It is shocking that 300 million people globally are now dependent on humanitarian support.  

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This World Humanitarian Day, we pay tribute not only to the thousands of humanitarian workers on the frontline, but also the ever-growing numbers of civilians who are caught up in unfathomable situations.  

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We have all been profoundly shocked by the disturbing images of hospitals in Gaza as the number of casualties rise. And as the Famine Review Committee recently declared famine in part of Sudan, we are reminded of how deep and far-reaching the humanitarian crisis has become.

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The UN’s call this World Humanitarian Day is to #ActwithHumanity. But what does this actually mean?

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I would argue it is a call to actors beyond the aid sector. The aid sector cannot work alone to address the need. Nor should we. The UN estimates the cost of humanitarian aid to meet need is now $48.65bn. The level of need far outstrips the reserves of NGOs, governments and civil society.  

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The shifting geopolitical space has taught us that the divides that have existed between sectors and territories are increasingly blurred. It will take a global coalition of committed partners to meet the vast need we are facing.  In essence, to bridge the gap.  

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For many years the aid sector has discussed the possibility of partnering with the private sector.

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Public-private sector partnerships are often regarded as uncomfortable, complicated, ‘new’ territory. A bit ‘messy’.  

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We would disagree. This year, International Heath Partners is celebrating its 20^th year of partnering with healthcare companies to provide long-dated, quality medications and supplies to people who need them the most. In two decades, we have reached 107 million people across 76 countries. Our partners have been standing with us to #ActwithHumanity.

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We exist in an unusual space - a fully regulated not for profit which holds a Wholesale Distribution Authorisation (WDA) license. We provide transparency in the supply chain and are subject to the requirements of Good Distribution Practice. Crucially, we get the right product, to the right people at the right time

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A partnership between a start-up NGO and major pharmaceuticals like Pfizer, J&J and Accord Healthcare seems unlikely. Yet from small beginnings, IHP now works through over 50 partnerships, which has allowed us to reach millions of patients with primary and emergency healthcare, antibiotics, deworming tablets, mental health medication, and even extend into areas such as paediatric oncology.  

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What started as an ‘unlikely’ idea – to take excess product from major donors and distribute them to fragile contexts worldwide – worked.  Companies now manufacture to donate and use our systems to ensure their donations are delivered to the highest standards.  

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There are countless stories to tell – from extraordinary relationships with shipping companies to experts in storage and even software development, who have met the challenges head on with a truly humanitarian approach. 20 years ago, DHL committed to storing our products, and two decades later they continue to be a major partner for warehousing. We couldn’t have done our job without the support of partners who were committed to reaching patients beyond their immediate customer base. Partnerships work.

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We believe that everyone should have access to healthcare. The humanitarians and patients we commemorate today deserve to be supported robustly – with appropriate funding, access to healthcare, and a wraparound approach which breaks down siloes.

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If we are truly to #ActwithHumanity, it is time we looked outside of our ‘usual’ space to find innovative ways to streamline systems, improve access, both on the ground and in the supply chain. It is only with a cross-sector collaboration that we can achieve the impact we need.  

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As I write this, we have just received news from a clinic in Blantyre, Malawi, where 15-year-old Towera, who was diagnosed with a Germ Cell Tumour, was able to access life-saving oncology treatment thanks to a partnership with between companies, funders and shipping experts. It is with testimony from children like Towera that we need to press on to bridge the gap.  

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The need for action is urgent, and the time to collaborate is now.