We will never stop standing up for accountability and justice in times of crisis.

Source: Nigeria, KC Nwakalor

The Ground Truth Solutions team is a small bunch of people representing 15 nationalities, of diverse abilities, genders, races, sexual orientations and cultures.

We do this work because we believe in human rights, and the dignity of all people. We know that in times of crisis, when people are experiencing the worst moments of their lives, they deserve assistance that works for them, in all of their diversity. Crises can happen to any of us. The world is steadily becoming more dangerous, as political decisions and the climate crisis leave us all vulnerable.

We believe that aid is not charity but a form of justice, and that it must always help people get back on their feet so they can take charge of their own lives. No person on earth deserves this more than any other. All children are deserving of the right to boldly face the world with good health and education. All people deserve the chance to live life to their full potential.

We believe that the first and last responders in crises are local communities, and that just as people deserve the chance to receive aid and support, they deserve the chance – and the conditions – to provide it too.

As evidence and every relevant policy document states, it is not possible to undertake effective humanitarian action without recognising, and celebrating, diversity. It is not possible to undertake effective humanitarian action while letting political interests drive decisions about who deserves help and who doesn’t. The term ‘forgotten crises’ should not exist but it does, and people living in the toughest conditions risk falling further into crisis, out of the global spotlight. No human being should be forgotten – especially not at the times they need solidarity the most.

Funding may be tighter but we will not stop calling for what’s right. Appropriate aid must get to where it is needed. It must be designed with community priorities firmly at the centre. The millions of people around the world delivering aid at the community level with innovative resourcing strategies should be better recognised and supported. And aid actors everywhere should always put community solidarity first, act with transparency, listen to communities, engage accordingly, use resources in the best possible way, and admit mistakes when they don’t. Now is not the time to give humanitarian actors a leave pass from accountability.

Humanitarian action, and the world in which it exists, is at a crossroads. There may be fewer resources, but we will not stop pushing, with a growing network of allies in crisis-affected communities all around the world, for more equitable systems of support. Not everyone has the privilege to safely speak up right now.

Those of us who can, must.