Hisham Allam

DevelopmentAid Dialogues

#59 in Non-Profit · 🇬🇧 #60 in Non-Profit · 🇫🇷

About the show

Each episode features insightful conversations with experts and practitioners, offering valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities shaping our world. DevelopmentAid is a platform where we share knowledge and fostering collaboration within the development community. We believe that by sparking meaningful conversations, we can contribute to finding innovative solutions for a more just and sustainable future.

Newest episodes

Seven Liters a Day: Inside Taiz's Water Emergency with Ali Alqubati

Nov 12, 2026 27 min

A city that once piped 25,000 cubic meters of water a day now leaves most of its families living on less than 7.5 liters per person. In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Ali Alqubati, WASH sub-national cluster area coordinator for Taiz and the West Coast of the Yemen WASH Cluster, about the collapse and slow repair of Taiz's water system - and what it would take for the city to drink without aid. Based in Taiz and coordinating 48 WASH partners, Alqubati sees both the engineering and the diplomacy from the inside. Before the conflict, Taiz drew on roughly 95 boreholes. Today about 31 operate, and the public network delivers around one-third of the needed daily water quantity. Seventy-one percent of residents buy from private trucks at US$8 to US$10 per cubic meter. "The water crisis does not wait for office hours," he said. So why not simply switch the idle wells back on? "Restoring wells does not mean simply turning on the pumps," he explained. "If extraction exceeds recharge, the well may work temporarily but fail again." In western Taiz, he noted, water levels are falling several meters a year. That makes the response's signature technology double-edged. "Solar energy can actually accelerate groundwater depletion," he warned, where a borehole is over-pumped. Financing is the other constraint, though not in the way donors might assume. Restoring about 5,000 cubic meters a day from existing wellfields costs roughly US$1 million, he said, while developing new sources of lower capacity would require at least US$9 million. There has been progress. Production has climbed from 7% to 29%, and after more than three years of technical negotiation, two parties signed an agreement to jointly manage supply, supported by the Yemen Humanitarian Fund. "Water is a humanitarian issue that affects everyone, regardless of boundaries," he said. Pressed on who gets water and who waits, he did not hedge: the most vulnerable, ranked...

Can Public Procurement Contracts Predict the Future? Analyzing Procurement Data with Malcolm Duff

Sep 30, 2026 27 min

Every day, governments publish thousands of notices announcing who won a public procurement contract, for how much and for how long. These notices are an underused source of economic intelligence. One man has spent years exploring how they can help reveal future economic activity. In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Malcolm Duff, founder and chief executive of DataTixx, the company behind the economic intelligence platform datixxia, about what public procurement data can predict and what it cannot see. A translator for nearly four decades before he became a technology founder, Duff came to the idea through a single contract that transformed his own small company. Why -- public procurement contracts? Because, he argues, they are commitments rather than forecasts. datixxia analyses published contract awards as signals of committed expenditure and prospective economic activity; those records do not, by themselves, verify subsequent delivery or payment. Twenty years ago, Duff’s translation firm, then four people, won a contract with the European Commission. "Everything changed after that," he said. One translator on a short contract was made permanent. "The secretary we had wanted to buy a small apartment, and she hadn't been able to until we got that contract." That, he says, is the cascade. He puts public procurement at around 13% of EU GDP directly, and 40 to 60% once the subcontracts it generates are counted. His illustration is the start of the pandemic, when a Chinese municipality, he says, began ordering large volumes of the cheapest wood available, to make coffins. Had his platform existed then, he argues, the data and AI’s capacity to interpret it would have flagged a medical emergency before the world knew there was one. Asked about countries where contracts are still awarded on paper, he did not hedge. "Until those countries start using digital systems, then it is impossible. We can't keep track of paperwork." An...

Is the era of EVs really green? A dialogue with Peter Bryant.

Aug 19, 2026 27 min

The world produces around 25 million metric tons of copper a year and needs to almost double that within a decade to meet the growing demand of various industries, including the one producing electric vehicles (EVs). It will not. By 2035, the shortfall could reach 12 million tons annually—enough copper for 150 million electric cars that will simply never be built. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Peter Bryant, Board Chair of Clareo, about the minerals behind the electric vehicle boom—and why the industry that supplies them cannot move at the speed the climate targets demand. Co-Founder and Board Chair of the Development Partner Institute and head of the Washington-based Key Minerals Forum, Bryant advises both the companies doing the extracting and the legislators setting the deadlines. He begins with what he calls materials intensity. “All the studies again try and quantify emissions from mines, but they don’t quantify water,” he said. The omission is not minor. A report from the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), published a week before the recording, found that 67% of the world’s mines sit in water-stressed areas. Whose land they sit on is a second blind spot. “Eighty percent of minerals that we require globally either sit directly on or adjacent to indigenous lands,” argues Bryant, citing the First Nations Major Projects Coalition in Canada. He calls the gap a “minerals famine,” and he does not believe the market has priced it in. “We will be 10 to 12 million tons short per annum of copper by 2035,” he warned. The same shortfall, he noted, would strand roughly 1,800 gigawatts of solar. So, does he accept that an EV repays its manufacturing carbon debt within 40,000 km (25,000 miles)? “I think it’s a utopian calculation,” he said. His alternative is not to abandon electrification but to widen it. “For the materials that we put into one EV, I can build 6 plug-ins and 90 hybrids,” he sai...

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All episodes

Seven Liters a Day: Inside Taiz's Water Emergency with Ali Alqubati

Nov 12, 2026 27 min

Can Public Procurement Contracts Predict the Future? Analyzing Procurement Data with Malcolm Duff

Sep 30, 2026 27 min

Is the era of EVs really green? A dialogue with Peter Bryant.

Aug 19, 2026 27 min

Placebo or cure? Assessing the Net Zero reality of carbon credits with Paolo Vaggi

Jul 29, 2026 26 min

As carbon credits swell into a multi-billion-dollar global market, a persistent illusion keeps fueling it: that buying a credit erases the pollution a company - or a traveler - leaves behind. In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Paolo Vaggi, Founder and Executive Advisor of BAIA Advisory, about what carbon credits can deliver - and the greenwashing that follows when they are asked to do more. With over 15 years of international development experience across Southeast Asia and a base in Indonesia, one of the world's richest reserves of natural carbon, Vaggi brings a practitioner's view of a market caught between promise and hype. The confusion, he says, starts with the very first purchase. "Your flight still happens, so the pollution still happens. Climate change is not better off for it," Vaggi explained. "A better way to think about it is that by purchasing a carbon credit, you have paid for the equivalent reduction or removal somewhere else." Whether that payment means anything depends on quality. Good credits, he said, play a positive role in the overall equation - "if not, they're just nice pieces of paper." At the heart of his argument is a distinction he believes the market keeps missing. "A lot of companies see them as a climate strategy themselves, but they are not. They are a mechanism - and this is a very different thing," he said. "Internal reductions should become the priority and the core of a strategy." A company that cuts its own emissions and then finances mangrove restoration or peatland protection creates real climate value, he explained. One that buys credits to keep polluting is "not a real benefit for the planet." So how does a buyer tell a credible credit from a worthless one? Vaggi offered three tests: is the reduction additional, is it durable, and is it unique? "The credit cannot be sold twice," he stressed, noting that registries and retirement mechanisms "have been improving the most...

Cheap cures, fragile systems: Inside the ongoing fight to end neglected tropical diseases. A conversation with Dr. Wendy Harrison.

Jun 15, 2026 39 min

Neglected tropical diseases affect more than 1.5 billion people, close to one in six worldwide, yet they remain among the least visible and mediatized health problems on the planet. The medicines to treat most of them already exist, often for less than US$0.50 a dose. In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam speaks with Dr. Wendy Harrison, CEO of Unlimit Health, about why that arithmetic has not been enough, and what it will take to end diseases that feed on poverty and neglect. The label “Neglected Tropical Diseases” covers around 21 conditions that share little biologically but a great deal socially. “They’re often thought of as diseases of poverty, or diseases of really marginalized, neglected populations,” Harrison explains. The numbers are large and oddly unknown. Schistosomiasis alone affects more than 250 million people, several times the number living with HIV, while soil-transmitted worms reach over 1.5 billion. Children carry the heaviest burden, through anemia, stunting and chronic organ damage, and the damage rarely stops at the health dimension. By keeping children out of school and adults out of work, the diseases “really perpetuate this cycle of poverty,” she says. Unlimit Health works directly with ministries of health to treat schistosomiasis and three soil-transmitted worms, and Harrison is firm that everything it deploys must be “very well scientifically validated.” The reach is considerable: more than 30 million treatments in the last financial year, and over a billion across the organization’s history in some 15 countries. Delivery only works through long partnerships, she argues, citing an African proverb the team has adopted. “If you want to go quickly, you go alone,” she says, “but if you want to travel far, you must travel together.” In practice, that means decisions stay with the country, with programs designed so that authority “sits within the Ministry of Health,” rather than with outside funders. Money has neve...

Beyond Bottomless Wallets: The Strategic Reality of Gulf Economic Diplomacy. A Dialogue with Damyana Bakardzhieva

May 6, 2026 25 min

As the ongoing U.S./Israel–Iran war reverberates across the region—affecting energy markets, transport routes, and economic stability in the Middle East and North Africa—the question for the development sector is becoming more urgent: can Gulf donors sustain their expanding role in global aid, or will their priorities shift inward? In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, podcast host Hisham Allam spoke with Dr. Damyana Bakardzhieva, Senior Research Fellow at the Anwar Gargash Diplomacy Academy, to examine whether the Gulf’s rise as a development partner is resilient, or more constrained than headlines suggest. Bakardzhieva pushed back on the idea that Gulf countries are simply stepping in to replace Western donors. “There are two fundamental flaws with that narrative,” she explained. “The first is to consider that the Gulf approach to foreign aid is purely opportunistic. Their approach is way more strategic and structured than this kind of reasoning would assume.” She warned against overstating the scale of Gulf contributions. “The second flaw is to consider the Gulf countries as bottomless wallets on standby,” she said. Referring to recent OECD data published in April 2026, she noted that even a significant increase in Gulf aid would fall far short of compensating for Western cuts. “Even if they were to double their 2025 foreign aid contributions, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait would only be adding four and a half to five billion dollars,” she said, compared to “over US$40 billion” withdrawn by Development Assistance Committee countries in the past two years. “No matter how much the Gulf countries contribute extra, they cannot compensate for the major gaps.” She also pointed to structural differences in how aid is delivered. “A lot of Western aid has traditionally been tied,” she explained, often limiting how recipients can use it. “The case of Gulf aid is different. It is not tied aid in general.” That flexibility, combined with regional priorities, shapes...

