No One Left Behind?
In times of crisis, humanitarian programs are meant to provide relief and protection to those who need it most. But what happens when entire communities are left out — not by accident, but by design?
For people with diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC), exclusion from aid isn’t just an inconvenience. It’s a matter of survival. Despite commitments to human rights, these individuals face systemic discrimination that deepens in times of crisis. Yet, instead of prioritising inclusion, many humanitarian efforts continue to overlook or actively exclude them, reinforcing dangerous cycles of marginalisation.
The Reality of Exclusion
In many parts of the world, having a diverse gender identity, expression, or sexuality is criminalised. In others, deeply ingrained societal discrimination forces people into the shadows, making access to aid nearly impossible. When disaster strikes — whether a war, a famine, or a cyclone — people with diverse SOGIESC often find themselves shut out of shelters, denied food, water, and medical care, and experiencing greater rates of sexual and gender-based violence.
This exclusion isn’t just about social stigma; it’s built into the very structure of humanitarian aid. Assessment criteria often assume rigid heteronormative, cisnormative, and gender-binary norms, unconscious or uncaring that some people don’t fit into the predefined boxes that determine who gets help. Many programs rely on incomplete or flawed data that erases diverse SOGIESC individuals entirely, making their needs invisible.
The Impact of Shrinking Support
As if these barriers weren’t enough, funding cuts have only made things worse. The Trump administration’s policy shifts gutted funding for programs, leaving critical services to collapse overnight. Offices shut down, humanitarian workers lost their jobs, and those who depended on aid were left behind — including every single program that included people with diverse SOGIESC. Other funding sources have also scaled back support, further limiting resources for those most at risk.
For many, this isn’t just an issue of access — it’s a life-or-death situation. Without funding, diverse SOGIESC people, in emergencies, lose what little access they had to food, shelter, medical care, and legal protection. One of the most marginalised communities — the diverse SOGIESC communities, already teetering on the edge — are pushed further into harm.
The Myth of Neutrality
Some argue that aid organisations should remain neutral, steering clear of “political” issues like gender and sexuality. But neutrality doesn’t exist in a world where exclusion is the default. Ignoring diverse SOGIESC individuals doesn’t make a program fairer — it makes it complicit in existing inequalities.
When aid fails to include marginalised communities, it actively reinforces harm. Without targeted protections, diverse SOGIESC individuals are more likely to face violence, sexual assault, and forced displacement. Trans people are often denied healthcare. Same-sex couples are refused food aid. Queer youth are left without shelter, at risk of abuse or even death.
Failing to prioritise inclusion isn’t just an oversight; it’s a betrayal of humanitarian principles. The core commitment of aid work is to “do no harm.” But by neglecting the needs of diverse SOGIESC communities, many programs are doing precisely that.
A Call for Change
It doesn’t have to be this way. The humanitarian sector has the power — and the responsibility — to do better. Inclusion isn’t just about adding LGBTQI+ acronyms to a list of vulnerable groups; it requires a fundamental shift in how aid is designed and delivered.
A Human Rights-Based Approach
People with diverse SOGIESC must be seen as active rights-holders, not just passive aid recipients. This means ensuring protection, not as an afterthought but as a core component of all humanitarian efforts.
Sustainable and Diversified Funding
Over-reliance on politically volatile funding sources leaves marginalised communities vulnerable. Investing in grassroots-led initiatives and community-driven solutions ensures that support doesn’t disappear when governments change.
Inclusive Policies and Programs
Every aspect of humanitarian aid, from data collection to program design, must consider diverse gender identities and sexual orientations. Shelters, food distribution, healthcare, and legal aid must all be accessible to diverse SOGIESC individuals.
Beyond Charity: Addressing Systemic Inequality
Inclusion isn’t just about representation; it’s about dismantling the structures that create inequality in the first place. This means challenging the economic and political systems that keep marginalised communities in a state of precarity.
A Future Where No One Is Left Behind
True humanitarianism means standing up for those most at risk, even when it’s politically inconvenient. It means recognising that aid isn’t truly effective unless it reaches everyone.
People with diverse SOGIESC aren’t asking for special treatment. They’re asking for the same basic dignity and protection that should be afforded to all human beings. By prioritising real inclusion — not just in words, but in actions — humanitarian programs can finally begin to live up to their mission.
The choice is clear: either we commit to building a world where no one is left behind, or we allow systems of exclusion to continue their harm. The time to act is now!
