German Humanitarian Action

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On 8 July 2025, the CHA invited its members to a confidential exchange with UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher.

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From 25.06.2025 – 26.06.2025, the CHA dedicated its annual conference to the topic “Contested Aid – Power Shifts, Politicisation and Prioritisation”. Here you can find all session videos of day 1.

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Warfare, hunger and political blockades in Gaza are deliberately obstructing humanitarian action – Robert Lindner on the disregard for humanitarian principles and the obligations of the German government. [German]

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Europe has committed itself to the humanitarian principles of neutral aid for people in greatest need. It can strengthen its foreign policy and humanitarian profile by defending these values – writes CHA Director Ralf Südhoff in this guest article for German daily Tagesspiegel.

publicationsThe abrupt withdrawal of the United States, which has been by far the largest humanitarian donor to date, is putting the humanitarian aid system to a crucial test. This CHA Policy Brief describes how Germany can fulfil its responsibility and prevent a collapse of the humanitarian system through strategic and focused measures, even without financially replacing the current top donor, USA.

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At a parliamentary breakfast in the Bundestag, Sonja Hövelmann as well as Dr Ina Heusgen, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid at the Federal Foreign Office gave an input on the end of USAID and Germany’s role in strengthening and reforming an eroding humanitarian system.

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In May 2025, CHA will once again be offering the course ‘Humanitarian Work All-Round: Foundations, Challenges, Trends’ at the aha – academy for humanitarian action.

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Niels Annen, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, in an interview with Ralf Südhoff on the current controversies surrounding humanitarian action and development cooperation.

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Syria is dependent on international aid. But how stable and reliable is the new transitional government?

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In a couple of interviews Sonja Hövelmann explained what the shutdown of USAID means for global development and humanitarian action.

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On 25 March, the CHA invited its members to a confidential exchange with Niels Annen, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, on the future of German international cooperation, its institutions and resources.

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GPPi, Robert Bosch Academy and CHA invited to a confidential discussion with selected guests representing German politics, humanitarian aid and development cooperation on Germany's future role and priorities in these areas.

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CHA invited leading representatives of German and international aid organisations to a confidential exchange with Etleva Kadilli, UNICEF Regional Director Eastern and Southern Africa.

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Sonja Hövelmann took part in a media briefing  on the global consequences of USAID’s dismantling.

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What is the future of humanitarian action from Germany? How should the German government's new humanitarian strategy be implemented in times of declining funding? We discussed this with Dr Ina Heusgen, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid at the Federal Foreign Office since autumn 2024.

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Ralf Südhoff on the misleading election campaign narratives about budget cuts, which falsely suggest that the federal government is footing the entire humanitarian bill, and what a fair humanitarian budget should look like.

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The CHA Conference 2025 took place on 25 and 26 June 2025 in Berlin Kreuzberg with a focus on "Contested Aid - Power Shifts, Politicisation and Prioritisation".

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jobs4refugees, the Danish Refugee Council and the Centre for Humanitarian Action hosted a housewarming at our new joint office in Berlin.

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The picture is bleak, says Will Jamison Wright, who takes a look at Trump’s last term to predict how the incoming administration will act on humanitarian issues within the context of the new global situation.

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On 13 December 2024, CHA invites its members to a confidential exchange with the new ICRC director-general Pierre Krähenbühl.

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On December 18, CHA Director Ralf Südhoff is invited as an expert to a public hearing of the parliamentary committee on human rights and humanitarian aid in the German Federal Parliament on forgotten humanitarian crises’. Read his statement here.

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The winner of this year’s ‘Humanitarian Aid Journalism Award’ was chosen on 20 November – the laudatory speech was given by CHA Director Ralf Südhoff.

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End of December marks the 20th anniversary of the tsunami on the coasts of the Indian Ocean. A catastrophe with dramatic consequences for the people in the region and a decisive turning point in humanitarian aid.

