Innovating products in the humanitarian sector: how to ensure adequate response in a challenging ecosystem

The humanitarian sector requires innovation to enhance emergency response efficiency and effectiveness. This paper examines the sector’s unique challenges, including complex emergencies, specialized products, diverse actors, and barriers to innovation. To address these, UNHRD has revamped its approach, blending accelerator initiatives with design-driven activities via its Innovation Lab. A task force of academics and experts is developing a tailored workflow integrating product design and business process management to improve decision-making. Efforts like market scouting, innovation contests, and in-house R&D aim to overcome current limitations, fostering collaboration among stakeholders. This approach offers a more adaptive and inclusive innovation ecosystem.