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Reclaiming conflict sensitivity: Opportunities in an age of polycrises and aid cuts
In her thought leadership piece for UNSSC, titled “Reclaiming Conflict Sensitivity: Opportunities in an Age of Polycrises and Aid Cuts” (September 2025), Isabella Jean examines how humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding organizations apply—or fail to apply—the principles of Do No Harm and conflict sensitivity. She points out that while these approaches are widely endorsed, they are inconsistently practiced due to budget cuts, institutional silos, and operational pressures. Jean draws on cases from Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and Myanmar to illustrate how aid delivery can unintentionally exacerbate tensions, particularly in contexts where neutrality and impartiality are heavily contested. She also addresses emerging dilemmas, such as risks associated with digital technologies, the politicization of neutrality, and the rise of “humanitarian resistance” as a response to injustice. Jean argues that conflict sensitivity and Do No Harm must transition from mere rhetoric to tangible practice by being integrated into all operations, including program design, procurement, staff training, and community engagement. Ultimately, she calls for a renewed commitment to these principles as dynamic, ethical, and continuous practices that are essential for resilience, social cohesion, and sustainable peace.