Aid Priorities in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Contexts
By 2030, the vast majority of the world’s extreme poor are projected to live in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. This event from K4DD explored the growing importance of these contexts, particularly for global development and stability.

Our panel of experts examined what the evidence shows about the record of humanitarian and development assistance, including the persistent challenges of delivering aid effectively in these environments. It considered the tensions donors face between directing aid to where need is greatest and the practical difficulties of operating where conflict may be ongoing and state systems are weakest. A central theme was how to support country ownership in contexts where institutions are contested or fragile.
The session highlighted priority issues for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers based on the emerging evidence.
Speakers:
- Prof Peter Taylor, Director of K4DD and Professorial Research Fellow, Institute of Development Studies (Chair)
- Prof Rachel Gisselquist, Professor in Governance and Development and Director of GSDRC, University of Birmingham
- Dr Iffat Idris, Research Fellow, K4DD and GSDRC, University of Birmingham
- Mr Habib Mayar, Deputy Secretary General, g7+
- Mr Vitalice Meja, Exec Director, Reality of Aid Africa, and former non-executive co-chair of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC)
- Prof Christoph Zuercher, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa
- Mr Ranil Dissanayake, Deputy Chief Economist, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office