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Paper short abstract:

This paper convenes the perceptions of researchers, aid providers, and affected communities on how humanitarian aid is delivered in DRC. Despite goodwill, humanitarian governance in the DRC is still westernized. Its effectiveness entails improved accountability from, and to affected communities.

Paper long abstract:

Recent times have witnessed rapid growth in the discussion about decolonizing humanitarian aid in conflict-affected countries. Authors have written, policies have been developed, and agreements have been found between donors and humanitarian organizations who have committed to supporting local responders' capacities and the participation of affected communities in addressing humanitarian needs. Despite much goodwill, in DRC, humanitarian aid is still westernized and characterized by the dictates of international organizations.

Drawing on empirical data from the humanitarian observatory in Eastern DRC, this paper critically analyzes different perceptions of researchers, aid providers, and representatives of affected communities on humanitarian governance in DRC. It used a qualitative methodology and the Eastern DRC case to explain the everyday practice of humanitarian governance in DRC. Through the perceptions of different humanitarian stakeholders and independent observers, the paper presents the consequences of the dictate of international actors on the effectiveness of humanitarian assistance in DRC. The poor implication and appropriation of humanitarian action by local communities are thus represented as the great challenges that affect the effectiveness of humanitarian aid in DRC.

As long as local actors, including affected communities, will not be involved and well informed about humanitarian actions in DRC, they will keep challenging international humanitarian actions and organizations. Their perception and reactions against humanitarian actors will threaten humanitarian projects' success, thus leading to the low impact of humanitarian actions in DRC. The article presents strengthening accountability to and from affected communities as a solution to the problems of humanitarian governance in DRC.