanitarian Forum 2023, Plan International’s Eiman Ibrahim explains how this works in Sudan.
Pushing the agenda on localisation: Dutch Relief Alliance at the EHF2023
The Dutch Relief Alliance and the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs are hosting a humanitarian talk at the European Humanitarian Forum 2023 (EHF2023). The forum, held in Brussels on 20 and 21 March, will be addressing important issues in the humanitarian sector. Together with partners from Somalia and Sudan, we will be discussing our experience in addressing the funding gap through localisation and quality funding. Join us and register online: European Humanitarian Forum 2023
Dutch Relief Alliance responds to earthquake crisis in Syria
The Dutch Relief Alliance has initiated an acute response to the severe crisis in Syria due to the earthquakes of February 6. Alliance members are working alongside local partner organisations to provide immediate humanitarian relief to people in need in the affected areas of Ar-raqqah, Aleppo, Hama, Idlib, Latakia and the Tartus governorates.
VACANCY: Communication Internship starting in March/April 2023
Are you looking for a meaningful internship in the humanitarian sector? The Dutch Relief Alliance is looking for a communication intern, starting within March, exact start date flexible, for 4-5 months, between 32-36 hours per week. This internship combines conducting communication research with gaining hands-on experience in the communication work field.
“This is trust. This makes us stronger”
The Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA) is a strong supporter of localising humanitarian assistance. Together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we actively promote more equitable relations between international and local actors. We do this in our strategies, our structures and responses. We have asked Hasan from Yemen and Paulin from DRC – members of the recently installed DRA Local Advisory Group – to reflect on the topic and come with recommendations.
VACANCY: Internship Dutch Relief Alliance starting in February 2023
The Dutch Relief Alliance is looking for 4 interns, starting February 2023, for the duration of 5 months, between 32-36 hours per week.
Dutch Relief Alliance responds to Pakistan flooding
Since 18 September, the Dutch Relief Alliance has initiated an acute response to the severe flooding in Pakistan. DRA partners are on the ground working alongside local partner organisations to provide immediate humanitarian relief to people affected by the flooding.
6 months of aid in Ukraine – partners support thousands with immediate relief, but many remain in need
After 6 months of war in Ukraine, millions of Ukrainians remain in immediate need of support. Across the country, the Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA) has worked together with local partners as part of its Joint Response to provide food and non-food items, multi-purpose cash assistance, and mental healthcare and psychosocial support to vulnerable households affected by the conflict.
Grand Aspirations: Dutch Relief Alliance and the Grand Bargain 2.0
Over the years, the DRA has delivered humanitarian aid to more than 4 million people in 23 crises worldwide, working together with more than 100 local organisations. The DRA has incorporated the Grand Bargain commitments in its operations model and sees a role in furthering these commitments to encourage more effective interventions and to reduce the need for humanitarian aid.
Internship Dutch Relief Alliance – Start September 2022
Internship Dutch Relief Alliance
Duration of 5 months (starting in September 2022)
32-36 hours per week
Dutch Relief Alliance initiates two new Acute Crisis Responses in Kenya and Ethiopia
In response to severe droughts and food insecurity in the Horn of Africa, the Dutch Relief Alliance will initiate two new Acute Crisis Responses in Kenya and Ethiopia to provide urgent humanitarian food assistance to communities in affected regions. The Acute Responses are funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and will remain active for the next 6 months. DRA Partners are already active in the region, supporting communities affected by drought in Somalia.
Dutch Relief Alliance and TeamUp work together for Psychosocial Support to children in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa is the world’s most active conflict region. These wars and armed conflicts have caused millions to flee their homes and seek refuge in other countries. Around 2.5 million people, of which the majority are children, run the risk of developing psychological issues. DRA and TeamUp worked together to provide psychosocial support to children in South Sudan.