The four strategic priorities of the 2026 HNRP steer a multisectoral and protection-sensitive humanitarian response toward the most vulnerable people where they are, enabling stronger centrality of protection orientation at a strategic level. Do-no-harm principles will guide operations, alongside community-based approaches, strong referral systems and enhanced protection monitoring, to identify risks and inform programming and operational decision-making across the response. Collective advocacy efforts will focus on ensuring safety and inclusive access to essential services and assistance for those most at risk, including older people and people with disabilities who require accessible, dignified accommodation and continuity of care, while applying intersectionality lens to prevent exclusion and ensure fairness across programming. Duty-of-care considerations for national and international NGOs, particularly those working in the front-line areas, will be embedded in the response.
Under the Humanitarian Coordinator’s leadership, the HCT reaffirms its responsibility to protect people at risk from sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and ensure access to rights-based, victim-centred GBV and child protection services. Prevention measures include mandatory risk assessments, awareness materials in transit centres and collective sites, and PSEA messaging and complaint channels integrated into evacuation briefings, delivered in accessible formats and local languages with targeted outreach to groups facing additional barriers. Through a decentralization strategy, the PSEA Network operates via regional hubs and is progressing toward national-level leadership of the Secretariat in 2026. Localization efforts will further strengthen the response by capacitating community structures to receive disclosures, using updated GBV referral pathways and managing community-based complaints mechanisms (CBCM). A harmonized inter-agency communication campaign and simplified inter-agency Standard Operating Procedures on information-sharing SEA allegations combined with a victim-centred approach will ensure confidential, dignified informed referrals. These will be integrated with law enforcement and IDP councils reporting and coordinated inter-agency response mechanisms.
Gender remains an exacerbating factor intensifying needs and vulnerabilities, particularly when intersecting with age, disability, minority identity, household composition and diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC). Gender differences are more visible farther from the front line (especially beyond 20 km), where women-only households reported higher levels of need across multiple dimensions, particularly food security, coping strategies and income-related challenges. The response will integrate intersectional inclusive approaches to prevent gender-blind programming and ensure needs-based assistance. Sex, Age and Disability Disaggregated Data (SADD) collection and analysis will be strengthened for accurate monitoring and reporting. Meaningful inclusion of women’s rights organizations will remain a priority.
Accountability to Affected People (AAP) is a core pillar of the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, guiding efforts to ensure that the response remains grounded in people’s preferences and participation. Over the coming year, the response will aim to further integrate community engagement across planning, implementation and monitoring. Efforts will focus on strengthening two‑way communication through trusted and accessible channels so that people are better informed about available assistance and the basis for eligibility decisions. Feedback collected through complaints and feedback mechanisms, post‑distribution monitoring and other assessments is expected to increasingly inform analysis, support adjustments to programming and help identify underserved groups. Measurement of AAP will place greater emphasis on community experience, whether people feel informed, heard and supported in decisions affecting them. Across the Strategic Priorities, the response will seek to mainstream AAP through more tailored communication, adaptive programming informed by feedback and stronger ‘closing‑the‑loop’ practices. In 2026, the system will work towards a more collective approach to accountability, enabling affected people to access reliable information, provide feedback throughout the programme cycle and see that their perspectives contribute to shaping the response.
Addressing the specific needs of older people, people with disabilities—including children with developmental disabilities who require adapted interventions—and other diverse groups will remain a priority. This will be achieved by removing access barriers, applying sex-, age-, and disability-disaggregated data (SADD), and ensuring meaningful participation, in line with the Humanitarian Inclusion Standards (HIS) and the IASC Guidelines on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action. Overlapping vulnerabilities increase protection risks and limit access to services. Coordinated, barrier-focused and intersectional programming is required to ensure dignity, accessibility and safety for those facing multiple forms of exclusion. Focused support for people facing heightened risks will guide prioritization and prevent discriminatory practices in the provision of life-saving assistance and services. Working closely with community-based organizations will improve safe evacuation, access to medicines and psychosocial support. Integrating them into referral and feedback systems will strengthen protection and ensure programmes adapt to evolving risks throughout 2026.
Humanitarian partners increasingly promote environmental protection through measures such as improving energy resilience using energy-efficient materials and green energy, avoiding asbestos, separating demolition waste and assessing groundwater safety before repairs to prevent contamination. Additional measures include responsible debris management, safe collection of hazardous medical waste and promoting energy-efficient insulation. Installing solar systems for utilities reduces emissions and provides a sustainable energy supply during power cuts. These measures help minimize environmental risks while ensuring communities have safe shelter, water and essential services.