Looking back: A dynamic first half-year at KUNO

This two-day introductory course on humanitarian aid brought together experienced professionals and academics to explore the key principles, challenges, and current debates in the field. Read more

Following the historic fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, urgent discussions were needed on Syria’s humanitarian situation. With about 50 participants joining both in The Hague and remotely from Syria, the session addressed the high level of needs, ongoing operational challenges, and emerging opportunities. Read more

The resurgence of the M23 rebels and the violent takeover of Goma and surrounding cities worsened an already dire crisis. This hybrid meeting, with strong Congolese (including diaspora) participation, focused not only on humanitarian needs but also on the historical and political dimensions of the conflict—crucial for an effective response. Read more

Three years into the war in Ukraine, KUNO hosted an online meeting to reflect on lessons learned in partnerships between international and local NGOs, and how different narratives have shaped humanitarian action in Ukraine. The session highlighted the vital role of a network of local organisations in Ukraine: the Alliance of Ukrainian Civil Society Organisations, especially in light of recent USAID funding cuts. Read more

A special series of lunch meetings, exploring the geopolitical and strategic shifts impacting humanitarian work. These lunch meetings led up to the conference in June Topics were: 

• The Collapse of the Liberal World Order: Implications for Humanitarianism (3 April) 

• Funding shocks and the strategic impact on the humanitarian system (29 April) 

• Gulf Rush? Opportunities for diversification and challenges in making it work (13 May) 

• Priorities for meaningful local leadership (27 May) 

In this interactive session held under Chatham House Rule, two legal experts presented the fundamentals of international humanitarian law (IHL) and its relevance to humanitarian aid, including the principles, legal responsibilities, and challenges in enforcement. The discussion that followed addressed politically sensitive issues. 

Our annual Sphere training offered participants hands-on engagement with the Sphere Handbook—one of the most widely recognized sets of humanitarian principles and standards. It was an interactive and insightful day! Read more

This session brought together representatives from INSO, a local organisation, and  a women’s rights organisation that kick-started the meeting with their insights. They and the participants discussed access challenges, operational risks, and the gendered impacts of violence, and also the importance of the role of women in peacebuilding. Read more

Co-organised with Leiden University’s Institute of Security and Global Affairs, this symposium tackled the increasing cyber threats faced by humanitarian actors. Professionals, policymakers, and academics convened to share knowledge and strategies. In the afternoon, participants even took part in a cybercrisis simulation. Read more

In this session, the Human Security Collective presented the findings of a mapping exercise commissioned by the Dutch MFA. It assessed the impact of UNSC Resolution 2664 and European targeted sanctions regimes on humanitarian action. Stakeholders from NGOs, banks, and government discussed ways to ensure financial access in sanction-sensitive settings, with a focus on Syria. Read more

In partnership with The Clingendael Institute and the Hague Humanitarian Studies Centre, this major conference convened the Dutch humanitarian sector and local partners to reflect on geopolitical change and funding challenges. With input from NGOs, government officials, and academics, the event explored strategies for adapting humanitarian action to today’s shifting global context. Read more

We’re proud and grateful to have been able to organise these events to support knowledge exchange in the humanitarian sector. And we’re looking forward to the rest of the year—full of opportunities to discuss, reflect, and navigate an uncertain world together.