BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
FAILING to strengthen community engagement and accountability measures during humanitarian responses could leave the most vulnerable people without lifesaving assistance, according to the latest Accountability to Affected People (AAP) report.
The July 2026 AAP report by the Pacific Humanitarian Team warns that significant gaps in inclusion, communication, feedback mechanisms and protection remain following the response to Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Maila, which affected about 150,000 people across Western and Choiseul provinces.
The report states that unless humanitarian organisations improve the way they engage with affected communities, critical information and assistance may not reach those who need it most.
One of the key concerns highlighted is the risk of excluding marginalized groups from humanitarian assistance.
The report says if vulnerable groups are not adequately included in information-sharing and community engagement activities, they may miss lifesaving early warning messages and have their specific needs overlooked during emergency responses.
It notes that persons with disabilities often require specialised support, including tailored dignity kits for women with mobility challenges. Without proper consultation and identification of their needs, humanitarian agencies risk failing to provide appropriate assistance.
The report also highlights that people of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) may face increased protection risks during emergencies if they are not meaningfully consulted and included in response planning.
According to the report, 23 percent of surveyed community members said they did not receive early warning messages before Cyclone Maila. Many respondents also described the information they received as either too late or unclear.
The report warns that an over-reliance on face-to-face communication, while underutilising radio broadcasts, SMS messaging and other communication technologies, increases the likelihood that important emergency information will not reach everyone.
The report found that most community respondents were unaware of how or where to submit feedback or complaints about humanitarian services.
It warns that unless humanitarian organisations actively promote these reporting channels, serious complaints, including allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and corruption, may go unreported and similar issues could occur in future emergency responses.
Although community volunteers and local leaders remain trusted points of contact, the report recommends that humanitarian agencies also establish confidential and anonymous reporting options to ensure survivors and community members can safely report concerns.
The report further raises concerns over abuse, exploitation and corruption during aid distribution.
Survey findings revealed that nine percent of respondents reported being asked to provide something in exchange for receiving humanitarian assistance.
According to the report, gaps in Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Accountability to Affected People (AAP) training, together with inadequate standard operating procedures, could result in incidents not being reported or properly addressed.
The report concludes that strengthening inclusive engagement, expanding communication channels, improving accessible feedback systems and reinforcing protection measures will be critical to ensure future humanitarian responses are more accountable, transparent and responsive to the needs of affected communities.
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