UN relief chief: "Listen better" to people affected by crisis

An aid worker listens to residents of Ambalakondro region who were affected by Cyclone Freddy. Photo: Viviane Rakotoarivony.

OCHA's Under Secretary-General Martin Griffiths said "we need to learn how to listen better" to people affected by crisis, at the opening of the Humanitarian Network Partnerships Weeks (HNPW) today.

"Last year, I launched OCHA’s Flagship Initiative in four countries to learn how we do this in practice," he added.

The two-week long event has a packed agenda with 320 sessions and 66 exhibitions organized by more than 50 humanitarian networks and partnerships. OCHA is leading more than 60 of the sessions.

The emergency relief chief urged the aid community to become "less reactive and more proactive" at preparing communities for predictable hazards, and better making them more resilient before, during and after crises.

The first week of the event (29 April-4 May) will be convened remotely, and the second week (6-10 May) will be held in-person at the International Conference Centre, Geneva. For more information visit HNPW.