Reclaiming Civic Space Amid Global Repression: A dialogue with Lotfullah Najafizada from Afghanistan ahead of the Ottawa Civic Space Summit

Apr 8, 2026 24 min

In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, podcast host Hisham Allam spoke with Lotfullah Najafizada, an Afghan journalist and founder of Amu TV, a Washington-based international news outlet reaching audiences inside and outside Afghanistan. With nearly 20 years on Afghan media frontlines—including over a decade as Tolo News director and multiple Press Freedom Awards— he joined us ahead of the Ottawa Civic Space Summit, a global platform to resist repression and reimagine inclusive democracy, where Lotfullah will be a speaker within the panel entitled: Reclaim the Public Square: Media Freedom, Journalism and Civic Space. "The public square, where the public should have its say, is eroding," Najafizada said, citing Democracy Without Borders' count of 91 or 92 autocracies versus 85 or 87 democracies—a recession hitting discourse hardest. State actors erode trust fastest through systematic censorship, as in Taliban Afghanistan where the region's freest media became most closed. "Censorship is killing trust," he told DevelopmentAid Dialogues, with even democracies pressuring media per Reporters Without Borders' reddening index. U.S. media shows resilience against Trump's post-2025 attacks on CNN and NYT, but polarization creates silos: "You can easily live in one world and be very distant from the other." Journalists face constraints—hundreds arrested by the Taliban, rising legal woes—making them civic space's last defense. "We are working very hard for our own survival," he said, urging alliances to protect reporters. Governments pledge free expression yet pass surveillance laws without follow-through, like Canada's G7 transnational repression nod. Newsrooms must get creative despite cuts: Amu TV's WhatsApp call-in draws 6,000 Afghan callers hourly, bypassing the Taliban firewalls that ban women interviewing men, while being uncovered. "That makes blanket censorship impossible," Najafizada said. For 2026 survival, he ranks independent funding first—"if you don'...

From Starlink to Scarcity: Dialogue with Jonathan Criss—the SpaceX Engineer Solving Earth’s Water Crisis

Mar 25, 2026 20 min

In this episode of Development Aid Dialogues, podcast host Hisham Allam spoke with Jonathan Criss, CEO and Founder of Vital Lyfe. After more than 13 years working on Dragon and Starlink, from cargo racks to reusable spacecraft, Criss left to establish Vital Lyfe, a company building small-scale purification systems for remote villages, disaster zones and infrastructure-poor communities already feeling the pressure of climate change. "All the way throughout my SpaceX career, it was just another step of what is the next hard challenge that needs to be solved," he said. Criss pushed back against the idea that the global water crisis was purely about scarcity. Earth's surface was mostly water, and the overwhelming majority was in the oceans, yet almost all drinking water still came from the tiny slice of accessible freshwater that existing systems were built to use. For him, this was "a technology gap" as much as a resource gap: "We have abundant water resources. We just have a technology gap in getting that water to people," he said. Vital Lyfe's answer was a family of units that households, communities, or local institutions could own and operate themselves. Criss was candid that "decentralized" had become a buzzword but defined it clearly: "Decentralized means giving traditional centralized systems to individuals that can own and operate them themselves. That means that you have to make a product that is easy to operate, is affordable, and it is not reliant on traditional infrastructure," Criss said. SpaceX reliability shaped the design: aggressively testing for corner cases like intermittent power and rough transport. "Reliability is a core part of our design. It's a core part of aerospace design. We put our products through the most rigorous reliability and qualification campaigns that we can even think of," Criss said. The conversation did not shy away from hard economics. Desalination was often criticized as energy-hungry and expensive, a poor fit for low-inco...

Fadi Bou Ali: Green and Blue Bonds Between Promise and Hard Reality

Mar 4, 2026 27 min

In this episode of Development Aid Dialogues, podcast host Hisham Allam interviewed Fadi Bou Ali, a sustainable finance specialist working at the intersection of capital markets and climate solutions, for an in-depth look at how green and blue bonds are reshaping climate finance. Fadi, an expert within ABAAD - Resource Centre for Gender Equality, explains that green bonds and regular loans are “identical twins with different jobs”: structurally similar but governed by a legal contract that strictly earmarks money for climate-related projects rather than general spending. Blue bonds, he notes, are a subset of green bonds “where the money is earmarked for water,” financing marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, and wastewater treatment instead of roads or militaries. Fadi walks listeners through how a country issues a blue bond, from building a credible framework and getting a robust second-party opinion to ringfencing funds in dedicated accounts and subjecting them to independent audits. He points to Poland’s early sovereign green bond as a success story, where proceeds went to sectors like sustainable agriculture, clean transport, and national parks, backed by strict exclusion criteria that “legally barred any of this money from funding fossil fuel power or nuclear energy.” At the same time, he warns that rapid growth—sustainable bonds now amount to trillions—does not guarantee real-world impact. “We are falling into the semantic nerves,” he says, using ever fancier labels without knowing “if we are going to harvest tangible results.” The conversation tackles uncomfortable questions about scale, politics, and justice. Fadi is blunt: “I’m not optimistic,” arguing that market-based solutions alone cannot solve a crisis that demands a radical shift in mindset, especially in a world of polarization and rising climate denial. He highlights failures like supposedly “clean” hydropower that destroys river ecosystems and livelihoods, and the “bankable trap” that chann...

NGOs: From Band-aids to Real Impact. Breaking Silos with NCA’s Linda Nordby

Feb 18, 2026 22 min

Every year, the World NGO Day is a moment to recognize the work nonprofits and community-based organizations do in some of the world’s toughest places—and to be honest about the pressures they face, from shrinking civic space to falling budgets and rising security risks. To mark the day, DevelopmentAid Dialogues host Hisham Allam speaks with Linda Nordby, Head of the Humanitarian Division at Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), about what it really means for an international NGO to work “together with local communities and local civil society” rather than directing everything from the head office. For Nordby, this way of working “is part of our DNA,” not a new fashion. NCA’s aim is to tap into and strengthen “already existing networks or structures so that [they] become stronger and more resilient when a crisis hits,” instead of building parallel systems. In Sudan, that means combining humanitarian and development funding to support internally displaced people with cash, while also working with small-scale farmers and local markets so that “the local community can sort of sustain itself” after the emergency phase. NCA’s dual mandate allows it to address “underlying vulnerabilities” and “immediate needs” at the same time, but it also exposes tensions that many NGOs recognize. Building “proper partnership” and trust with grassroots movements and local organizations takes time, especially in fragile settings, and Nordby is clear that there is a power imbalance due to funding and audit requirements. She notes that NCA is consulting partners on its partnership policy and collecting regular feedback on “how we’re doing on basically being a partner,” yet donors’ compliance demands still make it hard for many national actors to “stand on their own.” Global aid cuts are tightening the screw further: 14 of 20 OECD DAC countries reduced aid in 2025, and efficiency gains “will not” compensate for all the losses. In response, NCA is trying to stay flexible on access, adjusting locatio...

Why big donors can’t deliver without NGOs: A dialogue with UNICEF’s Dara Johnston

Feb 4, 2026 20 min

In this episode of Development Aid Dialogues—marking International NGO Day at the end of February—podcast host Hisham Allam interviewed Dara Johnston, Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for UNICEF in Palestine, for an in-depth look at how nonprofits complement big institutions on the ground. With a month-long series spotlighting NGOs' grassroots role in crises, community voices and global agendas, this conversation zeroes in on water, sanitation and hygiene access for the most vulnerable. Johnston made it clear why NGOs stand out: they fill the gaps large agencies like UNICEF can't reach alone. "NGOs have the proximity, speed and operational capacity to implement effectively on the ground," he said. That played out in Bangladesh, where partners tackled sanitation in remote areas alongside arsenic in water. "The program at the end was very successful... they collaborated very effectively." Those strengths prove even more critical in emergencies. Take the 2017 Rohingya crisis, when NGOs ramped up fast for nearly a million displaced people despite years away from disaster work. "It was a very successful intervention, which undoubtedly saved many lives," Johnston said. When government red tape slows things, UNICEF steps in as a link: "We can be a sort of a bridge between the NGO partner and the government." That trust opens doors to real innovation on the ground. In one Myanmar village, locals expanded a UNICEF-NGO solar water system with elevated tanks, home pipes and meters—fully funded by the community itself. "This was something that we found when we came back... because it was all locally brought together," he recalled. And with aid budgets shrinking, such partnerships grow more vital. "With reduction in resources, we need to find ways to work more effectively." Still, pitfalls threaten this model, like donors pushing NGOs to act more like for-profit contractors. "It's not just the numbers, it's the quality... the sustainability," Johnston warned. Constant...

Reframing Dutch Aid: Steven Collet on Mutual Interests and Smart Partnerships in 2026

Jan 21, 2026 30 min

Reframing Dutch Aid: Steven Collet on Mutual Interests and Smart Partnerships in 2026 How does the international aid sector survive shrinking budgets? Hisham Allam asks Steven Collet, Deputy Director-General of International Cooperation at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With a background ranging from the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) to diplomatic missions in Tanzania and Vietnam, Collet knows the terrain cold. In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, he provides a straight-talking analysis of the European funding crisis, outlining the critical shifts in Dutch policy and what they mean for the future of global aid. Netherlands aid takes a 2.4 billion euro hit, sliding from 0.65% to 0.5% of Gross National Income (GNI), due to austerity measures, defense spending jumping to 2.2% of GDP, and public fatigue with blank-check aid. "Whilst we do face budget cuts and we are going down from .65% of GNI to .5% we still also have a considerable budget of 3.5 billion euro," Collet says, pointing to carve-outs for humanitarian work, Ukraine rebuilding, and asylum costs capped at 10%. The October 2025 general elections in the Netherlands could nudge it up—coalition talks show parties warmer to ODA. "This is not the final verdict; it could be different," he adds. Defense pressures hit everywhere in Europe, tied to Russia's war and less U.S. cover, while voters demand clear payoffs: "People want to understand why do we do this? Why does the government spend our taxpayer’s money in these countries?" The focus sharpens on shared stakes—security, trade, migration—in Africa's Sahel, Horn, and the Middle East. Humanitarian cash stays untouched, funneled unearmarked to NGOs and UN funds for spots like Sudan. "When you support without earmarking... that funding can be utilized at the moment it is required and wherever it is required," Collet explains. Partnerships lean on Dutch know-how in health, water, food to rebuild frayed social contracts and head off chaos. Pr...

Who really benefits from COP summits? Paulo C. De Miranda on power, money and climate reality

Jan 8, 2026 39 min

In climate politics, it is easy to treat COP summits as a travelling show: intense media noise, careful drafting marathons, and then a quick shift to the next crisis. In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam talked with Paulo C. De Miranda about when these summits stopped being just diplomacy and started to matter for people, balance sheets and fragile communities. Paulo, Chairman and Co-Founder of DEEP and a senior executive in impact management, argued that COPs only truly mattered “when they shape real investment decisions,” when declarations coming out of Belém or Dubai “flow into budgets, balance sheets and investment mandates” instead of remaining on paper. A central thread in the conversation was the gap between climate text and the financial system. Paulo said that the language of COP had improved and the scale of the problem was widely recognised, but he stressed that the world was “still not very close to closing the gap between the climate text and the financial system.” He pointed to the distance between trillion dollar announcements and the much smaller flows that reached communities living with volatility, displacement and compounded risks, and warned against “accounting optimism” that repackaged existing instruments without changing the rules of capital allocation. Politically, COP30 in Belém also exposed structural hesitation. Paulo highlighted one glaring omission: the failure to name fossil fuels explicitly in the outcome. He called this a critical signal that global politics around the fossil fuel economy “has not broken ties with the past,” despite the technology and resources available to move faster. If something as central as fossil fuel phaseout could not be clearly stated, he argued, it revealed the limits of the deal and showed how issues that should be nonnegotiable – fossil fuels, deforestation, protection of vulnerable communities – were still treated as bargaining chips. From a development perspective, Paulo...

UNOPS Rewires Aid Accountability: Tracking Scope 3 Emissions in the Development Sector (A Conversation with Samantha Stratton-Short)

Dec 17, 2025 26 min

The United Nations Office for Project Services, widely known as UNOPS, is pushing climate accountability into the core of development work by tackling the most elusive part of its carbon footprint: Scope 3 emissions. In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam speaks with Samantha Stratton-Short, Head of Strategic Initiatives, Infrastructure and Project Management at UNOPS and Manager of the UNOPS Climate Action Programme, about a new methodology designed to map, measure, and manage the emissions embedded in every stage of UNOPS’s value chain. Scope 3 emissions – those generated by suppliers, contractors, travel and the full life cycle of procured goods and infrastructure – typically account for 70-90% of an organization’s greenhouse gas footprint yet are the hardest to track because they depend on external data and lie outside direct operational control. “Reducing our direct operational emissions is a core responsibility for UNOPS,” Stratton-Short notes, “but we must go beyond that and measure the emissions of our suppliers, our partners and our implementation activities as well.” This broader view, she argues, “allows us to understand the full climate impact of our work and gives us the ability to influence others, even markets, to adopt new low-carbon solutions.” Over three years, UNOPS developed a step-by-step methodology that is compliant with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol but tailored to non-commercial, humanitarian operations and UN values such as inclusivity and stakeholder engagement. “We couldn’t just copy-paste private sector solutions,” she says, pointing to the unique way UN entities operate across more than 150 countries and project types. The result is a materiality framework that, in her words, is “robust enough to be scientifically sound, yet flexible enough for the UN’s complexity,” capable of systematically identifying “the highest emitting areas in our value chain with a specific focus on the delivery of development projects...

Raj M. Desai: Rethinking Development Finance in an Age of Shrinking Aid

Dec 3, 2025 32 min

International development is heading into a crunch moment, and this episode with Professor Raj M. Desai puts numbers, mechanisms, and politics around what “shrinking aid” really means for countries that still depend on it—especially in the context of USAID cuts and the growing push toward blended finance. In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, podcast host Hisham Allam speaks with Desai, a leading scholar of foreign aid and development finance at Georgetown University and the Brookings Institution, about how the sharp fall in official development assistance is reshaping global development and what options remain for countries trying to close financing gaps. The conversation opens with Desai’s diagnosis of why aid is falling just as needs spike: long-standing donor fatigue, the fiscal and political aftershocks of conflicts and refugee crises, and lingering budget pressures from the 2008 financial crash. He explains that foreign aid has become an easy political target in many donor countries, with bipartisan support in the United States for shrinking budgets and European donors increasingly redirecting funds to refugee resettlement and security spending at home, tightening the space for traditional development programs and setting the stage for debates on USAID cuts. Desai then outlines five strategies for countries facing declining concessional flows: mobilizing more domestic revenue, tapping diaspora financing, engaging cross-border philanthropy, expanding the use of blended finance and impact investment, and working more actively with newer bilateral and multilateral donors. He stresses that remittances, diaspora bonds and structured instruments can all play a role, and that newer players such as China, Gulf countries and emerging-economy funds could expand options if recipient governments strengthen their own aid coordination systems and avoid fragmented deals that respond only to short-term shocks like the 2025 USAID cuts rather than long-term development...

Rebecca Thissen: Putting Climate Justice at the Heart of COP30

Nov 27, 2025 19 min

In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, podcast host Hisham Allam interviewed Rebecca Thissen, Global Advocacy Lead at CAN International, for an in-depth look at the real outcomes of COP30 in Belem, Brazil. Thissen, a veteran defender of climate justice, shared her perspective as a COP30 participant on how high-stakes negotiations and geopolitical tensions shaped both the atmosphere and the decisions at this much-anticipated summit. Thissen described COP30 as “very challenging,” and pointed to “geopolitical tensions, wars and trade conflicts” influencing positions and making consensus elusive. Yet, she recognized one key shift: “For the first time, countries acknowledged that social justice and the realities of people, communities and workers are part of the climate action discourse.” The episode explored why climate action must move “beyond headlines and buzzwords,” and how real change depended on connecting global decisions to the lived experiences of those most affected. A major outcome of COP30, Thissen explained, was the Belem Action Mechanism—a just transition framework designed to bridge global commitments with local realities. “It was probably the most important decision made at COP30,” she said, “with the potential to help connect, in a much more concrete manner, the reality of transition on the ground to decisions.” She emphasized the power of bringing marginalized voices, from workers to trade unions to civil society, “to the table” for meaningful solutions. The conversation turned to finance, where Thissen was candid about ongoing obstacles: “Beyond the fact there was no new money on the table… we also saw backsliding from any commitment they had on climate finance. That was a very worrying trend.” And while the summit pledged to triple adaptation finance by 2035, she cautioned, “there is no clarity, no baseline, no timeline—just logos rather than concrete action.” Still, Thissen chose optimism, grounded in science and solidarity: “We didn’t hav...

Beyond the Chatbot: Why AI in Healthcare Still Needs the Human Touch. Insights with Prof. Krishnan Ganapathy

Nov 19, 2025 35 min

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we think about healthcare, offering new ways to connect, diagnose, and support patients—especially through telemedicine. More people than ever are speaking to their doctor from home, getting advice online, and sharing data from their devices. It’s fast, it’s convenient, and it’s full of promise. But is it enough? Where does technology stop and real human insight begin? In a recent episode of Development Aid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam sat down with Professor Krishnan Ganapathy, a veteran neurosurgeon and one of the world’s leading voices on digital health. Together, they cut through the hype to talk honestly about what AI can—and can’t—do for medicine today. Ganapathy doesn’t shy away from the benefits. He’s seen firsthand how remote consultations and wearable gadgets make it possible to spot health issues early, save time, and reach people who might otherwise be left behind. He’s comfortable with the future—“A clinician who’s not AI literate is a menace to society,” he says. Still, the heart of his message is caution. “Chatbots may handle routine questions, but they cannot get inside my brain—or understand my patient’s real needs.” No app or algorithm, he insists, can read the whole story behind a symptom. Instead, Ganapathy believes that good care depends on context, conversation, and trust. “The human-trained brain understands not just symptoms, but a patient’s story—their social status, their context, and can factor in what matters most.” He’s wary of putting too much faith in technology and sees doctors as the guardians of real judgment. “AI can recommend, but only humans should decide management for real people, at real moments.” He calls for proper training, careful oversight, and honest conversations between doctors and their patients about what technology can—and cannot—be trusted to do. “A fool with a tool is still a fool,” Ganapathy says with a smile. “Technology is only useful in the right hands.” This ep...

Artificial Intelligence and Telemedicine: Human Judgment in the Digital Era with Dr. Jan Niclas Strickling

Nov 6, 2025 28 min

The age of artificial intelligence is reshaping healthcare delivery worldwide, with telemedicine at the forefront of this transformation. In episode five of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Dr. med. Jan Niclas Strickling, a German board-certified interventional cardiologist who has played a key role in advancing telemedicine through Germany’s certified centers and holds multiple certifications from the German Society of Cardiology. “AI is redefining what’s possible in telemedicine—but at every step, it’s collaboration, not competition,” Strickling said, unpacking how digital tools are changing patient care.” Across Germany and the EU, AI-driven triage systems, medical imaging analysis, and real-time language translation are making healthcare more accessible. “If AI takes the strain out of documentation—which is half my daily work—it frees me to focus on the patient,” Strickling explained. Wearables like the Apple Watch, CPAP machines, and glucose sensors generate continuous data streams that help identify patients’ needs remotely, especially in underserved areas. But he cautioned that technology alone isn’t enough. “AI can bridge gaps, but equity depends on broadband access, device availability, and whether AI models are trained on diverse populations.” Without representative data, AI risks missing or misdiagnosing patients from different demographic groups. Alongside opportunity, risks persist. Strickling described “alert fatigue” where oversensitive AI systems overwhelm clinicians with notifications, potentially obscuring urgent issues. The bigger danger is “automation bias”—over-relying on AI recommendations while sidelining clinical judgment. “The final decision must remain human,” he stressed. He recalled uploading his own ECG to ChatGPT, which wrongly diagnosed a life-threatening arrhythmia. “For patients, that can cause needless fear and erode trust in doctors.” Highlighting the promise of AI, Strickling described a he...

Shadows Of Conflict: Why Some Emergencies Get Left Behind. A Quick-exchange with Desiree Ketabchi from OXFAM

Oct 22, 2025 15 min

The global humanitarian landscape is marked by stark contrasts: while some crises like Ukraine dominate international attention and resources, others such as Sudan, the Sahel, and Haiti struggle in the shadows. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam had a lightning interview with Désirée Ketabchi, Head of Humanitarian Action & Advocacy at Oxfam Belgium and a Brussels-based expert with experience at the European Parliament and Première Urgence Internationale. Ketabchi is a woman of action, with little time to be spent on talks. She offers a candid perspective on the drivers behind aid allocation, the real impact of funding cuts, and the urgent need to center humanitarian action on people’s needs beyond geopolitical interests. “The challenge is that aid increasingly follows politics rather than pure humanitarian need, leaving many crises forgotten and underserved,” Ketabchi explained. “We try to be people-centered, but funding is shrinking even as needs grow, forcing difficult choices.” Ketabchi described how geopolitical interests heavily shape donor decisions, creating disparities in which emergencies receive support. “When it’s not in the media spotlight, it’s hard to raise funds or public awareness, even if needs are severe.” She cited the impact of the Gaza conflict overshadowing crises like Sudan, where vulnerable populations especially women and children bear the brunt without sufficient attention from donors or the public. Calls for more flexible funding echo across her experience. “Rigid donor restrictions complicate rapid response,” she noted, observing that some governments’ foreign ministries and humanitarian agencies often struggle to align on priorities and modalities. Flexibility would enable aid organizations to deliver assistance based on evolving needs, not political calculations. Ketabchi highlighted the tangible fallout of recent funding cuts, particularly from USAID in the Democratic Republic of Congo. “Cuts...

Navigating the Aid Front Lines with Head of OCHA's UAE office Sajeda Shawa

Oct 8, 2025 31 min

World Humanitarian Day 2025, observed globally on August 19, stands as a solemn tribute to the courage and sacrifice of aid workers delivering hope amid crises. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Sajeda Shawa, head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the United Arab Emirates. With over 18 years of leadership in humanitarian affairs across the Middle East and beyond, Sajeda brings a rare combination of deep regional insight and global advocacy experience — notably serving as Special Advisor to the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria. “World Humanitarian Day is not a celebration; it’s a moment to remember those colleagues who have lost their lives delivering aid in some of the world’s most dangerous places,” Sajeda said. Last year alone, more than 380 humanitarian workers were killed, 98% of whom were national staff closely embedded with affected communities. Gaza remains the deadliest place for aid workers, with over 500 killed since October 2023. These numbers reflect not statistics, but human lives with stories, families, and profound loss. The scale of need continues to expand against a backdrop of more than 130 active armed conflicts globally. Sajeda highlighted that 300 million people are currently in need of humanitarian assistance — driven foremost by conflict and forced displacement at historic highs. Women, children, and marginalized groups disproportionately bear the brunt of crises exacerbated by rising food insecurity, sexual and gender-based violence, and the devastating impact of war on children. Climate change and natural disasters add layers of complexity and urgency to response needs worldwide. With attacks on aid workers reaching record levels, OCHA has intensified advocacy for protection and accountability. Sajeda described how the humanitarian community urges Member States and all parties to conflict to...

Transparency to the Bone: Rethinking Remote Aid with Ina Bluemel

Sep 24, 2025 34 min

The hard truth of modern humanitarian action was this: access had closed, risks had risen, and remote delivery had become unavoidable. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast (Season 3), host Hisham Allam spoke with Ina Bluemel—a veteran of emergency health, WASH, and logistics leadership across WHO, IFRC, and multiple NGOs—about what it took to keep aid effective when workers could not set foot on site, frameworks felt rigid, and trust was under strain. Bluemel set the tone bluntly: remote operations demanded relationship-building, coordination, and response start-up all at once—without physical presence—and shifted risk onto local partners who faced the threats international teams avoided. “This is never a one-man show,” she said, arguing remote response only worked when integrated teams supported partners and respected existing local systems instead of overriding them. On donors, she said the core challenge lay in accountability frameworks that scaled control but struggled with context. Many tools “lacked adaptability to a local context,” she argued, creating the familiar misfit where “your answer is A, but your structures are only providing B, C, and D.” The consequences, she added, included needs overlooked, wrong voices amplified, and vulnerable groups sidelined—unless agencies invested in triangulation, stronger local networks, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) shaped by the context rather than imposed upon it. Her prescription was radical in its simplicity: transparency “to the bone.” Bluemel acknowledged the sector’s fear that admitting problems risked future funding—“If we admit we’ve got it wrong, the likelihood that we’re going to get money in the future is reduced,” she said—but she argued donors must engage as partners, not just gatekeepers, and agencies must institutionalize feedback loops that made communities as central to accountability as funders. On data quality, she added that teams should combine primary and secondary sourc...

Beyond the Aid Cliff: Dr. Julius Sindi on What Comes After the Donor Exit

Sep 10, 2025 44 min

The age of abundant Western aid is ending—and this time, no rebound is guaranteed. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Dr. Julius Kirimi Sindi, a systems innovator and director of the Gates Foundation–backed Catalyze Impact Initiative, about how global development must adapt before it unravels. Drawing from decades of leadership in African research and reform, Sindi argues that this funding shift isn’t just financial—it’s existential. “We are seeing simultaneous crises,” he said. “Geopolitical tensions, climate shocks, and rising populism make aid less politically palatable.” Citing Executive Order 14169 in the U.S., UK aid cuts, and shrinking European budgets, he warned, “Unlike the past periods, today local institutions face digital competition and political issues they’ve never had to navigate before.” Why did so few see it coming? “Old patterns are very difficult to change,” he explained. “There’s been a culture of dependence… many assumed the big donors would always be there.” Instead of preparing for blended finance and sustainability, “most defaulted to grant-writing marathons.” Sindi believes the real test is organizational mindset. “In a VUCA world—volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous—five-year strategic plans are a suicide note,” he said. “Development organizations must decentralize, scenario-plan, and build feedback loops.” The challenge, he added, is cultural: “Most systems reward people who conform, not those who adapt.” On alternative funding, he is both candid and cautious. Private foundations like Gates or Rockefeller “are great at providing seed funding,” he noted, “but when it comes to scaling up, they’re not good at that.” As for impact investors? “It’s a mismatch in language and mindset,” Sindi explained. “They want monetization, risk mitigation—nonprofits speak of activities and outputs, not unit costs and return on investment.” One of his clearest lessons: financial credibility matters. “Onl...

Beyond the Flames and the Heatwaves: Robin Degron on Europe and the Mediterranean Basin’s Climate Crisis

Jul 30, 2025 36 min

Devastating wildfires and intense heatwaves are sweeping across continents—from Indonesia’s burning rainforests and Canada’s parched woodlands to Latin America and, of course, Europe’s Mediterranean coasts. The scale and frequency of these disasters are reminders that climate change is no longer a distant threat, but a global emergency demanding action at every level. In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Robin Degron, Director of Plan Bleu (UN Environment), about the changing climate landscape in the Mediterranean—and what its communities, economies, and ecology can teach the world about adaptation and resilience. Drawing on over thirty years of experience in environmental governance and sustainable development, Degron describes a “multi-seasonal climate crisis.” “Every spring and summer now bring higher risks of drought and wildfire,” he explains, “while autumn and winter see increasingly fierce floods and storms.” It’s a year-round test for governments and people—and the stakes are growing. Tourism, a pillar of many Mediterranean economies, faces new vulnerabilities. “The classic summer beach experience is shifting,” Degron notes. As extreme heat and fire risks grow, countries must extend tourist seasons, move activities inland, and highlight local heritage to buffer economic shocks and preserve jobs. But it is not just business at risk. Health systems are under pressure from rising heat-related illness, and communities are coping with evacuations, trauma, and altered daily life. Nature is also showing strain: Mediterranean forests face declining iconic tree species, and vital marine plants suffer in warming waters. Yet, with the right management—such as planting hardier trees and reimagining urban green spaces—there are signs of adaptation. Plan Bleu’s work goes further than research, focusing on building regional policy frameworks, piloting wildfire prevention barriers, and fostering cooperation across borders....

Can One Crisis Solve Another? Debt-for-Nature Swaps with Sawsan Bou Fakhreddine

Jul 23, 2025 31 min

As mounting debt strangles public services and climate disasters escalate, a provocative idea is gaining ground: what if countries could trade their debt burdens for environmental action? In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Sawsan Bou Fakhreddine, Director General of the Association for Forests, Development and Conservation (AFDC), about debt-for-nature swaps—a mechanism that promises relief for both treasuries and threatened ecosystems. From Lebanon’s crumbling forests to the global search for sustainable finance, Bou Fakhreddine brings rare on-the-ground insight into a tool many see as underused, poorly understood, and urgently needed. At their core, these swaps let heavily indebted countries reduce or restructure their debt in exchange for serious environmental commitments. The potential is huge—but so are the blind spots. “The level or the degree of degradation of land and ecosystems and natural resources is way faster than recovery,” Bou Fakhreddine warned. “What we lose in one day, for instance in wildfire, would need like a decade or more to be restored—if we are able to restore it.” Bou Fakhreddine, who also serves as a senior advisor to Lebanon’s Minister of Agriculture, has worked on disaster risk and ecosystem governance for over two decades. She says the concept is promising—but few understand it. “There’s misunderstanding about it at all levels,” she said. “At the government level, they don't see it as an opportunity.” Why? “Decision-makers... they don't see it in figures,” she explained. “If we manage to valorize the ecosystems—put a dollar value on land degradation... then they would start trying to understand this kind of concept.” But knowledge gaps aren’t the only barrier. “Poor governance is the first threat,” she said. “We have a lot of laws... but we don’t have the tools, the good governance, to be able to implement those strategies.” Even successful restoration plans often fall apart, she added...

