Partnerships as the path to stability in fragile settings

As the humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza, where conflict has devastated millions, the call for durable solutions has never been more urgent. This crisis, as well as escalating emergencies in Sudan, Yemen, Ethiopia, and Ukraine—among many others—underscores the critical need for effective strategies to protect, respond to, and stabilize vulnerable communities facing conflict, crises, and climate-induced disasters.

The CGIAR Research Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration (FCM)’s “From Fragility to Stability, with CGIAR” podcast series, hosted by Global Dispatches, launches at this critical moment, bringing together global experts to share strategies and insights on what works to enhance the well-being of people living in fragile and conflict-affected settings, where sustaining resilient food, land, and water systems is especially challenging. Each episode features experts, practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders who share insights and co-create actionable strategies for tackling the multifaceted issues of conflict, crises, and fragility.

Launching the series on October 10th, a distinguished group of speakers discussed these challenges—and the value of partnership in overcoming them. These included leaders from the World Food Programme (WFP) (Arif Husain, Chief Economist), UNHCR (Andrew Harper, Special Advisor to the High Commissioner on Climate Action), and CGIAR (Ismahane Elouafi, CGIAR Executive Managing Director), as well as Katrina Kosec, Senior Research Fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Lead of the FCM Initiative. Their insights underscore how partnerships drive progress by bridging the gap between science and policy—creating innovative solutions and building resilience in the world’s most vulnerable regions.

From crisis to resilience: The role of partnership

The critical value of partnerships between WFP, UNHCR, and CGIAR for building resilience in fragile settings emerged as a central theme in the discussion. Husain noted, “People, money, technology, and above all, partnerships” are needed to tackle fragility, flagging that “partnering with an organization like CGIAR brings analytical capacity and credibility.” Harper said, “It is a perfect situation where we are desperate for the data, and the science, and the analysis, and the partnership, and CGIAR want to see their work being used for good.” He further noted that “CGIAR actually [has] a couple of staff in our field offices in Africa. And this adds a huge amount of credibility to what we’re doing.”

Elouafi highlighted the importance and size of the collaboration: “With Dr. Husain, we are collaborating with WFP on a co-designed portfolio for about 30 projects that are spanning 13 countries to inform WFP programming on disaster risk financing, sustainable school meals and clean cooking, and small holder farmers’ production and livelihood resilience.” Elouafi added that CGIAR’s collaborative work, including informing UNHCR’s Strategic Plan for Climate Action, exemplifies how combining local knowledge with cutting-edge science can transform humanitarian efforts. She commended the depth of UNHCR’s expertise in addressing displacement and the value to CGIAR of their partnership.

Outlining CGIAR’s general approach, Kosec noted, “We know the stakes are high. The risks of getting it wrong are devastating. But we also know that business-as-usual solutions do not work in these contexts … By tailoring analyses to partner needs and ensuring we embed research design in local knowledge, we can support policy decisions and programming that are informed by reliable evidence.”

Bridging science and policy for effective humanitarian action

Husain detailed how partnership with CGIAR enhances WFP’s programming in fragile and conflict-affected zones: “For me, working with CGIAR has helped us improve our operations. I give the examples of cash vs. in kind assistance, and several studies on the nutrition side—what is good for children to eat, basically. There have been several studies on building better resilience for communities … Here, with applied research, you have answers very quickly. Sometimes those answers can defy expectations. That dynamic research, that dynamic flow of information and knowledge is critical.” Husain emphasized the transformative impact of co-producing research—ensuring that scientifically sound and practical recommendations and innovations support crisis-affected areas.

Kosec reinforced the importance of evidence-based approaches, stating, “Our partners explained to us that research plays a crucial advocacy role. It helps them shape narratives and priorities around fragility and conflict. They can then influence funding and policy directions for the better.” She also praised WFP’s proactive stance: “WFP’s ability to implement anticipatory action and adapt programs rapidly in conflict settings has been invaluable. Their focus on evidence-based interventions, like cash transfers, ensures that assistance is both timely and effective.” Kosec noted that such strategies, co-developed with partners, not only help address urgent needs, but also build longer-term resilience.

Elouafi underscored the ultimate goal of improved policy: “The policy side is also very important. So, it is not only technologies, it is not only programming; it is also policy recommendations that are very important for these projects … What we are doing with CGIAR with our partners is helping design and evaluate programs that are specially suited for these unique challenges.”

Scaling up success: Moving forward together

The partnership between CGIAR, WFP, and UNHCR exemplifies how coordinated efforts can expand the reach of scientific innovations. Husain emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration and investment, adding that when partners share a common purpose and goal, much like the partnership between the WFP and CGIAR, adapting to evolving humanitarian challenges is easier. Elouafi echoed this sentiment, saying, “Researchers should not only provide evidence but also support partners in building their skills and knowledge.”

Conclusion: Partnerships as a blueprint for stability

The October 10th panel sent a clear message: partnerships that combine CGIAR’s scientific expertise with the operational knowledge of organizations like WFP and UNHCR are crucial to bridging the gap between research and action. As Husain stated, “It’s not just about sharing data; it’s about co-creating solutions that can save lives and build resilience.” Kosec added, “By aligning our science with the realities on the ground, we can help communities not only survive but thrive.” In an increasingly interconnected world, these collaborations offer a clear framework to transform fragility to stability.

Elouafi explained how CGIAR will work toward this future, noting, “[I]n the coming years, I think CGIAR research will increasingly focus on fragile and conflict-affected food systems, due to their unique vulnerabilities and growing populations, and the growing number of conflicts—human-made or climate-made. This will require really targeted innovation and context-specific science. In our new portfolio for 2025-30, we developed a program that we call Food Frontiers and Security, and we think this will serve many areas.” The CGIAR’s Fragility, Conflict, and Migration initiative indeed looks forward to continuing these critical partnerships under the new program, being launched by interim co-directors Hampus Eriksson, Katrina Kosec, and Joyce Maru.

Written by Katrina Kosec, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI and Lead of the CGIAR Research Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration. 

Top image: A World Food Programme helicopter delivers humanitarian aid to Nepal in 2015. WFP/Angeli Mendoza