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 mean fewer teams on the ground, less support for essential services like health and water, and ultimately, greater suffering for vulnerable communities,” she said.

“When one organization steps back, another can step in—but only if collaboration is strong,” Ketabchi emphasized, calling for deeper cooperation even amid financial constraints.

Beyond immediate relief, Ketabchi underlined Oxfam’s integrated approach linking humanitarian action with long-term advocacy on inequality and economic justice. “Most crises have interconnected root causes—climate, conflict, systemic inequality—that demand holistic solutions.” Youth engagement is a vital part of this, with younger generations volunteering and campaigning for inclusive policies around the world.

Looking to donors, she urged renewed commitment and solidarity: “Cutting funding and overlooking international law fuels more conflicts and humanitarian crises. The human cost is immense.” For listeners, she emphasized the urgent human toll behind headline debates: “Every withdrawal affects families seeking safe water, children awaiting a meal, communities desperate for protection.”

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