Program Newsletter | 4th Quarter, 2023

Research Updates

HHI, MSU-IIT examine climate-conflict-environment nexus in the Philippines

Some of the key findings drawn from the workshop about the nexus of climate change, conflict, and environmental degradation in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Philippines.

In a recently published report titled “Understanding Climate, Conflict, and Environmental Impacts in the BARMM,” the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) and Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) highlight the need for further inquiry on the emerging nexus of climate, conflict, and environment. The report is based on a workshop organized by HHI and MSU-IIT in the Philippines, convening members of local and international organizations from the civil society, academia, United Nations agencies, and government that have programming relevant to the issues affecting the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The report identified gaps that key actors from the humanitarian, development, peacebuilding, climate, and environment disciplines could focus on moving forward. Some significant findings include:

Substantial, disaggregated data on the impacts of climate change, disasters, conflict, and environmental degradation from the government and other reliable sources remain limited.

Local media is best believed by local communities when reporting these impacts; however, media practitioners are not much involved in the current dialogue.

Organizations discuss and respond to issues about climate change, conflict, and environmental degradation; however, they often do so in silos.

The voice of local communities and marginalized sectors remains limited in the current climate dialogue despite being heavily impacted by these challenges.

Addressing the nexus will not be realized without the involvement of the most influential players in the BARMM government and private sector.

Read the full report

Nepal Research Advisory Group

The HHI Resilient Communities program recently formed and convened its Research Advisory Group in Nepal. The inaugural meeting focused on the overview of the disaster risk reduction and management system in the country and how research can play a role in advancing DRRM knowledge and programming locally. It was led by Dr. Vincenzo Bollettino and Ganesh Dhungana, Program Director and Project Lead-Nepal of HHI Resilient Communities, respectively.

The Research Advisory Group is composed of esteemed experts from local and international non-governmental organizations, academe, UN agencies, and government. The program is immensely grateful to the Research Advisory Group members whose expertise will be vital in guiding the research work of HHI in Nepal in the coming years.

Speaking Engagements

We are extremely grateful for the many opportunities to share our knowledge and expertise through in-person and online speaking engagements.

Our researchers Dr. Vincenzo Bollettino (Program Director) Mark Daza (Project and Communications Manager), and Ganesh Dhungana (Project Lead-Nepal) had an amazing chance to deliver talks and presentations at some recent local and international events such as the Governing Complex Disasters in Southeast Asia (GCDSEA) International Seminar Workshop in Manila; Mindanao Humanitarian Team meeting in Cotabato City; “Peace WEmboree” Youth Camp by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Davao; the

Climate Resilience Webinar by the “Climate Resilience Group”; and the 3rd International Symposium on Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development.

In addition, Hannah Stoddard (Program Manager) led the HHI’s Global Showcase in October as part of the Worldwide Week at Harvard 2023.

Interested in inviting HHI Resilient Communities to your events?

Staff Spotlight

Meet Our Grants & Communications Specialist:

Keanu Costales

The HHI Resilient Communities program welcomed Keanu Costales as our Grants & Communications Specialist in April 2023. Keanu is responsible for identifying funding opportunities and developing grant proposals to drive our research initiatives forward. Also, through strategic communications and dissemination, he contributes to enhancing the program’s visibility and engagement, building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, and increasing awareness and support for our long-term vision.

Before joining HHI, Keanu worked in the government sector to help underserved farmer communities move from the margins to the center through his work in sustainable agriculture, research & development, and communications. He holds a BA in English from Pampanga State Agricultural University. He is currently pursuing a Master in Community Development.

Besides work, Keanu is active in volunteering for indigenous people’s communities in his hometown. During his downtime, he loves playing with his dogs, namely Khal, Kobe, and Katy.

Connect with Keanu

World Risk Report

The Philippines remains as the most disaster-prone country in the world according to the World Risk Report 2023. The country also ranks 4th among countries with the highest level of exposure to hazards, behind China, Mexico, and Japan. Interestingly, Nepal ranks 138th among 193 countries measured for their risk indices. The flagship World Risk Report is published by Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft and Ruhr University Bochum – Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV).

The Program on Resilient Communities will continue its efforts to understand the factors that contribute to the 🇵🇭Philippines’ and 🇳🇵Nepal’s disaster resilience in the face of climate-related hazards.

Opportunities for Humanitarians

Humanitarian Response Intensive Course (HRIC)

Registration for the HRIC is now open!

The HRIC is offered each year by HHI to professionals from around the world. The course will run from April 16th to April 28th, 2024, in Cambridge, MA, and includes a three-day fully immersive humanitarian simulation.

Take advantage of the early registration discount through January 12, 2024.

National NGO Program on Humanitarian Leadership (NNPHL)

The NNPHL is now accepting applications for a 4-month training opportunity for humanitarian professionals working in non-governmental and/or community-based organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

NNPHL is funded by USAID - Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, and operated in partnership with International Medical Corps and Harvard Humanitarian Initiative. Application is open until December 31, 2023. Apply here

Happy Holidays!