Harvard Humanitarian Initiative
The Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) is a university-wide initiative focused on humanitarianism
The mission of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) is to relieve human suffering in war and disaster by advancing the science and practice of humanitarian response worldwide. HHI fosters interdisciplinary collaboration at Harvard University in order to improve the effectiveness of humanitarian strategies for relief, protection, and prevention; instill human rights principles and practices in these strategies; and educate and train the next generation of humanitarian leaders. In response to the growing interest expressed by seasoned field practitioners and professionals in studying key issues in humanitarian response, a program on humanitarian crises and human rights was established at Harvard in 1999. By 2002-2003, it was evident that the demand for technical expertise and educational and training opportunities, from NGO partners, professionals, and graduate students, was overwhelming the capacity of the existing program. In 2005, the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative was established as a University-wide academic and research center, supported by the Office of the Provost, the Harvard School of Public Health, and the participation of faculty from:
Harvard School of Public Health
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Faculty of Arts and Science
John F. Kennedy School of Government
Harvard Business School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Harvard University Committee on Human Rights Studies
Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study
Major Harvard-Affiliated Medical Centers, including Brigham and Women's Hospital, Children's Hospital Boston, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
HHI has 35 faculty collaborators, 16 internal and external fellows, and a network of undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in research and policy development in the humanitarian arena. Over the past six years, HHI has built and expanded a range of educational and research programs to promote understanding of humanitarian crisis as a unique contributor to global health problems. Humanitarian crises include recent wars and conflict-laced disasters that involve civilian populations as indirect or deliberate targets, violate established norms of war, and impede global progress. Humanitarian crises also include large-scale natural disasters that lay bare issues of environmental degradation and disregard for vulnerable populations, and are often accompanied by disease and famine. Appropriate academic response to these crises requires developing methods to understand and describe these conflicts, designing means to evaluate and assess the impact of humanitarian interventions, and preparing the next generation of engaged and effective humanitarian actors. More information on HHI can be found at http://hhi.harvard.edu
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09/16/2026
What does it mean to build a legacy of giving?
For the Weintz family, philanthropy began with a simple commitment to helping others. Elisabeth “Betsy” Weintz volunteered at her local hospital, while her husband, Fred, supported causes he cared about and served on nonprofit boards.
Over time, their approach to philanthropy became more intentional. When they established the Harbor Lights Foundation, their charitable efforts grew into a more structured and deliberate commitment to making a difference.
That legacy of service and generosity continues today through the Elisabeth B. Weintz Humanitarian Award, established at HHI to recognize humanitarian leadership and the lasting impact of those dedicated to helping others.
Learn more about the Weintz family, their philanthropic journey, and the story behind the award at: https://hhi.harvard.edu/elisabeth-b-weintz-humanitarian-award
09/14/2026
As a new academic year begins, we’re looking ahead to a meaningful fall at HHI.
This year, we’ll be celebrating Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), as the recipient of the 2026 Elisabeth B. Weintz Humanitarian Award.
Established in honor of Elisabeth B. Weintz and her family’s longstanding commitment to philanthropy, the award recognizes individuals and organizations whose work embodies an exceptional commitment to humanitarian action and service.
HHI selected MSF in recognition of its decades of humanitarian leadership and unwavering commitment to providing lifesaving medical care to people affected by conflict, disasters, epidemics, and other crises around the world. Their work exemplifies the values at the heart of the Weintz Award: service, courage, compassion, and commitment to humanity.
Stay tuned as we share more about MSF’s humanitarian legacy and bring our community together for events, conversations, and opportunities to engage with the people and ideas shaping humanitarian action today.
Follow HHI for what’s ahead.
09/11/2026
Development cannot wait until after disaster strikes.
Fatema Z. Sumar and HHI’s Research Director, Patrick Vinck, examine why development planning and financing need to arrive early enough to help prevent the long-term consequences of disasters.
From infrastructure and livelihoods to education and community resilience, the impacts of disasters can unfold over years or even generations. Investing in preparedness and resilience before crisis strikes can help communities avoid losses that are much harder to recover from later.
Read the full piece, “Development is not a post-disaster affair,” at https://www.devex.com/news/development-is-not-a-post-disaster-affair-113273
09/04/2026
As humanitarian needs grow and resources shrink, AI offers new ways to collect, translate, and analyze information. Its use also raises critical questions about power, participation, and protection.
In a new analysis, Phuong Pham and Patrick Vinck examine the risks of AI in humanitarian settings, from bias and inaccuracies to privacy, consent, surveillance, and the potential for automated systems to deepen existing inequalities.
