From natural disasters to pandemics, a humanitarian crisis requires quick action—and a longer-term plan. BCG’s humanitarian response consultants collaborate across the private, public, and social sectors to drive new and innovative approaches.
A humanitarian crisis may spark suddenly, but it’s likely to affect lives—and often imperil them—for months or even years. COVID-19 has made that all too clear. Emergency preparedness is crucial; so, too, are smart strategies for immediate disaster relief and longer-term recovery. That’s a tall order, especially when resources are limited, logistics are difficult, and the urgency is high.
A humanitarian response should be innovative, agile, and adaptive. This means applying data analytics and emerging technologies in tackling an emergency, whether it’s a flood, an earthquake, a pandemic, or a refugee crisis. And it means partnering across sectors, often in unique and novel ways. For while a humanitarian crisis may seem all too familiar, the most effective response will likely look all new.
Humanitarian response is about deploying resources in the most effective manner. We draw on a unique breadth of expertise, methodologies, and relationships to develop and carry out the optimal humanitarian relief strategy.
Partnerships
Our humanitarian response consulting team regularly collaborates with NGOs, UN agencies, governments, and the private sector to unearth transformative solutions to humanitarian crises.
Experts
Our global reach and cross-industry experience let us deploy the right people for the situation, so we can deliver the right humanitarian response—fast.
Technology and Data
We use new tools and technologies—including the latest solutions in epidemiology, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics—to transform humanitarian response.
We have responded to many manmade and natural disasters, marshaling a global network of experts and innovative end-to-end approaches. Our work spans the three key phases of humanitarian response:
In our work across industries, we’ve seen the power of innovation in spurring success. Humanitarian response and emergency preparedness are no different. Here are some of the ways we’re exploring creative—and better—humanitarian relief solutions:
Humanitarian and resilience investments (HRIs) continue to increase, however, scaling them to impact is complex and requires cross-sector collaboration, innovation, and support. BCG partnered with WEF to uncover the current challenges hampering HRI market expansion and offer strategies to overcome them.
Stunting—impaired development due to poor nutrition and other factors—is a complex and life-long problem. Applying Smart Simplicity, WFP, BCG, and partners developed a collaborative, feedback-based model to prevent it.
Our team of humanitarian response consultants help the social, public, and private sectors with humanitarian relief and emergency preparedness. Here are a few of our experts on the topic.
In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, our global food systems are struggling to feed those most at risk.
The reconstruction of Ukraine will be a massive undertaking—and a unique opportunity to build an economy that is both environmentally and economically sustainable. WWF and BCG in this report chart a path toward Ukraine’s postwar future.
David Young clarifies the private sector's role in preparing for humanitarian crises for the good of the business, its employees, and the country in which it operates.
During the peak of the Ebola crisis, the recovery process in Africa was not going according to plan. Failure after sobering failure forced BCG’s Shalini Unnikrishnan to recognize that they had approached the crisis from the wrong direction.
