The humanitarian sector is facing major disruptions, with growing crises and limited funding demanding new, community-driven solutions. As the global funding landscape shrinks, the humanitarian sector must evolve or risk falling behind. Diaspora-led initiatives are pioneering innovative financing models that support and scale what local communities are already doing.

This session will explore the role of the diaspora in supporting emergencies and recovery efforts in collaboration with the private sector. Drawing on DEMAC’s latest research on Afghan diaspora efforts during the Herat earthquake and the current forced returns from Iran, panelists will highlight how Afghan diaspora has remained one of the country’s most reliable lifelines despite the sharp decline in international aid.

Main objectives:

1. Explore the role of the diaspora in supporting emergency and recovery efforts through innovative finance models in collaboration with the private sector.

2. Highlight the critical contribution of Afghan diaspora communities as a lifeline during shrinking international aid.

3. Examine challenges and opportunities for scaling diaspora-led financial solutions for long-term, sustainable impact.

4. Discuss how diaspora actors can move beyond traditional aid models to strengthen local community resilience.

5. Identify mechanisms to enhance diaspora engagement, partnerships, and visibility in humanitarian coordination.

Speaker Details:

• Sasha Gayama, Global Lead on Innovative Financing, Danish Refugee Council  (Moderator & Facilitator)
• Jawid Hassanzai, Country Manager Afghanistan, Samuel Hall – Lead researcher for the DEMAC study “The Role of Diaspora Mobilizing Support to Emergency and Recovery Efforts”
• Ilaha Eli Omar, Executive Director, Uplift Afghanistan
• Layma Murtaza, Vice President Business Development and Board Member, Aseel