Panel details

Panel organiser(s) will be presenting	In-Person / Online
Number of paper presentations	4
Location	Istanbul

Abstract

In recent years, a growing trust gap has emerged between affected populations and traditional humanitarian institutions such as governments, international NGOs, and donor coalitions. From the 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria to the 2024 Middle East appeals, citizen-led initiatives and diaspora networks have frequently outpaced official responses in speed, transparency, and contextual relevance.

This panel examines how these grassroots responses challenge conventional power dynamics, financial governance, and legitimacy within the humanitarian ecosystem. We explore why increasing numbers of people choose to bypass formal aid channels in favor of direct action, and what this reveals about perceptions of credibility, efficiency, and inclusiveness.

At the heart of our discussion lies a critical question: when crisis strikes, who acts first—and who do people trust?

Drawing on interdisciplinary case studies from natural disasters, protracted conflicts, and refugee settings, this panel invites scholars, field practitioners, and civil society leaders to engage in a conversation about new legitimacy models. We welcome contributions on citizen-led humanitarianism, donor skepticism, diaspora engagement, and alternative governance frameworks.

Rather than dismissing this shift as temporary or informal, we ask: how can humanitarianism adapt to the reality that people are no longer waiting for institutions to act?

Paper presentations