Geneva Technical Hub (GTH)

The Geneva Technical Hub (GTH 1.0), is an initiative jointly launched by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). It has been designed to provide high level expertise and support humanitarian responses to address challenging technical problems in the field of in disaster risk reduction (DRR), energy, environment, shelter/housing, settlement planning, water, sanitation and hygiene. The GTH 1.0 is serving as a collaborative platform linking humanitarian organizations, technical experts, donor agencies, and academic institutions to enhance the efficiency and impact of humanitarian interventions globally.

Since its inception, the GTH has achieved significant milestones, including fostering partnerships among diverse stakeholders, providing technical assistance in crisis-affected regions, and developing innovative tools and methodologies for disaster preparedness and response. Its collaboration with academia has been particularly impactful, integrating cutting-edge research, technical innovation, and evidence-based approaches into humanitarian practices.

These partnerships have facilitated capacity building, knowledge exchange, and the practical application of advanced approaches in the field.

map using a participatory approach, engaging local communities to ensure the relevance and accuracy of the data. Utilizing tools developed in collaboration with its academic partners, the team identified critical facilities at risk,
enabling a targeted and informed response and proposed the implementation of tailored mitigation measures. These actions not only strengthened the region's resilience to future flood events but also had a profound long-term impact on people's lives. By reducing vulnerability to disasters, the initiative has enhanced community safety, preserved livelihoods, and empowered local populations to take an active role in managing their environment, fostering a
sustainable foundation for development and improved quality of life. This hands-on approach underscores the GTH’s commitment to combining technical expertise with local insights to drive enduring and meaningful solutions in
disaster-prone areas.

Looking ahead, the vision for GTH 2.0 is to transition into a multi-donor, multi-agency initiative, broadening its funding base and expanding its collaborative reach. A key opportunity to highlight this vision will be the GTH’s proposed session at the Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week (HNPW) 2025.

This session will feature a dynamic panel discussion alongside an interactive dialogue involving experts, academics, and field practitioners that will provide feedback on their hands on experience (the Bentou case). The participatory format will showcase the GTH’s achievements, emphasize its role in bridging technical expertise with field realities, and engage stakeholders in shaping its future.