The Aid Localization Mirage: Dr. Duncan Green on Why Shifting Power Means Rethinking Aid

Jul 9, 2025 38 min

“Localization” has become one of the most repeated terms in international development—but is it a genuine shift, or just a new label for old practices? In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Dr. Duncan Green, Professor in Practice at the London School of Economics and longtime Oxfam strategist, about why shifting power in aid is harder—and more essential—than most are willing to admit. “Localization means different things to different people,” Green began. “Some define it as simply channeling more funds to local organizations. But that alone won’t fix the system unless we also rethink how decisions are made, how impact is measured, and who gets to define what success looks like.” Speaking from years of close collaboration with Global South actors and reform initiatives, Green warned that while localization is often framed as empowering, it can easily become a tick-box exercise. “True power isn’t about shifting tasks, it’s about shifting the authority to decide—and that’s rarely on the table,” he said. He pointed to the deep institutional barriers that have stalled progress. “Aid agencies are still judged by how much money they move. Their internal incentives don’t reward giving power away,” he explained. “And donors still demand rigid plans and fast results, even when long-term change—like shifting harmful social norms—requires patience, trust, and deep context.” Green also urged the sector to stop romanticizing the word “community.” “Power exists inside communities too,” he cautioned. “Just because an organization is local doesn’t mean it’s accountable, inclusive, or equitable.” Amid growing aid cuts and political fragmentation, Green believes the landscape is shifting by necessity. “We may be witnessing a tsunami—not a tide—that washes away old assumptions,” he noted. “What rises from the wreckage might be more authentic, messier, and less funded—but also less colonial.” He sees promise in alternatives, from pooled funds...

Abandonment at the Breaking Point: Confronting Aid Cuts with Stephen Cornish

Jun 25, 2025 34 min

Abandonment at the Breaking Point: Confronting the Aid Cuts with Stephen Cornish By: DevelopmentAid Dialogues In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Stephen Cornish, General Director of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Switzerland, about the mounting global humanitarian crises—from famine zones in Sudan to the collapse of water systems in Chad—and the devastating impact of frozen aid funding. Cornish, who has spent decades leading humanitarian operations in some of the world’s most volatile regions, did not mince words. “In Sudan we have the world’s greatest humanitarian crisis,” he said. “And it’s also probably one of the most underreported.” Cornish detailed the grim situation across the region. “One-third of the population has been displaced—many, several times. According to WHO, 70% of health facilities in conflict areas are non-functional or destroyed,” he noted. “In Chad, over 700,000 people fled Darfur. Many were executed or faced sexual violence. They’re now just one epidemic away from a malnutrition and sanitation disaster.” The consequences are measurable and deadly. MSF screening in North Darfur revealed that “35.5% of children were acutely malnourished,” Cornish confirmed. “These are not just emergency stats. They signal total system failure.” But as needs skyrocket, donor funding is plummeting. Major cuts from USAID and European governments have left frontline organizations scrambling. “We are living through a moment of record need, and yet the humanitarian system is under shock,” Cornish warned. “One organisation had half its programming for Darfur cut from one day to the next.” This funding retreat forces impossible choices. “We have to make global triage decisions,” Cornish explained. “Sometimes we won’t build a hospital to redirect funds to life-saving work elsewhere. That means some people will go without assistance so others can survive.” Cornish also addressed the politicization of aid, particula...

Aid cuts: Gamble on development or risky retreat? Insights from Professor Stefan Dercon

Jun 11, 2025 39 min

In this 26th episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam interviews Stefan Dercon, Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford and author of Gambling on Development, about the global consequences of recent aid cuts by major donor countries, particularly the United States. As foreign aid budgets shrink and populist politics gain traction, the discussion delved into the complex motivations driving these cuts and their far-reaching consequences for vulnerable communities. Professor Dercon, who has advised multiple governments and development agencies, stressed that the changes underway go far beyond short-term budget adjustments. “This is not just about saving money,” he said. “It’s a sign of weakness. A sign that countries are no longer confident about their place in the world.” According to Dercon, the decision to scale back aid budgets reflects a shift in political narratives across Western nations. With rising domestic pressures, leaders are choosing retreat over engagement. “Cutting foreign aid may win headlines,” he warned, “but it damages credibility, influence, and ultimately, security.” Although certain opponents, like Elon Musk, have asserted that foreign aid is corrupt or ineffectual, Dercon argued that this viewpoint misses the subtleties. He cited life-saving interventions in Ghana, Ethiopia, and Bangladesh to support his claim that "there is plenty of aid that works." However, he admitted that aid has frequently failed to create sustainable systems in fragile nations like the DRC or South Sudan. "It's insufficient to save lives," he continued. "Aid must assist nations in becoming self-sufficient." Dercon called for more selective engagement, arguing that aid should be directed where local leadership shows real commitment to progress. “You can’t fix countries from the outside,” he said. “You need local forces of change. Without them, aid becomes a crutch rather than a catalyst.” The episode also tackled the immediate fa...

The War on Global Health | Diagnosing the Impact of Aid Cuts with Lisa Hilmi

May 28, 2025 34 min

As foreign aid cuts ripple across donor nations, global health systems are beginning to fracture. In the 25th episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam sat down with Lisa M. Hilmi, Executive Director of CORE Group, to discuss the very real and immediate consequences of this funding vacuum. Hilmi, a seasoned public health leader, has spent decades working across Africa, South Asia, and beyond, shaping frontline programs in partnership with governments and grassroots networks. Hilmi swiftly refuted the notion that recent aid reductions have had no human cost. “Children have tragically died from malnutrition due to the closure of feeding centers,” she said, adding that community health workers, many of whom are women and primary caregivers, are facing desperate circumstances: “Some are unable to afford school fees for their children or access life-saving medications for themselves. Several have even lost their lives to suicide after losing their jobs.” She said that the cuts were not just one-time budget decisions, but a planned breakdown of important infrastructure. "We're not getting the leadership or money we need from donor governments." The cuts came quickly and without warning; this was a planned attack on global health and humanitarian aid. “I think right now we're seeing a targeted war upon global health in the way that these cuts were implemented.”, added Hilmi. The ripple effects, she warned, are already apparent. “Polio eradication efforts have been suspended in some areas due to halted surveillance and vaccination campaigns,” Hilmi said. On malaria, she noted, “We’ve had reports from health workers and governments about shortages of diagnostic kits, insecticide-treated nets, and reduced educational outreach.” Hilmi pointed out that while the United States led the wave of withdrawals, others followed closely. “It’s not just the U.S.—the UK, France, and Germany have also reduced their commitments,” she said. While countries like...

Unveiling the aid cuts: Between chaos and power shifts | Rethinking the aid model with Katri Bertram

May 14, 2025 30 min

As foreign aid budgets shrink across Western nations, the global development sector is confronting a moment of reckoning. In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam speaks with Katri Bertram—a global health and development expert with two decades of experience spanning international organizations, NGOs, and government institutions. She is currently the International Director of Impact and Advocacy at Light for the World, focusing on disability inclusion and eye health. Her experience at the World Bank, Save the Children, and the German Federal Ministry of Health, informs the critical analysis she shares in this interview, examining how these historic aid cuts are reshaping global development—and what that means for accountability, power, and the future of international cooperation. Drawing on her experience, Bertram makes one thing clear: this is not just a funding crisis—it’s a systemic shift. “We’re not talking about minor adjustments,” she said. “These are real cuts — billions of dollars. Entire aid programs are being shut down. This is a cliff, not a dip.” The warning signs, Bertram noted, have been building for years, especially since 2015 when anti-migration politics began dominating the discourse in many European countries. “What started as rhetoric about refugees being a threat has seeped into how politicians view aid recipients,” she said. “The sector didn’t pay enough attention. Now the political narratives have overtaken the development agenda.” These shifts aren’t just ideological—they’re having tangible consequences. In health, where Bertram has focused much of her career, the data is devastating. “Recent figures show people die every day from HIV/AIDS due to U.S. aid cuts. Humanitarian services are reporting deaths as well. This isn’t theoretical. This is happening now.” Beyond the loss of life, she sees the chaos exposing a deeper dependency problem. “One donor pulling out should not collapse an entire health system. But it doe...

Water shortage isn't the problem - we are. Navigating the water crisis with David Shackleton.

May 1, 2025 41 min

In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam speaks with David Shackleton, CEO of SIS.BIO, about a problem that rarely makes headlines but affects millions every day: water that’s too polluted to use. Shackleton makes a clear distinction—this isn’t a crisis of not having enough water but of failing to protect what we already have. Through SIS.BIO, he’s leading efforts to bring damaged ecosystems in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs back to life so they become renewable and can once again sustain communities and local economies. "This isn't about running out of water," Shackleton said. "It's about the water we have being too contaminated to use." He remembered how toxic algae blooms in Lake Erie caused the city of Toledo, Ohio, to shut down its drinking water supply in 2014. "The lake was full of water, and it used to be great, but it became inappropriate for use. The problem wasn't with the amount of water.” That core idea drives the work being done at SIS.BIO. Rather than simply removing contaminants, the company is focused on helping nature do what it used to do—keep water clean through its own cycles. Using biotechnology, their approach aims to repair the underlying ecosystems that have broken down in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. “We’re trying to fix the system, not just treat the symptoms,” Shackleton said, underscoring the need for long-term solutions over short-term fixes. Also listen: From Rainwater Tanks to Dignity: The Ripple Effect of Water Access Projects | A dialogue with Dr. Kerstin Danert SIS.BIO believes that the best way to work with nature is not overpowering it at all. Their work, based on natural enzymes, boosts oxygen levels and then brings back aquatic ecosystems, helping restore the self-cleaning ability of water bodies. "Instead of dumping chemicals or building gigantic treatment facilities," Shackleton said, "we help nature do what it used to do on its own." This method has worked in a range of environments—from polluted...

The Future of Aid, Donald Trump, and the Prisoner’s Dilemma | A dialogue with Dr. Göran Holmqvist

Apr 16, 2025 26 min

While the drastic aid cuts announced by the largest donors are making the headlines around the world, a deeper issue may be at stake. In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam speaks to Dr. Göran Holmqvist, perhaps the most prominent voice in the international context of development, about the unprecedented shift in global aid paradigms. With decades of leadership experience, including at SIDA in Sweden, UNICEF's Office of Research in Florence, and the Nordic Africa Institute, Dr. Holmqvist is now a researcher at the Institute for Future Studies in Stockholm. His thinking is both urgent and sobering about the geopolitical undercurrents that are driving today's aid cuts. With foreign aid budgets slashed by up to 40% in the UK, France and Belgium, with Germany likely to follow, the question becomes that much more defining: is this a temporary response due to fiscal pressures or the beginning of a long-term retreat into a darker, more introspective place relative to global solidarity? Download the transcript of this episode. "In the short run, yes, it looks quite problematic," Holmqvist said. But he warned against drawing simplistic conclusions. “When it comes to the U.S., I believe the aid cuts reflect a deeper ideological repositioning. For some European countries, the reductions appear more reluctant—done with regret and driven by budgetary constraints rather than a lack of political will." Yet the implications are profound. Holmqvist emphasized that the challenges necessitating global cooperation—climate change, migration, conflict—are intensifying, not fading. “These problems will come back and haunt us. Eventually, we’ll have to return to the table of international cooperation.” The disconnect between public sentiment and political action has made aid an easy target. Holmqvist warned against internalizing the rhetoric that global solidarity is unpopular. “We shouldn’t buy into the idea that people don’t care anymore. That simply isn’t...

