I Think You're On Mute

Podcast: I Think You’re On Mute At the heart of the response: Sustaining locally led humanitarian action in Vanuatu Over the past decade, Vanuatu has faced repeated natural disasters, including powerful cyclones like Cyclone Harold and Cyclone Pam 11 years ago, along with earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and flooding, highlighting the country’s vulnerability to climate and humanitarian crises. In Vanuatu, local and national leadership in humanitarian response is growing and we’re seeing a shift in how partnerships are formed. International and local organisations are working together in ways that feel more equitable than ever before. However, without long-term investment, sustaining the progress that communities and local actors have made, is challenging. Join co-hosts Beth and Pam to explore how to sustain localisation with new research and guests Siale, the Executive Director of the Pacific Islands Association of NGOs (PIANGO), Johnson from the NGO desk office at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Vanuatu and Sarah, the Global Solidarity Coordinator from Act for Peace. Podcast co-hosts and guests: Co-Host: Beth Eggleston Director, Humanitarian Advisory Group Co-Host: Pamela Combinido-Elfa Leader, Humanitarian Advisory Group Guests: Emeline Siale Ilolahia Executive Director of Pacific Islands Association of Non-governmental Organisations (PIANGO) Johnson Simon Mahitmaur Secretary General of Vanuatu Non-Government Organizations (VANGO) Sarah Doyle Global Solidarity Coordinator at Act for Peace Podcast research and links: Humanitarian Advisory Group | Localisation in Vanuatu: Demonstrating change : https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/insight/localisation-in-vanuatu-demonstrating-change/ Humanitarian Advisory Group | Review of FALE Vanuatu Earthquake Response : https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/insight/review-of-fale-vanuatu-earthquake-response/ Humanitarian Advisory Group | Localisation in Vanuatu: Demonstrating change Progress Report: https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/insight/5663/

Podcast: I Think You’re On Mute At the heart of the response: Vanuatu and the path to localisation What’s changed in Vanuatu’s localisation journey since 2019? How did last year’s earthquake test local leadership and coordination? And where is progress strongest across the seven domains of localisation? In a new episode of I Think You’re On Mute, produced in partnership with PIANGO, we unpack fresh research carried out with VANGO on how localisation has evolved in Vanuatu since our 2019 baseline. One year on from the earthquake, co-hosts Beth Eggleston and Pamela Combinido-Elfa sit down with local research consultant Linda Kenni and Shirley Abraham from VANGO to share insights from those at the heart of the response, looking at what’s shifted, what’s stalled, and what still needs to change to make localisation a reality. Podcast co-hosts and guests: Co-Host: Beth Eggleston Director, Humanitarian Advisory Group Co-Host: Pamela Combinido-Elfa Leader, Humanitarian Advisory Group Guests: Linda Kenni Independent Research Consultant – Vanuatu Shirley Abraham Secretary General of Vanuatu Non-Government Organisations (VANGO) Podcast research and links: Humanitarian Advisory Group | Localisation in Vanuatu: Demonstrating change https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/insight/localisation-in-vanuatu-demonstrating-change/ Humanitarian Advisory Group | All localisation research reports https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/insight-category/localisation/

Humanitarian system reform in Syria As Syria experiences major upheaval in the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad’s ousting from power in late 2024, the humanitarian response finds itself at a crossroads characterised by both significant challenges and new opportunities. In a special episode of I Think You’re On Mute, in partnership with the UK Humanitarian Innovation Hub, host Beth Eggleston is joined by Aya Yagan and Mazen Alhousseiny to discuss the evolving situation and key research insights from our recent report: AFTER ASSAD: Navigating Syria’s Humanitarian Crossroads. Full podcast transcript: https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/podcast-i-think-youre-on-mute-humanitarian-system-reform-in-syria/ Podcast host and guests: Host: Beth Eggleston Director, Humanitarian Advisory Group Guests: Aya Yagan Technical Director at NSDation Consultancy Services Mazen Alhousseiny Capacity Strengthening Adviser at HelpAge International Podcast research and links: Humanitarian Advisory Group | After Assad: Navigating Syria’s Humanitarian Crossroads (April 2025) https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/insight/after-assad-navigating-syrias-humanitarian-crossroads/ Concern Worldwide | Beyond Barriers: Overcoming Funding & Human Resource Obstacles to Achieve a Localized Humanitarian Response (January 2025) https://beyondbarriers.concernusa.org/

