This book draws on two detailed case studies of countries exposed to extremely high risk of disasters – Pakistan and Vanuatu – to make generalizable claims about how social power shapes international humanitarian financing and disaster risk financing around the world. Drawing upon social systems thinking, the book provides deep insights into how the international crisis financing system has arrived at the current critical juncture, and what changes are necessary to re-build such a system. This book re-frames the systems of international humanitarian financing as part of both traditional international development and extensive international finance. The book delivers detailed analysis of alternatives to international crisis financing arrangements, including recent evolutions in global public investment. The book concludes by reminding us that we have the power to build better, more equitable and fair social systems to provide the necessary finances to aid the millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance.

Dr Joshua Hallwright is a humanitarian specialist with 20 years’ experience in responding to crises around the world. He has held senior leadership positions in a wide range of organisations, including RedR Australia, the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership, Oxfam, UN OCHA, Australian Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières, and AusAID.