Corruption in healthcare, education & infrastructure: who pays the price in developing countries? | Dialogue with Jean-Pierre Méan, Attorney-at-law

Apr 3, 2025 36 min

One of the biggest barriers to sustainable development is still corruption, which undermines confidence in institutions, damages economies, and especially affects the most vulnerable. Host Hisham Allam talked with Dr. Jean-Pierre Méan, a well-known anti-corruption specialist and former president of Transparency International Switzerland, in this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues about the ongoing difficulties in the battle against corruption and the pressing need for systematic transformation. Dr. Méan brings decades of expertise in anti-corruption law and corporate compliance systems. He played a key role in drafting the 2011 edition of the International Chamber of Commerce’s Rules on Combating Corruption and contributed to the development of the ISO 37001 Standard on Anti-Bribery Management Systems. As the head of the working group that established competency requirements for auditors of these systems, he continues to oversee the standard’s implementation. His extensive experience includes advisory roles with the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the OECD, and the Cour des Comptes of the Canton of Vaud. In addition, he has authored numerous publications on international business, focusing on anti-corruption law and best practices. Download the transcript of this episode. Dr. Méan emphasized that although worldwide efforts have been made, corruption still flourishes because of political apathy and selective enforcement in systems where power and financial interests interact. “Corruption is a natural danger in any such system.”“We have the laws; what we lack is the will to enforce them effectively. Too often, corruption cases are ignored or pursued selectively, undermining public trust in the system,” he explained.Despite a proliferation of international agreements and compliance programs, Dr. Méan emphasized that these measures often amount to little more than symbolic gestures. “We need a shift in mindset. Anti-corruption measures should not be seen as mere...

International Development Exodus: Who Pays the Price When the U.S. Pulls Out? discussion with Felix Gnehm

Mar 6, 2025 32 min

In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam confronted the seismic repercussions of the United States’ decision to slash USAID funding—a policy shift that destabilized the global aid sector and left vulnerable communities worldwide in peril. The cuts didn’t just trim budgets; they severed lifelines, strained alliances, and reshaped geopolitical power dynamics. Felix Gnehm, President of Alliance Sud and Director of Solidar Suisse, joined the discussion with stark warnings. A veteran of humanitarian crises—from post-earthquake recovery in Pakistan to U.N. policy advocacy—Gnehm minced no words: “This isn’t just a funding cut. It’s a massive blow to global cooperation. We haven’t seen such a brutal and honest disruption before.” The cuts immediately halted critical programs, from healthcare initiatives to election support projects. Gnehm cited canceled contracts totaling over $4 billion, including a $130 million healthcare project in Madagascar and a $40 million education program in the Philippines. “Sixty-four election-related projects in nations like Senegal were scrapped overnight,” he said. “We’re looking at a complete breakdown of critical services. Without intervention, millions will suffer, and instability will rise.” See also: US Aid Freeze: Immediate Effects of the Executive Order | DevelopmentAid Dialogues When asked whether other donors could fill the void, Gnehm dismissed the idea. Though the European Union and smaller donors had floated pledges, he argued: “This gap is billions of dollars, and you can’t just fill it. No nation can intervene overnight.” While he acknowledged a potential long-term opportunity to reform aid systems, he stressed, “The short-term consequences will be severe.” With the U.S. retreating, Gnehm noted that China, Russia, and Gulf states had swiftly expanded their influence through loans and infrastructure deals. But he questioned their motives: “These donors don’t ask people what they need. They just build roads...

Surviving USA Stop Work Orders: recovery tactics and legal recourse with Katherine Gentic a Government Compliance, Contracts and Pricing Specialist

Feb 18, 2025 25 min

This episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues examines the rising trend of USAID stop work orders and the difficulties they pose for implementing partners. These unexpected pauses in project activity have left organizations struggling with the urgent need to continue essential development work, financial uncertainty, and compliance challenges. Stop work orders (SWOs), which USAID has been using more frequently lately, have left partners juggling compliance, financial survival, and the urgent need to continue essential projects. To discuss this pressing issue, our host Hisham Allam is joined by Katherine Gentic, an expert in USAID compliance and contract management. With over 20 years of experience and a track record of advising more than 50 USAID partners, Katherine provided critical insights into how organizations can navigate these disruptions while protecting their teams, subcontractors, and project continuity. The episode begins with a breakdown of USAID’s stop work orders—what they entail, how they should be implemented under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and why recent instances deviate from best practices. According to Katherine, these orders have been issued hastily, often with vague language and little opportunity for contractors to seek clarification. “USAID staff have largely been instructed not to discuss these orders outside the agency,” Katherine explained. “This has left contractors interpreting them on their own, with no clear guidance on what costs they can continue to incur.” The financial repercussions are profound. Many USAID-funded partners, particularly small businesses and subcontractors, are struggling to stay afloat while waiting for clarity on cost reimbursement. “Stop work orders are not terminations, but many partners expect the worst. “The financial burden of waiting for resolution is frequently unsustainable,” Katherine warned. With uncertain timelines and delayed communication, how can organizations reduce expenses without jeopardiz...

The Hidden Cost of Ethical Farming: Are Fair Trade and Organic Myths? | A dialogue with Carmelo Troccoli and Kyle Newell

Feb 14, 2025 42 min

Guest Description: Carmelo Troccoli, the General Director of Campania Amica Foundation and the World Farmers Market Coalition & Kyle Newell, Managing director at The Aspen Institute, a global leader in connecting smallholder farmers to commercial value change. Episode Description: In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, Hisham Allam invited 2 renowned pioneers in sustainable agriculture to discuss the delicate balance between ethical goals and practical challenges. The discussion focused on ethical certifications, sustainable farming techniques, and the role of legislation in influencing agriculture's future. Carmelo kicked off the conversation by addressing the complexities of open markets in Europe. While free trade agreements have increased worldwide market access, he highlighted the underlying inequities: "European farmers face stringent quality standards, but similar rules are rarely enforced for imported products." This absence of reciprocity places a major burden on our farmers." He emphasized the necessity of adding environmental and social factors into trade deals, using the EU-Mercosur deal as an example. "A fair trade system must ensure that imported goods adhere to the same standards we impose on our farmers," he told reporters. Kyle Newell discussed the influence of ethical certifications like Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance on smallholder farmers. While these certificates provide access to premium markets, they also present substantial hurdles. "Currently, they apply to only about 0.5% of global agriculture," he told me. "The high upfront costs often make them inaccessible to small-scale farmers." Newell recommended realistic measures like cutting certification fees and acknowledging existing sustainable activities. "In Sub-Saharan Africa, many smallholder farmers already plant organically because they cannot afford chemical inputs. However, the expense of organic certification frequently outweighs the benefits for them," he added, emphas...

International Development Crisis: How Budget Cuts are Reshaping Humanitarian Efforts | Analysis with Isam Khatib, an Expert in Policy Strategies

Feb 14, 2025 23 min

Guest Description: Isam Khatib, Human Rights & Sustainable Development Specialist. Expert in foreign policy strategies, international development, and human rights advocacy, with a special focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Episode Description: In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam examines the growing trend of global government cuts to development aid budgets and their profound implications for humanitarian organizations and vulnerable communities. Joining the discussion is Isam Khatib, an expert in foreign policy strategies, international development, and human rights advocacy, with a special focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Khatib brought a lot of expertise to the table having earned a master's degree in sustainable development from the University of Sussex and years of experience working with esteemed organizations, including USAID, GIZ, AFD, and SIDA. His work bridged development aid with policy frameworks to tackle regional challenges and foster sustainable solutions. His work bridged development aid with policy frameworks to tackle regional challenges and foster sustainable solutions. The discussion began with the Netherlands' recent decision to reduce its aid budget by $2.4 billion over three years, which Khatib described as "a seismic shift in global development priorities." He stressed the magnitude of the loss, indicating that partnerships with NGOs were going to shrink dramatically—from $1.4 billion to $400 million—resulting in a historic financial shortage. "This was not just a budgetary adjustment," Khatib said. "It was a statement about how nations were rethinking their global responsibilities, often at the expense of the most vulnerable." Khatib placed this decision within a larger trend that began in 2022, when countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, and France implemented similar changes. He emphasized the cumulative impact of these cuts, which threatened t...

US Aid Freeze: immediate effects of the Executive Order | A dialogue with Matthew Robinson

Feb 3, 2025 30 min

In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam delves into the consequences of the United States’ recent aid cuts, including their catastrophic impact on the global aid sector and vulnerable people. These decisions, mostly influenced by the Trump administration’s foreign aid policy, have resulted in far-reaching changes, such as funding freezes, program suspensions, and withdrawal from major global projects such as the World Health Organization (WHO). Download the transcript of this episode. Director of the Euro-Gulf Information Center Matthew Robinson, a seasoned specialist in development, humanitarian advocacy, and foreign policy, joined the conversation. Robinson’s impressive record includes serving as a Brussels and Strasbourg advisor on international trade, foreign affairs, and humanitarian issues. His background includes work with significant international organizations, including the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, where he also contributed to strategies for global development. The discussion began with an overview of the United States aid cuts, including a 90-day suspension of all foreign assistance programs pending reviews. According to Robinson, this is “a pivotal moment that redefines the role of the United States in global development.” He emphasized the magnitude of the cuts, which will have an immediate impact on initiatives promoting disaster relief, education, health, and anti-corruption. Robinson emphasized that these decisions have a human cost, particularly in conflict zones such as Syria and Sub-Saharan Africa. He stated that when critical aid initiatives are halted, millions of people lose access to clean water, healthcare, and education, as well as financial support. See also: Kenya’s 2024 humanitarian aid landscape: Impact of US 90-day aid suspension There was also discussion about how the United States’ decision to withdraw from the WHO would affect global health. The organization’s ability to respond to medi...