Podcast I Think You’re On Mute: A window of opportunity for humanitarians in Bangladesh Bangladesh is celebrated for its rapid economic growth, resilient communities, and robust disaster management frameworks. Yet, it's grappling with political upheaval, climate risks, and humanitarian challenges that test the limits of even the most resilient systems. In this special episode of I Think You’re On Mute, in partnership with the UK Humanitarian Innovation Hub, your host Beth Eggleston and guests Dr. Ehsanur Rahman and Farah Kabir explore the needs and opportunities for the humanitarian system to adapt with the shift in political landscape. Full podcast transcript: https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/podcast-i-think-youre-on-mute-a-window-of-opportunity-for-humanitarians-in-bangladesh/ Podcast host and guests: Host: Beth Eggleston Director, Humanitarian Advisory Group Guests: Dr. Ehsanur Rahman Adviser of National Alliance of Humanitarian Actors in Bangladesh and a Convening Committee member of CSO Alliance. Farah Kabir Country Director for ActionAid Bangladesh. Podcast research and links: https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/insight/a-window-of-opportunity-priorities-for-humanitarian-system-reform-in-bangladesh/ Humanitarian Advisory Group | A Window of Opportunity: Priorities for Humanitarian System Reform in Bangladesh

In this special episode of I Think You’re on Mute, host Beth Eggleston reflects on the journey of the Humanitarian Horizons research programme, which has driven insights and influence across the humanitarian sector over the past seven years. Beth explores the diverse research areas that have shaped humanitarian practice, from examining mental health support for and recruitment practices of local staff, to reducing the environmental impact of humanitarian operations and shifting the power to local actors. We look back on our achievements, our challenges, and the lessons learned, asking ourselves what worked well and what could have worked better if… Join us as we dive into the research and ideas that are shaping a better humanitarian future. Podcast host and guests: Host: Beth Eggleston Director, Humanitarian Advisory Group Guests: Pamela Cajilig Independent Consultant Eranda Wijewickrama Executive at Humanitarian Advisory Group (HAG) Podcast research and links: Humanitarian Advisory Group | Humanitarian Horizons research programme: https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/humanitarian-horizons/ Humanitarian Advisory Group | Greening the System research: https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/humanitarian-horizons/greening-the-system/ Humanitarian Advisory Group | Framework for Greening Humanitarian Action in the Pacific: https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/insight/framework-for-greening-humanitarian-action-in-the-pacific/ Humanitarian Advisory Group | A Pathway to Localisation Impact: Laying the Foundations: https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/insight/a-pathway-to-localisation-impact-laying-the-foundations/ Humanitarian Advisory Group | Power, People and Local Leadership research: https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/humanitarian-horizons/people-power-and-local-leadership/

The humanitarian sector has made significant strides to support more localised action with various frameworks and tools, but there’s still a gap in understanding how these approaches impact affected communities. Over the past three years, the Humanitarian Advisory Group has been exploring ways to measure the impact of localisation at the community level. A Pathway to Localisation Impact: Laying the Foundations, introduced a model to support humanitarian actors to better define and understand the impact of their localisation practices on crisis-affected populations. This model was tested with organisations in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. In this episode of I Think You’re On Mute, host Beth Eggleston talks to Aaftab Ullah and Zaki Ullah, members of the partnering research team that tested the model in Pakistan. Podcast host and guests: Host: Beth Eggleston Director, Humanitarian Advisory Group Guests: Aaftab Ullah Manager M&E, GLOW Consultants Zaki Ullah CEO, GLOW Consultants This episode features the following audio: Locally-led humanitarian aid: Peter Walker at TEDxLakeGeneva https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=vCGjRIVdOpc Podcast research and links: Humanitarian Advisory Group | A Pathway to Localisation Impact: Laying the Foundations https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/insight/a-pathway-to-localisation-impact-laying-the-foundations/ Humanitarian Advisory Group | The Beginning of the Road: A practical approach to defining and measuring localisation impact for communities https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/insight/the-beginning-of-the-road-a-practical-approach-to-defining-and-measuring-localisation-impact-for-communities/ Humanitarian Advisory Group | Crossing The Bridge: A Practical Guide to Support Good Intermediary Practice https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/insight/crossing-the-bridge-a-practical-guide-to-support-good-intermediary-practice/ Humanitarian Advisory Group | Bridging the Intention to Action Gap: The Future Role of Intermediaries in Supporting Locally Led Humanitarian Action https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/insight/bridging-the-intention-to-action-gap/

