The congress on “Localization of Humanitarian Action: Latin America & the Caribbean” held in Bogota, Colombia, on 8-9 November 2023, was a pivotal event gathering humanitarian actors from local and international spheres from Latin America and the Caribbean. Organized by the Local Humanitarian Partners (LHPs) ToGETHER Programme in Colombia, including ABIUDEA, Associacion Salto Ángel, Benposta Nación de Muchachos, Corporación Agencia Afrocolombiana “Hileros”, and the National Secretariat of Social Pastoral Caritas Colombiana SNPS-CC, this two-day event delved deep into panels, dialogues and workshops, and experiential sessions, aiming to drew attention to pivotal issues shaping humanitarian action in the region.

Day 1: Understanding Localization in Crisis and Change

The opening dialogue, “Localization Facing Crises and Change in Latin America and the Caribbean,” set the stage for in-depth discussions. Organizations shared their strategies, highlighting the importance of transparent roles, risk-sharing policies, and security measures for local partners. Addressing challenges such as resource allocation and language barriers, the discourse underlined the significance of regional collaboration and community-based approaches, exemplified by initiatives like citizen laboratories and real-time migration monitoring.

The subsequent panel, “Existence of Localization in Latin America and the Caribbean: Challenges and Reflections,” delved into the genesis and implementation challenges of the concept. Discussions stressed the importance of understanding local capacities and adapting systems accordingly. Intersectional challenges with gender, rights, and protection were discussed, advocating for inclusive systems and community participation.

The “Local Experiences” segment unveiled successful cases such as forest fire risk management in Riohacha, La Guajira, showcasing how community empowerment and collaboration effectively mitigated the risk of forest fires in rural areas.

Finally, the workshop on “Localization Fundamentals” facilitated practical strategies and insights into various dimensions of localization. Participants were divided into groups, each assigned a specific aspect of localization, encouraging dialogue on actions, best practices, challenges, and lessons learned within their dimension. The workshop fostered a collaborative exchange of experiences and ideas, enriching the understanding of localization dynamics.

Day 2: Local Success Stories and Intersectionality

Day 2 sessions continued the discourse with a focus on local experiences and initiatives, shedding light on pioneering efforts and the efficacy of localized approaches. The day started with the session titled “ToGETHER: The First Steps of Localization in Latin America and the Caribbean” highlighted the invaluable insights gained from implementing localization efforts, addressing challenges, and paving the way forward in the region.

Another impactful dialogue, “Preparing for Major Crises,” showcased various organizational approaches to crises in Colombia and Latin America. The discussions centered on migration, childhood experiences, and fostering preparedness, while examining avenues for more effective crisis response.

The expert panel on “Success Stories in Differential, Intersectional, and Gender-Based Approaches in Humanitarian Action” emphasized the significance of acknowledging diverse needs within specific contexts, showcasing instances where localization fostered more inclusive responses, especially in complex border areas and the unique context of the Colombian Pacific region. The session underscored the importance of embracing diversity, localization, and genuine local leadership in humanitarian endeavors.

A pivotal local experience, “The Journey Towards Resilience: Community Experiences in Restoring the Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta,” highlighted the restoration strategy’s success. The initiative significantly improved living conditions, focusing on climate change adaptation through mangrove reforestation and knowledge generation.

The event culminated in a panel discussion on “Challenges in Integrating Humanitarian Action and Peacebuilding,” addressing execution gaps within the Triple Nexus. It underscored the challenges in aligning humanitarian, peacebuilding, and developmental efforts, and highlighted multilingual capacity and creative strategies as crucial elements for effective integration. The discourse emphasized exploring the ‘what,’ ‘why,’ and ‘how’ while fostering a mutual learning process among diverse stakeholders. At the end, the German government’s ambassador to Colombia, Martina Klumpp, highlighted the significance of empowering local actors and the government’s commitment to supporting and learning from them.

Key Insights and Takeaways

The event not only addressed existing crises like environmental concerns, migration challenges, armed conflicts, and extreme poverty but also highlighted the multifaceted strategies of the ToGETHER programme. These approaches aim at transforming local entities into influential decision-makers in humanitarian contexts, stressing the necessity for increased participation and coordination within Colombian humanitarian frameworks. Through its sessions, it offered a thorough understanding of localization, emphasizing community involvement, partnerships, and adaptive strategies for effective humanitarian action. The event underscored the importance of recognizing local strengths, empowering communities, and fostering cooperation to navigate crisis complexities and regional change. It acted as a catalyst for deeper insights into inclusive and fair humanitarian action, asserting the significance of localized approaches for a more resilient future in Latin America and the Caribbean.

For a deeper insight and impressions of this exchange, explore the following resources: