s global crises grow in scale and complexity, the humanitarian sector is evolving to respond faster, smarter, and more efficiently. Innovation is already reshaping how we prepare and respond to crises, but to unlock its full potential, we must move beyond isolated efforts toward integrated, system–wide transformation. This is especially critical in the fight against food insecurity and hunger, where timely and coordinated action can mean not only better emergency response, but also unlocking breakthroughs through innovation.
Imagine a world where the best digital and AI enabled processes deliver the most efficient and effective humanitarian response, where the most advanced innovations transform the lives of people and helps to recover, and coordination among different actors can unlock better accountability and efficiency never possible before.
Digital and AI enabled processes to deliver the most efficient and effective humanitarian response
Before responding, first is emergency preparedness, which is all about anticipating risk and getting ahead of the crisis. This involves using predictive data, securing early financing and ensuring clear communication to trigger timely action. The second is emergency response, which kicks in when a crisis hits—mobilizing resources, assessing needs, and delivering assistance quickly and effectively.
In preparedness, tools like seismic modeling platforms and conflict forecasting algorithms are helping teams act earlier and more strategically, often preventing disruptions to food before they escalate. In response, satellite–based targeting systems and flexible cash assistance mechanisms are improving speed and leaving no one behind, enabling people to access food with dignity. Such innovations, developed by a range of actors including humanitarian agencies like the World Food Programme (WFP), technology partners, and local innovators, demonstrate how a systems–level approach can unlock scalable impact. They’re not just improving individual processes; they’re helping the entire humanitarian ecosystem become more agile and resilient to withstand shocks, including those that threaten food security and nutrition.
Innovations transform the lives of people and helps to recover
An often overlooked factor is that humanitarian response can at the same time lay the foundation for people rebuilding their lives or ensure that their lives are not as disrupted from an emergency.
Smart design choices and modern programme delivery can unlock real time insights about people in need and allow the use of solutions that help rebuild lives. For instance, smallholder farmers might receive credits to buy the required tools for farmwork, while livelihood programmes in urban settings focus on job creation for the future (e.g. online work), creating market access for farmers.
Furthermore, innovations with private companies can unlock the potential for rebuilding people’s lives, while having private funding that creates profit and impact at the same time. Impact investors ranging from debt, guarantees, or equity investment have the potential to create sustainable business opportunities.
Toward a more integrated, adaptive system
What makes this framework truly innovative is its holistic design. It doesn’t treat preparedness, response, and coordination as separate tasks. Instead, it connects them through real–time data, AI–powered forecasting and impact based anticipatory action. By embedding innovation across the entire humanitarian value chain, it enables teams to move faster and allows for a more integrated flow of information and coordinated response, building resilience for future shocks and bringing us closer to zero hunger.
As we look ahead, the challenge is not just to scale individual innovations, but to embed a culture of innovation across the humanitarian system. The examples emerging from WFP and its partners show what is possible when we rethink the value chain—from preparedness to coordination—as an integrated, adaptive system. Just one innovation called Building Blocks shows the potential of this. Used in Ukraine (currently by 55 different NGOs and UN agencies) it has avoided over $270 million of potentially duplicate transactions, allowing these savings to be redirected to previously unassisted families. This isn’t just about improving how we respond, it’s about transforming how we think, plan, and act in the face of crisis, and ensuring no one goes hungry.
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Coordinating innovation for smarter humanitarian action
Image via Adobe Stock.
October 16, 2025
Global crises are growing in scale and complexity. Yet systems–level innovation is helping the humanitarian to evolve, anticipating and responding faster, smarter, and more efficiently, writes World Food Programme’s Bernhard Kowatsch.
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s global crises grow in scale and complexity, the humanitarian sector is evolving to respond faster, smarter, and more efficiently. Innovation is already reshaping how we prepare and respond to crises, but to unlock its full potential, we must move beyond isolated efforts toward integrated, system–wide transformation. This is especially critical in the fight against food insecurity and hunger, where timely and coordinated action can mean not only better emergency response, but also unlocking breakthroughs through innovation.
Imagine a world where the best digital and AI enabled processes deliver the most efficient and effective humanitarian response, where the most advanced innovations transform the lives of people and helps to recover, and coordination among different actors can unlock better accountability and efficiency never possible before.
Digital and AI enabled processes to deliver the most efficient and effective humanitarian response
Before responding, first is emergency preparedness, which is all about anticipating risk and getting ahead of the crisis. This involves using predictive data, securing early financing and ensuring clear communication to trigger timely action. The second is emergency response, which kicks in when a crisis hits—mobilizing resources, assessing needs, and delivering assistance quickly and effectively.
In preparedness, tools like seismic modeling platforms and conflict forecasting algorithms are helping teams act earlier and more strategically, often preventing disruptions to food before they escalate. In response, satellite–based targeting systems and flexible cash assistance mechanisms are improving speed and leaving no one behind, enabling people to access food with dignity. Such innovations, developed by a range of actors including humanitarian agencies like the World Food Programme (WFP), technology partners, and local innovators, demonstrate how a systems–level approach can unlock scalable impact. They’re not just improving individual processes; they’re helping the entire humanitarian ecosystem become more agile and resilient to withstand shocks, including those that threaten food security and nutrition.
Innovations transform the lives of people and helps to recover
An often overlooked factor is that humanitarian response can at the same time lay the foundation for people rebuilding their lives or ensure that their lives are not as disrupted from an emergency.
Smart design choices and modern programme delivery can unlock real time insights about people in need and allow the use of solutions that help rebuild lives. For instance, smallholder farmers might receive credits to buy the required tools for farmwork, while livelihood programmes in urban settings focus on job creation for the future (e.g. online work), creating market access for farmers.
Furthermore, innovations with private companies can unlock the potential for rebuilding people’s lives, while having private funding that creates profit and impact at the same time. Impact investors ranging from debt, guarantees, or equity investment have the potential to create sustainable business opportunities.
Toward a more integrated, adaptive system
What makes this framework truly innovative is its holistic design. It doesn’t treat preparedness, response, and coordination as separate tasks. Instead, it connects them through real–time data, AI–powered forecasting and impact based anticipatory action. By embedding innovation across the entire humanitarian value chain, it enables teams to move faster and allows for a more integrated flow of information and coordinated response, building resilience for future shocks and bringing us closer to zero hunger.
As we look ahead, the challenge is not just to scale individual innovations, but to embed a culture of innovation across the humanitarian system. The examples emerging from WFP and its partners show what is possible when we rethink the value chain—from preparedness to coordination—as an integrated, adaptive system. Just one innovation called Building Blocks shows the potential of this. Used in Ukraine (currently by 55 different NGOs and UN agencies) it has avoided over $270 million of potentially duplicate transactions, allowing these savings to be redirected to previously unassisted families. This isn’t just about improving how we respond, it’s about transforming how we think, plan, and act in the face of crisis, and ensuring no one goes hungry.
