Diaspora Emergency Action & Coordination

DEMAC is a global initiative devoted to enhancing the role, recognition and coordination of diaspora organisations as humanitarian actors. Demac+2Demac+2 Hosted by Danish Refugee Council (DRC) in Copenhagen, Denmark, DEMAC is funded by USAID / BHA. pro.drc.ngo+1 According to its own description, DEMAC works to deepen understanding of diasporas as humanitarian actors and to promote better coordination between diaspora-led efforts, local networks in crisis-affected countries and the wider institutional humanitarian system. Demac+1

Its engagement spans a number of crisis-affected contexts including Afghanistan, Ukraine, Somalia, Pakistan and others. Demac+1 The organisation’s core activities are grouped into three pillars:

• Knowledge sharing (studies, research, mapping) OWL RE+1
• Capacity development of diaspora organisations and networks Demac+1
• Networking and coordination: linking diaspora organisations with each other and with established humanitarian actors Demac+1

Why the Partnership Makes Sense

As a diaspora-based organisation ourselves, our collaboration with DEMAC is highly strategic and relevant. There are several reasons:

• Shared identity and operating space: Like DEMAC, our organisation (Rebuild Aid) draws on diaspora networks, has strong ties to Afghanistan, and carries out humanitarian and development work in that context. A partnership with DEMAC aligns with our ethos and amplifies our voice.
• Capacity and network strengthening: Though we have not yet received direct grants from DEMAC, our active participation in DEMAC-arranged workshops, the annual diaspora meeting in Geneva and engagement with other diaspora organisations globally has added value. These interactions help us build professional capacities in program design, humanitarian-development linkages, diaspora coordination and advocacy.
• Visibility and strategic positioning: Being associated with a global initiative like DEMAC enhances our legitimacy, broadens our network, and positions us more strongly in the humanitarian field—especially when we engage with donors and institutional actors who increasingly recognise diaspora-led responses.
• Coordination and complementarity: DEMAC’s emphasis on coordination helps us avoid duplication, strengthen partnerships with other Afghan diaspora organisations, and align our efforts more effectively within the broader humanitarian architecture.

Our Engagement so Far

• We were invited and selected to attend DEMAC’s annual Afghan diaspora meeting in Geneva. At this meeting we participated in workshops, heard keynote speeches from other diaspora organisations, exchanged best practices, and strengthened our coordination links with other Afghan diaspora groups.
• We take part in DEMAC’s events, webinars and capacity-building activities, thereby staying abreast of global best practice regarding diasporas in humanitarian response.
• Through these engagements we have gained insights into coordination mechanisms, humanitarian system entry points, diaspora financing models, monitoring and accountability frameworks, and how to better position diaspora organisations in fragile contexts such as Afghanistan.

Future Aspirations for the Partnership

We see several growth areas in our relationship with DEMAC:

1. Applying for DEMAC-facilitated funding opportunities: While we have not yet received grants, we intend to monitor and apply for opportunities that may arise via DEMAC or its networks, thereby expanding our resource base.
2. Deeper operational collaboration: We aim to engage more intensively with DEMAC’s network of diaspora organisations: joint initiatives, shared research, collective convenings, multi-organisation programmes with Afghan diaspora partners.
3. Leveraging DEMAC’s coordination platform: By participating in DEMAC’s coordination frameworks, we plan to enhance our ability to plug into larger humanitarian responses, link with local actors in Afghanistan, and access institutional humanitarian architecture (such as Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs / OCHA).
4. Capturing and sharing learning: We plan to document and share our experiences as a diaspora organisation working in Afghanistan—lessons learned, challenges faced, successes achieved—and to contribute to DEMAC’s evidence-base on diaspora humanitarian engagement.
5. Strengthening organisational readiness: Given DEMAC’s emphasis on professionalisation, coordination and accountability, we will ensure our internal systems (MEAL, financial controls, risk mitigation, partnership management) match the expectations of diaspora-institutional collaboration.

Reflections and Real-World Considerations

It is important to adopt a balanced perspective on such a partnership:

• While DEMAC offers excellent networking, learning and coordination opportunities, the number of diaspora organisations is large, and competition for tangible funding or leadership roles within networks can be intense.
• Attendance at international meetings (such as in Geneva) elevates our visibility, but the direct translation into operational funds or field programmes may not be immediate. We must manage expectations accordingly.
• Coordination frameworks add value but also require investment of time and resources. We must ensure that engagement does not distract from our core field work in Afghanistan; we must maintain a clear balance between networking and implementation.
• As we increase our involvement, we must guard against tokenistic participation (i.e., participating in diaspora forums without operational follow-through) and instead aim for tangible outcomes—e.g., new partnerships, co-funded programmes, shared advocacy impact.

Summary

In summary, the partnership with DEMAC is a smart strategic move for Rebuild Aid. It aligns with our diaspora-based identity, opens access to global diaspora coordination platforms, enhances our capacity and network, and positions us for future growth both in funding and operational reach. While we have not yet secured direct grants through DEMAC, the engagement we have already built provides a platform for expansion. We will continue to deepen the collaboration, capitalise on the learning and networking opportunities, and ensure our internal systems are robust so that when funding or joint initiatives materialise, we are prepared to deliver.