Humanitarianism For a New Century
Co-creating New Solutions
Today’s humanitarian challenges are bigger and more complicated than ever. Our globalized world has brought everyone closer together – problems that were once distant now reach around the globe and impact communities and people in very real ways they never did before. Destabilization and the explosion of conflict have been catastrophic for families and communities. As they flee borders in search of something better, our international system is being challenged in new and unfamiliar ways… and we’re failing. No one has the answers.
At ARC, we’ve realized we are going to have to change and transform our work in the face of such large scale problems if we’re to continue making any difference. Although the world’s problems are bigger and more complex than ever, we also recognize that in the hyper-connected 21st Century we have an unprecedented opportunity to bring amazing people together to work on these big challenges. And we believe the goodwill needed to make change is actually abundant and everywhere we look.
For the last five years, ARC has been working on changing the way we work. Because we don’t have the answers, we’ve been asking people how we’re failing – asking refugees, asking donors, asking governments and businesses. Our New Efforts are the result of those conversations and a deeper understanding, of co-creating with new people and experimenting with new solutions.
At ARC, we’ve realized we are going to have to change and transform our work in the face of such large scale problems if we’re to continue making any difference.
Breakthroughs: Case Studies
Kuja Kuja – Making humanitarian relief accountable by letting refugees define what quality means
Kuja Kuja is bringing customer service to humanitarian assistance. Rather than passively receiving the services organizations like ARC provide, refugees can use Kuja Kuja feedback tools to share the quality of their experience – just as consumers around the world are able to do. That feedback is available to ARC to align our response and problem solve how we might improve what we’re doing, as well as to the public to ensure our accountability to the people we serve. Learn More
Questscope – Merging organizations in order to promote radical accountability and generate more and deeper impact, Questscope has joined the ARC family.
The idea that every young person needs a champion is deeply embedded in Questscope’s approach of building supportive, one-on-one relationships with young people in the Middle East to help them avoid forces of violence, radicalization and despair. When ARC looked around for amazing people and organizations we could co-create with to truly have an impact on youth in the region, there was nobody better than Questscope. We believe that together we’ll do something remarkable. Learn More
Asili – A social enterprise platform that delivers a remarkable level of quality, consistency and customer service, fundamentally changing the way we see and serve the most vulnerable and underserved.
Asili is a social service strip mall that delivers clean water, income generating activities and quality health care services sustainably and at-scale. Specially designed by and for low-resource communities in eastern Congo, it’s a world-class solution to a local problem. Grounded in transparency and shared ownership, Asili was co-created with Congolese communities and a team of organizations, government entities, social businesses and engaged individuals dedicated to producing meaningful impact. Learn More
I Am a Star – Building a brighter future for Somalia by co-creating with the global Somali Diaspora in a unique approach to humanitarian relief
The I Am A Star campaign unified members of the Somali Diaspora, aid workers on the ground in Mogadishu and people across the world, unlocking new value and hidden potential that made a direct impact for families struggling in Somalia. Together, we’re providing relief in Somalia and working to shift the narrative of Somalia and shine a light on a culture of poets, artists, mothers and fathers, children, innovators, farmers, businesspeople…human beings. Learn more about I Am a Star or stay up to date with our continued efforts in Somalia