Anticipatory technology You've likely heard the buzz around artificial intelligence, or AI, and machine learning, but how exactly are these technologies shaping the future of disaster preparedness and response? In this episode of I Think You’re On Mute, your host Beth Eggleston explores the innovative technology being tested and employed to enable efficient and effective anticipatory action with guests Sandra Uwantege Hart and Vlad Cozma. Podcast host and guests: Host: Beth Eggleston Director, Humanitarian Advisory Group Guests: Vlad Cozma CashCap Regional Expert for Asia & Pacific at NORCAP – a part of the Norwegian Refugee Council Sandra Uwantege Hart Specialist in community inclusion and adoption of blockchain and DeFi applications in emerging markets. This episode features the following audio: WFP| Innovation Bites: Understanding Blockchain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taxjH2wxO1Y Podcast research and links: Anticipatory action and cash transfers for rapid-onset hazards: Practitioners’ note for field testing - https://reliefweb.int/report/world/anticipatory-action-and-cash-transfers-rapid-onset-hazards-practitioners-note-field-testing On the Front Foot: Envisioning a Model for Anticipatory Action in the Pacific - https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/insight/on-the-front-foot-envisioning-a-model-for-anticipatory-action-in-the-pacific/ Full transcript: https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/podcast-i-think-youre-on-mute-anticipatory-technology/

Many forms of non-economic loss and damage are irreversible, like the loss of biodiversity and species extinction, the loss of cultural heritage and culturally significant sites, and the loss of ancestral lands – all of which erodes traditional knowledge and practices. The consequences of these losses can resonate for decades – or even centuries. Indigenous and local knowledge systems can provide valuable wisdom and insights into managing and mitigating non-economic loss and damage. In this episode of I Think You’re On Mute, your host Beth Eggleston explores non-economic loss and damage in the Pacific with climate change expert Dr Moleen Nand. Podcast host and guests: Host: Beth Eggleston Director, Humanitarian Advisory Group Guests: Dr Moleen Nand Climate Change Expert This episode features the following audio: Fiji One News: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1100131867710760 Podcast research and links: Humanitarian Advisory Group | Greater Than The Sum of Its Parts: Building a shared agenda for operational actors on non-economic loss and damage in the pacific islands - https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/insight/greater-than-the-sum-of-its-parts-building-a-shared-agenda-for-operational-actors-on-non-economic-loss-and-damage-in-the-pacific-islands/

By institutionalising anticipatory action within social protection systems, preparedness becomes a regular part of disaster risk management rather than an ad hoc or reactive measure. In this episode of I Think You’re On Mute, your host Beth Eggleston looks at how anticipatory action can tap into existing social protection systems to respond to potential crises swiftly and efficiently, while protecting the most vulnerable groups, exploring a pilot by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in the Philippines with guests Rhodora G. Alday and Ruth Georget. Full podcast transcript: https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/podcast-i-think-youre-on-mute-protection-through-early-action/ Podcast host and guests: Host: Beth Eggleston Director, Humanitarian Advisory Group Guests: Director Rhodora G. Alday Department of Social Welfare and Development Speaks to anticipatory action and existing social protection systems in the Philippines. Ruth Georget Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Speaks anticipatory action interventions in the Philippines. This episode features the following audio: Anticipation Hub | Anticipatory action: five key policy asks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O1zb_Bg-7Y FAO: Building on Social Protection for Anticipatory Action and Response in Emergencies and Disasters (B-SPARED) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O1zb_Bg-7Y Podcast research and links: Humanitarian Advisory Group | On the Front Foot: Envisioning a model for anticipatory action in the Pacific - https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/insight/on-the-front-foot-envisioning-a-model-for-anticipatory-action-in-the-pacific/ FAO | Adopting anticipatory action and shock responsive social protection to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience: Learning from the ASEAN region - https://openknowledge.fao.org/items/2035e8bc-0751-46f3-8e88-0c62990c951d

The humanitarian sector's push for localisation has resulted in an increasing presence of local and national staff in international organisations. This has many benefits for the sector, but it can also bring unintended consequences for local organisations. Our research shows, it's not just what the humanitarian system is doing, but also how it conducts its operations that impacts on both short- and long-term outcomes. So what are some of the initiatives that are seeking to shake things up, get better results and change the status quo? In this episode of I Think You’re On Mute, your host Beth Eggleston explores how we can deliver humanitarian response differently through respectful recruitment practices and new initiatives that ensure affected communities are at the heart of humanitarian response, with guests Kate Sutton and Nanette Salvador-Antequisa Full podcast transcript: https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/humanitarian-horizons/i-think-youre-on-mute/ Podcast host and guests: Host: Beth Eggleston Director, Humanitarian Advisory Group Guests: Kate Sutton Advisor, Humanitarian Advisory Group Speaks to impact of staff mobility and respectful recruitment practices Nanette Salvador-Antequisa Founder and Executive Director of ECOWEB Speaks to locally led action in the Philippines and new Flagship Initiative This episode features the following audio: UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Philippines, Gustavo Gonzalez: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32kvpxz4Avc&t=139s Podcast research and links: Humanitarian Horizons | Respectful Recruitment in Humanitarian Response: Why we need it and how to do it - https://humanitarianadvisorygroup.org/insight/respectful-recruitment-in-humanitarian-response-why-we-need-it-and-how-to-do-it/