The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted international humanitarian response. Many international staff were unable to travel and reach affected populations as a result of movement restrictions put in place to mitigate the impacts of the Pandemic. Communities and national actors provided critical life-saving assistance supported by international humanitarian actors that have had to adapt to the new realities. In some cases this included surging in international staff despite movement restrictions put in place, circumnavigate and flexibly adopting the health and safety requirements; in others, the support was provided through innovative ways including the use of technology.  

Sessions around this Topic will reflect on lessons learned through, among others, a deep dive on the international response to the Beirut Port Exploitations, and collection of timely data to support humanitarian responses during the pandemic.