Illegal Adoption vs. Child Trafficking: Where Do We Draw the Line? | with Dr. Eefje De Volder, IMPACT

Jan 23, 2025 38 min

Guest Description: Dr. Eefje De Volder, a leading expert in human trafficking and co-founder of IMPACT. Dr. De Volder also co-owns Rwandan Empowerment Coffee, a social enterprise empowering female survivors of sexual violence in Rwanda. Episode Description: Dr. De Volder is highlighting the broad scope of human trafficking, defined under the Palermo Protocol. While traditionally associated with sexual exploitation, trafficking encompasses forced labor, organ removal, and now, as recognized by the EU in 2024, forced surrogacy, forced marriage, and illegal adoption. The ethical and legal conundrums regarding forced marriage and forced surrogacy came up for consideration. Dr. De Volder clarified that forced surrogacy frequently functions under the pretense of commercial surrogacy, stressing the importance of differentiating between exploitative and consenting arrangements. Similarly, it is difficult to prosecute forced marriage since it is entwined with cultural customs. She pointed out that victims find it difficult to speak out against their relatives, saying: "The social pressures within communities often blur the line between arranged and forced marriages." Dr. De Volder disclosed the crucial role corruption plays in illicit adoption. She emphasized how systemic problems sustain exploitation, from forged documents to forced child surrender. She noted that corruption not only makes these crimes easier to do, but it also makes it very difficult for adoptive parents to recognize the exploitation that goes on behind the scenes. The economic foundations of human trafficking were also discussed. The desire for cheap labor and goods fosters exploitation, and trafficking thrives on global disparities and unregulated capitalist institutions, Dr. De Volder stressed. She urged consumers to think about the human cost of their purchases and advocated for communal accountability. Dr. De Volder highlighted the transformative influence of her social venture, Rwandan Empowermen...

The Future of Farming: Can AI and Drones Save Agriculture—or Destroy It?

Nov 21, 2024 46 min

Guest Description: Brian Anderson Director of Finance and Operations, worked with major food and agriculture corporations and Kyle Newell, Director of Aspen Institute, a global leader in connecting smallholder farmers to commercial value chains. Episode outline: At a crossroads, modern agriculture must strike a balance between environmental sustainability, economic growth, and food security. Hisham Allam, host of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, had an interesting discussion with agricultural experts Brian Anderson and Kyle Newell about how new farming methods and regulations are creating a sustainable future. Brian, an agricultural economist, and Kyle, who has extensive experience working with smallholder farmers in Africa, shared ideas on empowering farmers, utilizing technology, and creating resilient agricultural systems. Kyle underlined the need for straightforward, doable concepts, particularly for farmers in the Global South. "The simplest solutions are frequently the best in the Global South," he stated. By focusing on basic needs and developing tools that align with farmers' everyday challenges, he and his team have pushed for more beneficial agricultural innovations. Brian described the development of precision agriculture, which uses data to increase farming output, from a technology perspective. "We've talked about precision farming for decades, but only now is the technology becoming accessible," he stated. He did point out, though, that contemporary technology like drones and the Internet of Things are often unsuitable, especially on smaller farms. "We need to make sure the technology is scalable and useful on the ground," he stated. Smallholder farmers, who produce 80% of the world's food, are critical to ensuring food security. Kyle explained that, while these farmers contribute significantly to the world food supply, they frequently work with little resources and outmoded tools. "In many emerging markets, the agricultural workforce is vast—yet the resour...

Limited funding, resource gaps, and systemic biases can’t stop positive outcomes for human trafficking survivors | A conversation with Angie Staley

Nov 8, 2024 26 min

Guest Description: Angie Staley, an expert in anti-human trafficking and transitional housing. Episode description: Human trafficking is a complex global crisis impacting millions, each survivor’s journey marked by resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship. Angie Staley, with over 12 years of experience in residential coordination, offers essential support to survivors, helping them heal and rebuild. In this episode, Angie shares her human-centered approach to recovery, where each step—no matter how small—brings survivors closer to lasting change. Her method goes beyond one-time interventions, focusing on a sustained commitment to understanding and supporting each individual’s needs. By fostering a space of trust and presence, Angie helps survivors feel seen and empowered. Yet, working in such a challenging field brings ethical dilemmas, where resources are limited, and the right course of action isn’t always clear. Angie’s story reveals the power of persistence and compassion in navigating these crossroads and advocating for the dignity of every survivor. Listen to our latest podcast for more on Angie Staley’s Subscribe to our podcast series and do not miss an important dialogue. The podcast is sponsored by DevelopmentAid. Procurement notices, funding and grants to opportunities, lists of potential partners, insights into market trends, databases of development professionals, webinars, latest news, and much more. Stay informed and connected. Subscribe and Stay Connected

Corruption’s Two-Way Street: How UK Bribery and Illicit Flows Drive Global Corruption | with Phil Mason, Anti-corruption policy advisor

Oct 16, 2024 44 min

Guest Description: Phil Mason a leading player in the global fight against corruption. Mr. Mason has over 20 years of experience at the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) and a long history of international anti-corruption operations. Episode Description: In this episode, we discuss the systemic threat of corruption in international development. Phil Mason discusses the internal challenges within development agencies in adopting a holistic strategy to tackle corruption, often seen as a niche issue rather than one that spans sectors like health, education, and infrastructure. Mason stresses that separating corruption from broader development efforts weakens anti-corruption strategies. Mason also highlights the external pressures agencies face, especially when working with governments. "How do you combat corruption when those you're working with are complicit?" he asks, highlighting the complexities of international collaboration. He advocates for a unified, all-of-government approach, where diplomacy and trade policy play key roles in anti-corruption efforts, not just development agencies. The episode explores solutions that have proven effective in reducing corruption over the past two decades, including transparency measures like open procurement, e-governance, and asset declarations. Mason explains how these tools reduce opportunities for corruption by increasing the risk of being caught. Additionally, he discusses the transformative role of big data in tracking corruption in real time. However, Mason cautions that technology alone isn’t enough. He emphasizes the need for follow-through when corruption is exposed, using India's "I Paid a Bribe" campaign as an example of a well-intentioned effort that lacks enforcement. "It’s cathartic to report, but if nothing happens afterward, the impact is lost," he says. Mason reflects on the personal resilience required to fight corruption, noting that progress is often slow, and the battles are long-term....

Political & Economic Interests Behind Climate Disinformation | Conversation with Jennie King at ISD.

Sep 10, 2024 40 min

Guest Description: Jennie King, Director of Climate Disinformation Research and Policy at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD). Ms. King provided crucial insights into the dynamics of climate disinformation and the larger online information ecology. She stressed that “climate disinformation is being deployed strategically to undermine urgent environmental action,” and that misinformation campaigns frequently exploit legitimate worries about energy security and food supply to stymie climate efforts. This tactic, she explained, is intended to cause confusion and delay decisive policy decisions. Ms. King also highlighted ISD’s comprehensive research, which tracks both overt and covert disinformation campaigns on major digital platforms. For example, she pointed to a study conducted by ISD and the Conscious Advertising Network, which revealed that mainstream advertisers often unknowingly fund websites that propagate false climate narratives. “It’s a systemic issue where advertisers may not realize that their dollars are supporting disinformation,” she explained.A substantial chunk of the conversation focused on the urgent need for regulation. Ms. King called for strong legislative frameworks, such as the European Union’s Digital Services Act, which requires corporations to examine and minimize the risks connected with their online platforms. “Regulation is essential to create the enabling environment for better scrutiny and accountability of the private sector,” she asserted.According to Ms. King, this regulatory strategy will encourage a more transparent digital world by limiting harmful content and rewarding platforms to promote meaningful conversation rather than controversy. The podcast also touched on the role of social media in climate debates, with Ms. King outlining how algorithms “create perverse incentives that are built around outrage and division” rather than encouraging informed, evidence-based discussions. As a response, she argued for the demonetiz...

Water, Land, and Power: The Interconnectedness of Sustainable Development | with Sean Furey from SKAT foundation

Aug 22, 2024 26 min

Our guest: Sean Furey, the Secretariat Director of the Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN). During the episode, Mr. Furey shared insights with podcast host Hisham Allam into the vast network of community organizations managing water systems and the challenges they face. Highlighting a recent example from Ecuador, he illustrated the extensive scale of these operations, supported by thousands of community boards and municipalities. A key focus of RWSN’s work is leveraging technology to connect people and disseminate crucial information. Mr. Furey emphasized the potential of online tools, such as WhatsApp and AI, to provide valuable services and facilitate connections among water professionals. He underscored the importance of local and national level collaboration in addressing complex issues like climate change and water resource management. One notable shift in the sector is the adoption of solar-powered groundwater pumping technologies. Mr. Furey discussed how solar pumps outperform typical hand pumps or diesel-powered systems, especially in rural and small-town settings. However, he also emphasized the risks of over-extraction of groundwater resources, particularly in agricultural sectors. According to a study carried out among RWSN members, hand pumps will continue to be essential in distant, low-income communities even though solar pumping is thought to be the way of the future. Given the challenging conditions and logistical challenges associated with providing service to remote places, manufacturers face a challenge in striking a balance between price, quality, and reliability. In Sub-Saharan Africa, groundwater management remains a critical issue. Mr. Furey drew attention to the need for a deeper understanding of groundwater resources, which are anticipated to become even more crucial due to climate change. He discussed research program findings that demonstrate increased groundwater recharge in dryland Africa, providing a positive outlook for future water man...

