117. Less of the Same

In this episode of Trumanitarian, host Lars Peter Nissen speaks with Sophie Tolstrup, Head of Policy and Climate at Ground Truth Solutions (GTS), about their 2025 report, Whose Priorities Count?. The conversation explores the disconnect between the formal humanitarian system and the communities it serves, the rise of mutual aid, and the urgent need to reimagine aid in a "messier" world.

Key Takeaways

• Doing "Less of the Same": As funding is slashed and conflicts intensify, the humanitarian system is often doing "less of the same" rather than adapting. This has increased the gap between what the system provides and what communities actually value, such as long-term self-reliance.
• The Danger of Prioritization Without Listening: Decisions made in "faraway rooms" often lead to egregious misalignments. In one instance in the Central African Republic, a community chased away an NGO that built unwanted latrines instead of refurbishing requested school rooms.
• A Shift Toward Mutual Aid: As formal aid contracts, community-led initiatives—such as neighbor-to-neighbor sharing, faith networks, and diaspora support—are stepping up. These networks are often seen as more relevant and emotionally resonant than international aid.
• Redefining Risk: There is a growing movement toward hyper-local funding. To move past the current "stalemate" on risk, GTS advocates for evidencing how local funding can be significantly more effective and sustainable than traditional top-down models.
• Breaking the Humanitarian "Bubble": In a world facing linked crises like climate change and out-of-control conflict, humanitarians can no longer afford to stay "in their lane". They must engage with the political realities and rights-based concerns that communities prioritize.

Case Studies & Examples

• Sudan: Despite negative perceptions of formal aid fairness (75% negative), the country features a powerful network of Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs) that use hyper-local cash transfers to adapt quickly to community needs.
• Chad: A positive outlier where communities feel respected and able to provide feedback, though they remain concerned that aid is not sufficiently supporting their long-term self-reliance.
• Somalia: Communities are using sophisticated internal safety nets to navigate the drought, though acute, long-term crises are putting even these local strategies under immense strain.
• Northeast Nigeria: Examples of community-led security patrols that allow farmers to work their fields safely.

Guest Bio

Sophie Tolstrup is the Head of Policy and Climate at Ground Truth Solutions. With a background in climate and 15 years of experience in the sector, she leads efforts to ensure the views of crisis-affected people shape the decisions of the humanitarian system.

Resources Mentioned

• Ground Truth Solutions Report (2025): Whose Priorities Count?
• Organization: Ground Truth Solution