Amidst the debate about what the World Humanitarian Summit can and should achieve, one thing that everyone can agree on is that the topic requires more awareness and understanding on a global scale. In this spirit, and alongside the summit in Istanbul, the United Nations Foundation hosted a conversation in Washington, DC around the themes and challenges that face the humanitarian sector today.

Not a region is untouched by some depth of human vulnerability that demands swift, equitable, and sufficient response.” – Elizabeth Cousens, United Nations Foundation

The summit is set to usher in a new period of solidarity and cooperation to address global conflict and disaster. To stay in the know, we’ve wrapped up the major takeaways from day one of the summit, as well as grassroots discussions taking place here in Washington, DC and around the world.

What’s Happening: Readout LIVE from Istanbul

The common thread woven through discussions at the summit is the recognition that there is a need for change and it must start somewhere. At the Istanbul and Beyond event in Washington, the Foundation tapped experts and summit attendees for a live, direct readout. The United Nations Foundation’s Susan Myers, Cotopaxi’s Davis Smith, and the U.S. Institute of Peace Nancy Lindborg all noted that the summit is bringing every sector to the table and spurring much-needed conversations on reform with important commitments presented.

 The private sector is a part of a united response to global humanitarian crises. Peter Yeo, Better World Campaign

Here are some of the highlights of commitments from day one of the summit:

• “The Grand Bargain”: where donors agreed to provide more flexible, reliable, multi-year funding and aid organizations agreed to more transparency and efficiency.
• Launch of an Education in Emergencies fund
• Increased funding for the United Nations’ Central Emergency Response Fund
• Launch of a Global Humanitarian Data Center
• Launch of a Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action
• Launch of a Global Alliance for Urban Crises
• Innovative financing: Belgium and the ICRC announced a Humanitarian Impact Bond
• Ericsson, MasterCard, UPS Foundation, and other private sector partners made announcements to deepen their engagement and leverage their expertise.

Other Resources: Good Reads

This selection of articles offers the opportunity to learn the facts and share perspectives during this challenging moment in history.

Aid efficiency bargain could save $1 billion per year: EU VP
Megan Rowling | Reuters | May 23, 2016
An interview with Kristalina Georgieva, European Commission Vice-President for Budget and Human Resources, provides key background and insight on “The Grand Bargain.”

Everything you need to know about the World Humanitarian Summit
Sam Jones | The Guardian | May 19, 2016
A 101 guide on the summit and Ban Ki-moon’s five key commitments: preventing and ending conflict; respecting the rules of war; leaving no one behind on the sustainable development agenda; working differently to end need, and investing in humanity. This is your one-stop-shop for what the summit is, why it is being held, what is on the agenda, and who is attending. 

Refugees and migrants: A crisis of solidarity
Ban Ki-moon | The Daily Star | May 10, 2016
If the world is to address grave humanitarian crises, global citizens need to embrace greater solidarity for one another. The Secretary General underscores that appropriately addressing the current refugee and migrant crisis requires nations to coordinate action and build capacity.