Early Warnings & Noodle Networks: Innovative Strategies for Disaster Response | with Manu Gupta Disaster Resilience Expert

Aug 5, 2024 32 min

In the realm of humanitarianism and disaster response, Dr. Manu Gupta shines as a guiding light of unwavering dedication and passionate advocacy. With over three decades of experience, his journey from volunteer work to founding SEEDS (Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society) reflects a profound commitment to empowering communities and building resilience in the face of adversity. A recent interview with Development Aid Dialogues sheds light on Dr. Gupta's remarkable journey and the invaluable lessons he has gleaned along the way. From his early experiences as a relief worker to his pivotal role in shaping disaster risk reduction efforts, Dr. Gupta's insights offer a roadmap for effective humanitarian action in a rapidly changing world. Reflecting on his formative years, Dr. Gupta recalls a transformative moment during the 2001 Gujarat earthquake. Witnessing the devastating impact of the earthquake firsthand, he was struck by the realization that many lives could have been saved with stronger, more resilient infrastructure. This experience sparked a lifelong commitment to disaster risk reduction and post-disaster recovery efforts aimed at building safer, more resilient communities. "A post-disaster response is usually the actions taken by humanitarians such as us to respond to the needs of people who have been hit by crisis," Dr. Gupta emphasizes. One of the key lessons Dr. Gupta has learned is the importance of restoring agency to affected communities in the aftermath of a disaster. He emphasizes the need for communities to be actively involved in their own recovery, stating, "When the most affected people are at the center of post-disaster recovery, the intervention not only stays with them but then they also innovate, they also evolve." "We felt that at this time, when we do the rebuilding work in the same communities, the houses need to be strong enough... People should know the potential impact of an earthquake," Dr. Gupta explains. Community...

Human Trafficking Unveiled: Insights from the Frontlines | A dialogue with Tatiana Kotlyarenko Expert on Human trafficking

Jul 16, 2024 35 min

Guest Description: Tatiana Kotlyarenko, Expert on GBV and Human Trafficking Episode sneak peak: In the latest DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, Tatiana Kotlyarenko, a human rights defender, discusses the complexities of human trafficking with Hisham Allam. She emphasizes that trafficking involves organized crime and corruption, complicating efforts to combat it. Kotlyarenko shares her experience evacuating at-risk individuals from Afghanistan, highlighting the importance of international solidarity. She dispels myths about trafficking, noting its evolution to include domestic and online exploitation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kotlyarenko stresses the need for parental vigilance and the role of educational institutions in prevention. She also highlights technology’s role, citing projects like Racknet and Thorne, which use tech to protect children from trafficking. Kotlyarenko’s journey from Ivy League education to grassroots activism underscores the need for a holistic approach that combines academic knowledge with practical experience to develop effective human rights policies. The podcast is sponsored by DevelopmentAid. Procurement notices, funding and grants to opportunities, lists of potential partners, insights into market trends, databases of development professionals, webinars, latest news, and much more. Stay informed and connected. Subscribe and Stay Connected

Voices from Yemen: Delivering AID in a Conflict Zone | Dialogue with Ibrahim El Haddad from OCHA

Jul 1, 2024 31 min

Yemen grapples with a staggering humanitarian crisis, leaving millions dependent on aid for survival. Delivering that assistance, however, is fraught with challenges. In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, Ibrahim Elhadhad, a UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) official, offers alongside Hisham Allam a firsthand look at the complexities of navigating aid delivery in Yemen and the unwavering commitment to helping those most in need. OCHA plays a central role in coordinating the response. Elhadhad explains a standardized framework used to identify the most vulnerable populations – a crucial step when resources are limited. Tough decisions are inevitable, but Elhadhad emphasizes that even those who don't receive direct aid benefit from a more streamlined response. The volatile security situation creates significant dangers for aid workers. Elhadhad acknowledges the ever-present threat of assassinations, detentions, and kidnappings. OCHA implements safety measures, analyzing the presence of armed actors, securing facilities, and obtaining movement permits. Elhadhad uses the example of curfews to illustrate the constant need to navigate the complexities on the ground. Reaching the most vulnerable people - women, children, and the displaced - is a continuous priority. Elhadhad describes how OCHA achieves this by gathering data broken down by gender, age, and susceptibility. This data, along with a comprehensive monitoring system, enables transparent reporting and verification of aid delivery. Despite these efforts, the magnitude of the situation is enormous. Millions of people are denied access to crucial help due to funding shortfalls. Elhadhad underlines the urgent need for more donor support. The podcast is sponsored by DevelopmentAid. Procurement notices, funding and grants to opportunities, lists of potential partners, insights into market trends, databases of development professionals, webinars, latest news, and much more. Stay inform...

From Rainwater Tanks to Dignity: The Ripple Effect of Water Access Projects | Dialogue with Kerstin Danert from Ask for Water

Jun 11, 2024 23 min

Guest description: Dr. Kerstin Danert, the founder and director of Ask for Water. Ask for Water works collaboratively with governments, NGOs, and research institutions. They focus not just on the technical aspects of borehole drilling, but also on building capacity, ensuring quality control, and implementing sustainable practices. Episode Description: In this episode, we discuss water access in low- and middle-income countries with Dr. Danert. Hey journey began in Uganda, where she witnessed firsthand the struggles of communities relying on unsafe water sources. She emphasizes the importance of having qualified professionals engaged into projects as well as proper techniques in borehole drilling. Dr. Danert emphasizes that "a borehole is much more than a hole in the ground." Ask for Water champions responsible practices that ensure long-term functionality and prevent well failure. The heart of the episode lies in the human stories. Dr. Danert shares a moving story about a Ugandan woman whose life was transformed by having access to clean water at home. This simple act brought dignity, freed her from arduous journeys to distant springs, and empowered her to participate more fully in her community. This story exemplifies the ripple effect of water access projects, impacting health, education, and gender equality. The episode doesn't shy away from the challenges. Dr. Danert expresses concern about the current emphasis on drilling quantity over long-term project sustainability. She stresses the importance of responsible planning, cost analysis, and community involvement to ensure projects continue to provide clean water for years to come. "From Rainwater Tanks to Dignity" is an inspiring exploration of Ask for Water's impactful work. It leaves us with a renewed appreciation for the life-changing power of clean water access and the dedication of organizations like Ask for Water who are committed to finding innovative and sustainable solutions. The podcast is sponsor...

Turning Trash to Treasure: Organic Waste Management | Latin American Perspective with Sandra Mendez

May 27, 2024 23 min

Guest description: Sandra Méndez F. is an experienced expert and project developer, and coordinator at Skat. Episode description: In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, we explore the current state of waste management in Latin America and the innovative solutions emerging across the region. Dr. Fagrado paints a vivid picture of the waste management landscape, highlighting the predominance of landfilling without separation. She emphasizes that over 50% of waste comprises organics, presenting significant environmental concerns. From large-scale composting facilities to community-driven programs, a shift towards sustainable waste management is underway in Latin America. Colombia's Green Terrace project exemplifies this movement, aiming to create a closed loop between organic waste and healthy food production through composting and urban agriculture. The path towards sustainable waste management isn't without its bumps. Dr. Fagrado pinpoints limited technical knowledge and time constraints as key obstacles for residents. However, she remains optimistic, underlining the power of education and awareness campaigns to drive cultural change. "Environmental education activities and information campaigns are very important," Dr. Fagrado emphasizes, highlighting the need for comprehensive solutions. Dr. Fagrado's insights paint a hopeful picture: waste management in Latin America is evolving from disposal to opportunity. Innovation, education, and collaboration are paving the way for a sustainable future. Projects like Green Terrace illuminate this shift, showcasing how waste can be transformed into a resource. The podcast is sponsored by DevelopmentAid. Procurement notices, funding and grants to opportunities, lists of potential partners, insights into market trends, databases of development professionals, webinars, latest news, and much more. Stay informed and connected. Subscribe and Stay Connected

Profit and Purpose: Aligning Business & Social Good in Development Partnerships | with Kim Eric Bettcher, CIPE

May 13, 2024 31 min

Our Guest: Kim Eric Bettcher, a leading expert from CIPE's Policy and Program Learning department, specializing in democratic governance and international partnerships. Episode Description: In this episode, we discuss the role of partnerships and knowledge management in advancing global development goals. Our guest, Kim Bettcher believes that collaboration can bring about significant change and views partnerships as crucial catalysts for systemic transformation. He also emphasizes the importance of inclusive conversation and involvement in promoting sustainable development. He believes that "voice is essential" and advocates for empowering underprivileged populations to influence development goals. This underlines the necessity of including multiple voices and perspectives in decision-making processes. Regarding technology in development, Bettcher stresses the importance of finding a balance that prioritizes human needs. He suggests, "Partnerships should leverage technology," emphasizing that technology should support rather than overshadow the core principles of collaboration. This highlights the need to use technology as a tool to improve communication, data sharing, and project effectiveness. Additionally, Bettcher emphasizes the necessity of fostering a culture of learning and adaptability within partnerships. He points out, "It's all about mindset, not just resources," emphasizing the importance of embracing a mindset focused on continuous learning and innovation. This underscores the significance of being flexible and resilient in navigating the ever-changing landscape of development cooperation. As the global community endeavors to achieve sustainable development goals, Kim Eric Bettcher's insights offer invaluable guidance for forging effective partnerships and driving meaningful change. By embracing collaborative innovation, centering inclusive participation, balancing technological advancements, and nurturing a culture of learning, we can collectively...

Mosquitoes, Money & a Warming World: Why a Malaria Vaccine Isn't Enough | Insights from Scott Filler

Apr 18, 2024 30 min

Guest Description: Scott Filler, Senior Disease Coordinator at the Global Fund, a worldwide movement to defeat HIV, TB and malaria. Episode description: In this episode, we discuss Dr. Filler's journey, from a personal encounter with the disease to spearheading innovative initiatives. This profound sense of purpose fuels Dr. Filler's tireless advocacy for equal access to healthcare, regardless of birthplace. He asserts, "No child should have to face the devastating consequences. They didn't choose where they were born." Throughout the podcast, Dr. Filler navigates the complex landscape of malaria control and elimination with clarity and insight. He discusses innovative initiatives like the Regional Artemisinin-resistance Initiative (RAI) and addresses the disruptive impacts of climate change, offering a comprehensive understanding of the challenges at hand. Dr. Filler emphasizes the critical importance of international cooperation, knowledge sharing and the need for a unified response, stating, "Malaria doesn't respect borders. A strategy for drug resistance requires a regional approach where we discuss all anti-malarias entering a particular region." Dr. Filler's insights illuminate the interconnected nature of the fight against malaria, transcending geographical boundaries in pursuit of a common goal. The podcast is sponsored by DevelopmentAid. Procurement notices, funding and grants to opportunities, lists of potential partners, insights into market trends, databases of development professionals, webinars, latest news, and much more. Stay informed and connected. Subscribe and Stay Connected

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Seven Liters a Day: Inside Taiz's Water Emergency with Ali Alqubati

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Podcast details

Created by: Hisham Allam
Status: Active
Latest episode: Nov 12, 2026
Episodes: 52
Release period: Monthly
Avg. episode length: 30 min
Explicit: No
Language: English

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