Paper details
| Paper authors | Asuman Şahin |
| In panel on | Is the Humanitarian Subject Shifting? Rethinking Southern Leadership in Humanitarian Aid (Roundtable) |
| Paper presenter(s) will be presenting |
In-Person / |
Abstract
In the aftermath of the devastating 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye, the Local Humanitarian Forum (LHF) emerged as an unprecedented local coordination platform, growing from an advocacy initiative into a 64-member network of local NGOs. This talk will present key findings from a two-year social impact evaluation of LHF, exploring how it challenged traditional humanitarian coordination models and created new pathways for localization.
The LHF achieved historic milestones by securing local seats at the Humanitarian Country Team for the first time, fostering Area-Based Coordination, and strengthening ties between UN agencies, INGOs, and grassroots organizations. It mobilized over $900,000 and distributed micro-grants with a strong focus on social inclusion, reaching marginalized groups like women with disabilities and Roma communities.
Beyond funding, LHF’s most praised impact was in capacity development—shifting from conventional trainings to mentorship-based accompaniment. Local actors gained confidence in humanitarian processes through peer learning, Turkish-language resources, and safe spaces for trial and error.
However, the evaluation also reveals structural tensions. Governance gaps, limited sustainability, and unclear identity—emergency mechanism or long-term platform?—challenged LHF’s growth. Only 25% of respondents believed it could continue without donor support. Furthermore, efforts to influence policy and engage private sector actors were only partially successful, illustrating localization’s vulnerability when not backed by systemic power shifts.
This session will highlight LHF as both a breakthrough and a warning. It proves that meaningful localization is possible—but only when paired with sustained financing, clear governance, and genuine power redistribution. As humanitarian systems confront rising needs and shrinking aid, LHF’s story offers both a model and a mirror for future transformation.