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Localisation is a top priority in Germany’s new humanitarian strategy. Darina Pellowska analyses how the commitments made are (not) translating into concrete measures.

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“Critical Choices – Triaging humanitarian action” is the theme of this year’s Humanitarian Congress, which will take place in Berlin on October 16 and 17, 2024. The CHA will be represented on two panels and with a stand.

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Ralf Südhoff explains what Germany’s new humanitarian strategy and a radically reduced budget mean for the future of its humanitarian aid.

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Analyses and media coverage on the new  German Federal Foreign Office strategy for humanitarian assistance abroad published on 26 September.

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Boris Mijatovic (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen), Michael Brand (CDU/CSU) are inviting representatives from politics and humanitarian organisations to a Parliamentary Breakfast on the topic.

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Starting November 2024 CHA will offer the “Humanitarian action all round: foundations, challenges, trends” training course at the aha – academy for humanitarian action.

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To mark World Humanitarian Day, CHA Director Ralf Südhoff was invited to rbb radio3 to talk about the most significant political challenges to humanitarian action.

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Germany's new humanitarian strategy will be presented very soon. How important is it to prioritise key topics and resources? Ralf Südhoff discussed it with Dr. Thorsten Klose-Zuber and Philipp Rotmann.

publicationsIn this report for Caritas Europa CHA research fellow Goda Milasiute analyses the considerable disparity between rhetoric and reality in supporting local humanitarian organisations. More...

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The CHA Conference 2024 focused on the topic “Climate & humanitarian crises and the lack of a joint response – Needs, narratives and necessities”.

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What options for humanitarian diplomacy are there in Germany’s new humanitarian strategy? We discussed this with Manuel Sánchez-Montero, ACF Spain; Emma Beals, independent consultant; and Federico Dessi, Handicap International Regional Director.

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Maryam Zarnegar Deloffre, Director of the Humanitarian Action Initiative at the George Washington University, analyses Germany’s humanitarian strategy, offering insights into integrating localisation efforts akin to the US model.

publicationsAgainst the backdrop of Germany‘s evolvement as a top 2 donor, this paper is dedicated to analysing international perceptions of German humanitarian engagement in the areas of motives and interests, potentials, and impact. More...

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Young journalists can apply for the “Humanitarian Aid Journalism Award” until 7 January 22024. Member of the jury: CHA Director Ralf Südhoff.

publicationsGermany’s rise to becoming the second-largest humanitarian donor is exceptional in the humanitarian system. How have narratives at play amongst the population, media, government and aid agencies enabled and justified the significant increase in Germany’s humanitarian assistance budget? More...

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Manuel Sánchez-Montero, Director of ACF Spain, reflects on the Spanish Humanitarian Diplomacy Strategy and on the lessons learned during the process of its developement.

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In light of the upcoming cuts in the budget for humanitarian action, Oxfam Germany and the Centre for Humanitarian Action invited to a panel discussion: Is a Feminist Foreign Policy the Roadmap to a De-colonial Future?

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To mark the launch of the new study "Germany’s rise as a humanitarian donor. The interplay of narratives, new foreign policy ambitions and domestic interests", the Humanitarian Policy Group at ODI and the Centre for Humanitarian Action invited to a panel discussion on the topic in Berlin. 

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CHA Director Ralf Südhoff will give a key note on the current challenges for the humanitarian system and civil society organisations at this year’s General Assembly of CARE Germany.

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In an analysis on Berlin.Table, the so far unpublished paper by Sonja Hövelmann and Ralf Südhoff on the international perception of German humanitarian action is quoted comprehensively [German].

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On October 10-13, 2023, the Humanitarian Congress will take place in Berlin. CHA will be represented on the panel as well as with an information booth.

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CHA director Ralf Südhoff has been appointed as an expert for a public hearing of the Federal German Parliament and its Subcommittee on Global Health on 19 September 2023.

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Why are gender aspects important in humanitarian action? Goda Milasiute will discuss this with Anica Heinlein (CARE) and Sabine Eismann (AA) at the Open Day at the Federal Foreign Office in the Willy-Brandt-Saal on 19 August at 12 noon.

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Ralf Südhoff was interviewed in the news programmes ProSieben Newstime and ZDF heute journal as well as by news agency epd about the global food crisis and the humanitarian situation in Syria.

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Whether and how are feminist foreign policies shaping humanitarian response? Megan Daigle asks three questions for a more feminist humanitarian strategy.

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What significance will the Grand Bargain have for Germany's new humanitarian strategy? What are the international expectations for Germany? We will discuss this with Michael Köhler, DG ECHO and newly appointed Grand Bargain Ambassador, and Susanne Fries-Gaier, German Federal Foreign Office.

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The GFFO is currently developing a new humanitarian strategy that will apply from 2024. What are the expectations and demands of German civil society? We discussed this with Oliver Müller, Caritas international, and Alexandra Rüth, German Red Cross.

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As part of the Narrative Project, after the completion of data collection and numerous expert interviews, initial results and preliminary findings will be presented in a workshop and it will be discussed what lessons can be learned for humanitarian communication.

publicationsIn the current #Into Focus campaign, attention is being drawn to so-called "forgotten crises". But where does the term come from? What are the definitions and criteria? This to go -Paper introduces the topic.

publicationsThe demands on leaders in the humanitarian sector in today’s crises are more challenging and complex than ever before. The analysis of six research institutions on key leadership topics in one compilation.

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Ralf Südhoff talked to German newspapers ZEIT Online, Frankfurter Rundschau and Tagesspiegel about the current humanitarian situation and gave an outlook on the crisis year 2023.

publicationsCHA statement on Germany's role in the humanitarian system, the status of the Grand Bargain, international organisations and local actors, and the growing food insecurity.

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CHA director Ralf Südhoff has been appointed as an expert for a public hearing of the Federal German Parliament and its Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid on 23 January 2023.

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As research partner of the Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG) the Centre for Humanitarian Action (CHA) will conduct a study titled ‘the role of narratives in the rise of Germany as a humanitarian donor’.

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On 2 February 2023 CHA researcher Andrea Steinke gives an input on the further development of the humanitarian-development-peace nexus at the online expert discussion “Rethinking Crisis Prevention – What Civilian Objectives Do We Need to Strengthen Germany’s Role in Conflict Management and Peacebuilding?”.

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Together with Martin Quack, the CHA organises the Humanitarian Action in Theory and Practice seminar for the second time at the University of Tübingen in the Peace and Conflict Studies Master’s programme.

publicationsThe policy brief provides an overview of where the Grand Bargain 2.0 stands after one year, the results the working groups have produced, and the role and contributions Germany is taking on.

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Médecins Sans Frontières and the Centre for Humanitarian Action invite to a private luncheon with Dr. Christos Christou, International President, Médecins Sans Frontières on the topic principled humanitarian action in conflict contexts such as Ukraine.

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On 4 October Sonja Hövelmann gives an input on Civil-Military Co-operation (CIMIC) and humanitarian principles at the international General Staff Training of the Bundeswehr Command and Staff College.

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Is it time for a „humanitarian Zeitenwende”, and what elements would be essential for this? This is the topic of the CHA annual conference in 2022.

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The Global Executive Leadership Initiative (GELI) and the Centre for Humanitarian Action (CHA) invited to an exchange for German Humanitarian CEOs and leading personnel on the topic "Leadership for an Ever-Changing World".

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The Federal Government's report on German humanitarian assistance abroad 2018 to 2021 is out. We took critical stock and a constructive look ahead.

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On the occasion of the World Humanitarian Day on August 19, 2022, CHA director Ralf Südhoff gave several interviews and called for a “humanitarian Zeitenwende”.

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On 20 and 21 August, the CHA will be present at the Open House of the German Federal Foreign Office - with a stand and at two panel discussions.

