Aid, Rebuilt

The humanitarian system is under pressure like never before. Deep funding cuts, rising humanitarian needs and protracted crises are forcing a fundamental rethink of how humanitarian aid is delivered. A humanitarian reset is ongoing. At the same time, long-standing reform efforts — from coordination to localization — have often come up empty-handed, struggling to deliver meaningful change. The result: a system that is stretched thin, increasingly questioned and in urgent need of renewal.

“Aid, Rebuilt” is GPPi’s interview series exploring what such a renewal of the humanitarian system could look like.

Rather than offering a single blueprint for humanitarian reform, we ask a simple question: If you could rebuild the aid system, what is the one thing you would change? We pose this question to a diverse group of humanitarian experts and practitioners, from global policymakers to local actors working on the frontlines of crises.

Each interview highlights one key idea for reform, followed by a deeper discussion of its implications, trade-offs and practical feasibility. The goal is not to find one definitive answer, but to collect concrete, thought-provoking ideas: from technical fixes to fundamental shifts in power, priorities and practice. Together, these perspectives aim to contribute to an ongoing conversation about how to improve humanitarian action.

We invite you to explore the interviews, share them and join the conversation.