Shadows Of Conflict: Why Some Emergencies Get Left Behind. A Quick-exchange with Désirée Ketabchi from OXFAM | DevelopmentAid Dialogues

The global humanitarian landscape is marked by stark contrasts: while some crises like Ukraine dominate international attention and resources, others such as Sudan, the Sahel, and Haiti struggle in the shadows. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam had a lightning interview with Désirée Ketabchi, Head of Humanitarian Action & Advocacy at Oxfam Belgium and a Brussels-based expert with experience at the European Parliament and Première Urgence Internationale. Ketabchi is a woman of action, with little time to be spent on talks. She offers a candid perspective on the drivers behind aid allocation, the real impact of funding cuts, and the urgent need to center humanitarian action on people’s needs beyond geopolitical interests.

Download the transcript of this episode.

“The challenge is that aid increasingly follows politics rather than pure humanitarian need, leaving many crises forgotten and underserved,” Ketabchi explained. “We try to be people-centered, but funding is shrinking even as needs grow, forcing difficult choices.”

Ketabchi described how geopolitical interests heavily shape donor decisions, creating disparities in which emergencies receive support.

She cited the impact of the Gaza conflict overshadowing crises like Sudan, where vulnerable populations, especially women and children, bear the brunt without sufficient attention from donors or the public.

Calls for more flexible funding echo across her experience. “Rigid donor restrictions complicate rapid response,” she noted, observing that some governments’ foreign ministries and humanitarian agencies often struggle to align on priorities and modalities. Flexibility would enable aid organizations to deliver assistance based on evolving needs, not political calculations.

Ketabchi highlighted the tangible fallout of recent funding cuts, particularly from USAID in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“Cuts mean fewer teams on the ground, less support for essential services like health and water, and ultimately, greater suffering for vulnerable communities,” she said.

Humanitarian aid is often the first and only protection amid conflict, making these losses acutely felt by those who depend on it.

See also: Abandonment at the Breaking Point: Confronting the Aid Cuts with Stephen Cornish | DevelopmentAid Dialogues

In response, Oxfam and partners are exploring greater coordination and synergy to stretch shrinking resources, trying to avoid over-reliance on single donors or projects.

“When one organization steps back, another can step in—but only if collaboration is strong,” Ketabchi emphasized, calling for deeper cooperation even amid financial constraints.

Beyond immediate relief, Ketabchi underlined Oxfam’s integrated approach linking humanitarian action with long-term advocacy on inequality and economic justice.

Youth engagement is a vital part of this, with younger generations volunteering and campaigning for inclusive policies around the world.

She also shared an advocacy success:

“We recently secured public recognition of Gaza’s plight at a Belgian national event, attended by the king and queen. This raises visibility and government attention.”

Yet she called for ongoing efforts to ensure marginalized and forgotten crises receive fair aid.

Operating in politically charged environments like Gaza poses acute challenges.

“Our teams draw strength from close community ties and the global Oxfam network, enabling them to withstand pressure and maintain focus on needs-based aid,” Ketabchi said.

She stressed the importance of allowing humanitarian actors to do their work professionally and without obstruction—rather than seeking “creative solutions” to work around blockades and restrictions.

Looking to donors, she urged renewed commitment and solidarity:

For listeners, she emphasized the urgent human toll behind headline debates:

“Every withdrawal affects families seeking safe water, children awaiting a meal, communities desperate for protection.”

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