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Starting on 29 June, CHA Director Ralf Südhoff is on a research trip to investigate how German and European humanitarian action are perceived internationally, as well as what profile and potential for improvement is attributed to them.

publicationsWith the federal elections in 2021, a change of policy is also imaginable in the area of German foreign policy. Based on four scenarios for future humanitarian action from Germany, which were developed in advance with input from the participants and experts, a workshop was held to work out what effects this could have on German humanitarian action and how humanitarian actors could react together. The findings of the workshop were documented.

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How is the German humanitarian engagement viewed internationally? Participate now in our online survey!

publicationsHumanitarian assistance is a core task of the United Nations. In this To Go paper, Sonja Hövelmann explains UN actors, their tasks, funding and challenges. [German]

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Book Launch & Discussion with Dr Hugo Slim, author of “Solferino 21 – Warfare, Civilians and Humanitarians in the 21st Century”

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At the end of March, the new Federal Government will have completed its first 100 days in office. In view of the current situation we would like to discuss the humanitarian goals of the Federal Government.

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With the announced withdrawal of French troops from Mali, the international situation in the West African country is changing. The German decision on the presence of Bundeswehr soldiers is now pending and can be an opportunity, particularly for principle-guided humanitarian action.[German]

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CHA and NRC invited to a Humanitarian Talk on Quality Funding as part of the European Humanitarian Forum.

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At the invitation of CHA and in the framework of the SPreAD Europe project, leading thinktanks from Europe met for a workshop in Berlin in early March.

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In this workshop the vision for the future of German humanitarian action will be scaled to the period of the next legislature until 2025 and the scope for action for humanitarian organisations will be defined.

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With the Bundestag elections, a change of policy is conceivable in the area of German foreign policy. Based on four scenarios developed in advance, a workshop will explore what impact this could have on German humanitarian aid.

publicationsThe year 2021 could be an important turning point for global humanitarian aid as well as the Grand Bargain (GB). In the latest CHA publication, Ralf Südhoff and Goda Milasiute analyse what the global initiative has achieved so far, what the German government and civil society have contributed to it and what the challenges are for a possible "GB 2.0".

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CHA is launching an Anti-Racism Forum. The aim: cross-organisational exchange and joint learning on the topic of anti-racism for staff from German aid organisations. Subscribe to our mailing list now and join in!

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On 3 March 2021, CHA is invited as expert to the public hearing of the Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid at the German Bundestag to discuss the 5 years of the Grand Bargain. We look forward to participating!

 

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The Centre for Social Inclusion Migration and Participation (ZSIMT) and CHA invite interested employees of German aid organisations to discuss racism in humanitarian aid in a professionally moderated reflection event.

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On the occasion of World Humanitarian Day, CHA Director Ralf Südhoff gave several interviews on German civil and public humanitarian aid. What has the world’s second largest donor achieved? Why is a German Middle East focus justified? We have selected two TV interviews with Deutsche Welle and two radio interviews for you.

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Deutsche Welle has interviewed Ralf Südhoff for a broadcast of an English radio show, in which he speaks about the following: Where does German humanitarian assistance stand? What could be Germany’s global role? What do German public & civil actors need to look at? What can think tank CHA contribute to these issues?

publicationsGermany has positioned itself as the second largest donor country, which is of extremely great value in times of a rapidly growing number of people in need. However, Germany’s financial engagement and its policy and strategy capacities have not grown at the same pace. Staffing as well as structural issues prevent Germany to fulfill its potential as a leading humanitarian actor.

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On the occasion of the presentation of the new strategy of the German Federal Foreign Office on humanitarian assistance, an article written by CHA director Ralf Südhoff has been published in German daily “Tagesspiegel” on 04/04/2019.

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CHA director Ralf Südhoff was invited to an expert hearing of the Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid in the German parliament on 20/03/2019. Seven experts layed out their views on the latest quadrennial report German humanitarian assistance abroad by the German Federal Foreign Office. Watch a video of the hearing here.