Empowering Local and National Humanitarian Actors (ELNHA) Project

Project Name: Empowering Local and National Humanitarian Actors (ELNHA) Project

Project Introduction:
The current humanitarian system has saved countless lives over the past 50 years, but is overstretched and underfunded – unable to meet rising needs of crisis affected countries and providing assistance to communities that is often insufficient, inappropriate and late. There is growing support for a shift of power and resources to local and national humanitarian actors. Local and national actors are the first responders when crises hits, know the local context. Oxfam is promoting local actors with the right resources and support which will help communities become better resistant to crises and the effects of climate change.

The ELNHA program runs on the principle of putting Local and National Humanitarian Actors in the driver’s seat to define their agenda and strategies, and influence international humanitarian actors for their support.

The project is covering the most vulnerable 9 districts of the country and these are Barguna, Dhaka, Gaibandha, Kishorganj, Kurigram, Patuakhali, Satkhira, Sirajgonj and Sunamganj. These districts are selected focusing on different hazards, these are:

  • The urban district (Dhaka) exposed to regular urban water logging, fire and earthquakes
  • The coastal districts (Barguna, Patuakhali and Satkhira) exposed to cyclone, tidal surge, water logging
  • The remaining districts (Sirajgonj, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Kishoregonj and Sunamgonj) are highly exposed to multiple hazards including regular monsoon flood, flash flood and river erosion.

The project is being implemented in these districts to empower local and national actors and support their efforts in dealing with crises situations. Dhaka Ahsania Mission is implementing the project in urban areas of Dhaka North City Corporation targeting 3 wards (nos. 10, 11 & 12) with the financial support of Oxfam in Bangladesh. The project has scope to work with local and national humanitarian actions i.e., government, NGOs, institutions, etc. for strengthening their capacity as well as promoting localization of resources.

Goal and Objective:
Goal: Vulnerable women, men and children in Bangladesh and Uganda benefit from effective and appropriate humanitarian response and preparedness.

Objective: Capable Local and National Humanitarian Actors (LNHA) in Bangladesh and Uganda play a leading role in humanitarian work, putting the interest of women, men and children affected by disaster at the center.

Outputs Results Outcome:

Result-1. Strength: LNHA have capacity to design, deliver and lead in humanitarian preparedness and response in Bangladesh and Uganda.

Expected Outcome-1: LNHA have defined mission, strategies and systems and are able to mobilize, attract, obtain and manage resources for humanitarian preparedness and response according to the Core Humanitarian Standards and other international humanitarian principles and standards.

Expected Outcome-2: LNHA collect, analyze, share and use relevant information in a coordinated and inclusive way for humanitarian preparedness and response according to the Core Humanitarian Standards and other international humanitarian principles and standards.

Expected Outcome-3: LNHA have infrastructure, regulatory frameworks and human capital in support of cash transfer programming.

Result-2. Voice: LNHA in Bangladesh and Uganda have the voice and power to influence the humanitarian agenda in their country.

Expected Outcome-4: Participating LNHA coordinate, collaborate and influence others around a shared humanitarian influencing strategy.

Expected Outcome-5: LNHA demonstrate their ability to use humanitarian emergency funds (created by this program or other funding opportunities) to design and implement programs according to the Core Humanitarian Standards and other international humanitarian principles and standards.

Result-3. SPACE: International humanitarian donors and NGOs tailor their policies, strategies and systems to enable LNHA to lead in humanitarian preparedness and response.

Expected Outcome-6: International humanitarian donors and NGOs demonstrate accountable partnership with LNHA for developing a stronger humanitarian programming.

Expected Outcome-7: International humanitarian donors and NGOs make a substantive amount of humanitarian funding directly available to LNHA.

Expected Outcome-8: International NGOs use their influence in support of strengthening the role and leadership of LNHA.

Who the project will serve/is serving (gender disaggregated data if possible by category of recipients)

  • The project will work with 92 Local and national humanitarian actors (LNHA) which will include Local and National NGOs, Government Institutions, Academic Institutions, Media and Private sectors, different alliance, networks and women rights organizations for enhancing their strength, voice and space.
  • International Donors and NGOs to change their strategy and system for providing direct support to increase the leadership of LNHA.
  • Beside this, the vulnerable women, men and children affected by humanitarian crisis will get timely, appropriate and efficient humanitarian assistance.

Project Duration: April 2019- March 2021

Start date: 01 April, 2019

Financial partner (Donor): Oxfam in Bangladesh

Implementing partner (if any): N/A

Project Location/s and number of Field offices: 3 Wards (No. 10, 11 & 12) of Dhaka North City Corporation


Budget with annual breakup: 18,051,457.00

Number of project staffs and volunteers: 3 Staffs [1-Project Manager, 1- Project Officer (Capacity Building) & 1-Project Officer (Finance)]

Contact Person:

Name & Designation: Md. Roushon Ali, Project Manager
Cell: 01817-778545
Email: roushon.du@gmail.com, m.roushan@ahsaniamission.org.bd