The question is not simply whether AI can make humanitarian work more efficient. It is whether these systems strengthen accountability and participation for people affected by crises—or make it harder for them to understand, challenge, or refuse decisions that affect their lives.
For humanitarian AI to do no harm, governance, accountability, and meaningful avenues for remedy must be built in from the start.
Read the full article to learn more about what responsible humanitarian AI requires: https://hhi.harvard.edu/publication/power-governance-and-accountability-humanitarian-artificial-intelligence
09/01/2026
Curious to learn more about the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative? Join us on September 17 for a virtual open house and an opportunity to learn more about HHI and the work we do.
Hear from members of HHI about our research, education, and programs, and discover ways to engage with us. Whether you’re new to HHI or simply interested in learning more about humanitarian research and practice, all are welcome!
📅 September 17, 2026
⏰ 10–11 AM ET
💻 Virtual via Zoom
We look forward to welcoming you and sharing more about HHI!
RSVP: https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cLi4YVc2QUuyzmYvbnzOpw
08/21/2026
This summer, seven Fellows at the Forefront joined the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative for a summer of research, learning, and hands-on work across the humanitarian sector. 🌎
From developing patient education materials for resource-limited settings in Rwanda, Haiti, and Lesotho, to researching the future of online humanitarian education, exploring climate change and health systems resilience across Southeast Asia, and developing tools to better communicate organizational impact, our fellows brought their own perspectives and expertise to meaningful projects across HHI and beyond.
Alongside their individual projects, fellows participated in weekly seminars led by members of the HHI community, learning about a range of humanitarian topics and engaging with real-world case studies and complex challenges facing the sector today.
We are so grateful to this year’s fellows for the thought, curiosity, and energy they brought to HHI this summer, and we look forward to seeing where their work takes them next.
A special thank you to Emily Maguire, Director of the Pathways to Practice program at Harvard’s Center for Public Service and Engaged Scholarship, for including HHI in this year’s Fellows at the Forefront program and helping make these experiences possible.
Thank you, fellows, for an incredible summer! 💙
08/19/2026
On World Humanitarian Day, we honor the humanitarian health workers who continue to provide care in some of the world’s most dangerous places.
Doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, ambulance drivers, community health workers, and so many others continue to show up for their communities—often while facing the same conflict, insecurity, and displacement as the people they serve.
In his message for World Humanitarian Day, HHI founder Dr. Michael VanRooyen reflects on the growing dangers facing humanitarian health workers and the urgent need to protect those who provide care.
Read Dr. VanRooyen’s full message here: https://hhi.harvard.edu/news/2026/08/world-humanitarian-day-2026-message-michael-vanrooyen-director-harvard-humanitarian
08/12/2026
Congratulations to HHI’s Phuong Pham and Patrick Vinck on the publication of their latest article in Humanitarian Alternatives!
Published as part of the journal's special issue on artificial intelligence, "Humanitarian artificial intelligence begins before the model: lessons from KoboToolbox for responsible digital commons," examines how responsible AI in humanitarian action depends not only on technological innovation, but also on the governance structures, shared stewardship, and accountability that shape its development and use.
Read the full article: https://www.alternatives-humanitaires.org/fr/2026/07/29/lintelligence-artificielle-humanitaire-commence-avant-le-modele-lecons-de-kobotoolbox-pour-des-communs-numeriques-responsables/
08/10/2026
How can health systems prepare for the medical consequences of a catastrophic nuclear event?
Co-authored by HHI’s Dr. Jarone Lee, this new publication presents a strategic framework for civilian medical preparedness following a potential nuclear detonation. Drawing on lessons from the war in Ukraine, the paper offers practical guidance for strengthening emergency preparedness and response around the world.
Read the publication: https://hhi.harvard.edu/publication/medical-response-framework-catastrophic-burn-and-radiation-mass-casualties-after
08/07/2026
This week's HHI Spotlight features Anna Cave, one of our Visiting Scientists!
Anna is an international justice and human rights lawyer, atrocity prevention and response expert, and former senior policymaker with over two decades of experience across government, academia, civil society, and the private sector. During her time at HHI, her scholarship with Dr. Phuong Pham will focus on developing a human-centered, trauma-responsive, data-driven framework for decision-and policy-making.
Anna is also a co-founder and the executive director of the Atrocity Response Coalition for Justice (ARC), a global, interdisciplinary consortium of organizations advancing victim-centered justice and survivor leadership. As one of the founding members of ARC, HHI will play an important role in supporting survivor-led transformation toward justice and healing that is grounded in community-centered research and rigorous data.
Please join us in welcoming Anna to HHI!
Read Anna's full bio here: https://hhi.harvard.edu/people/anna-cave
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