About us

The World Humanitarian Action Forum (WHAF) is a global initiative launched in 2008 to foster meaningful collaboration between international organisations and local humanitarian actors, particularly those working with or within Muslim communities. Formerly known as the Humanitarian Forum, WHAF continues to build inclusive partnerships across faiths, regions, and sectors to address critical gaps in the aid ecosystem.

While WHAF’s network is broad and diverse, many of its partners bring lived experience from contexts often marginalised in mainstream humanitarian discourse. This includes deep engagement with alternative models of aid financing and the consequences of de-risking policies, particularly those impacting organisations associated with Islamic identities.

WHAF was created to ensure these and other underrepresented perspectives help shape the future of humanitarian work — contributing to a sector that better reflects the plurality of the communities it aims to serve.

What We Do

WHAF works with many partners from different regions, backgrounds, and disciplines to reimagine a more inclusive, just, and effective humanitarian system. Our collaborations span local and national NGOs, international institutions, donors, academics, diaspora actors, media, and the private sector.

We provide spaces — both virtual and physical — for open dialogue, critical reflection, and coordinated action on some of the most pressing challenges facing the humanitarian field today, including:

• Localisation and equitable partnerships
• Access to humanitarian financing
• Protection of communities under threat
• The role of identity, power, and politics in shaping aid dynamics

Our Focus Areas

WHAF works across three interconnected pillars: advocacy, coordination, and training & knowledge sharing. Each area reflects our commitment to justice, equity, and local leadership.

Advocacy

We challenge dominant narratives and elevate lived experiences to influence policy and shift mindsets across the humanitarian sector.

• Creaturitarianism (خلائقية): A bold reimagining of humanitarian ethics rooted in Islamic and universal values, emphasising care for all living beings.
• Zakat & Islamic Social Finance: Advancing zakat as a vehicle for social justice and collective responsibility, while improving cooperation among Islamic humanitarian actors.
• De-risking & Financial Access: Conducting research and advocacy on banking restrictions that hinder humanitarian access, particularly for Muslim-led and local NGOs.
• Justice in Crisis Response: Supporting local, national and international responses in areas such as Gaza, Sudan, and Syria, ensuring their needs are recognised and resourced.

Coordination

WHAF builds trust-based partnerships and creates space for collective action, especially where systemic barriers limit collaboration.

• Local–Global Partnerships: Facilitating equitable relationships between grassroots organisations and international institutions.
• Diaspora Solidarity: Supporting diaspora actors in mobilising resources and shaping humanitarian responses.
• Joint Campaigns: Partnering on year-round advocacy and policy initiatives driven by shared goals.

Training & Knowledge Sharing

We empower current and future humanitarian actors through education, mentoring, and cross-sector learning.

• Youth Mentoring: Equipping emerging leaders with mentorship, leadership exposure, and a space to reflect and grow.
• Workshops & Toolkits: Offering training and resources on humanitarian values, localisation, and financial access.
• Whole-System Learning: Breaking silos through knowledge exchange between practitioners, researchers, and policymakers.

Visual Suggestion: Photo of a youth-led workshop or a learning circle; notebook + lightbulb icon; animated line drawing of knowledge being passed forward.

Our Guiding Question

How can aid organisations proactively reshape the aid sector so that it better protects and serves the most vulnerable communities?

Our Approach

WHAF is rooted in collaboration. We don’t operate through top-down structures — we work with our partners, not just for them.

• Partner-led: Our direction is shaped through constant dialogue with our network — local, national, and international.
• Action-focused: Conversations lead to outcomes, campaigns, and policy impact.
• Inclusive & Equitable: We strive for genuine balance between the Global South and North, amplifying underrepresented voices.
• Cross-cutting & Connective: We work across disciplines to build a stronger, more coherent humanitarian ecosystem.

At WHAF, we believe that rethinking humanitarianism starts with listening — and continues with collective action. We are committed to building a humanitarian future rooted in justice, humility, and care for all creation.