Geneva:Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), has been appointed as the Global Ambassador for the Grand Bargain. This major global initiative aims to enhance the effectiveness, accountability, and local leadership of humanitarian actions.
According to National News Agency RSS, Chapagain was officially welcomed into his new role during the 2026 Grand Bargain Annual Meeting in Geneva. His initial term as Global Ambassador extends for two years, during which he will lead efforts to unite various stakeholders, including governments, donors, United Nations agencies, NGOs, and local humanitarian organizations, to address significant challenges within the humanitarian system.
The Grand Bargain, launched after the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, is dedicated to reforming the financing, organization, and delivery of humanitarian assistance. As it enters a new phase in 2027, it will operate as the Collective Action Platform for the Grand Bargain (CAP4GB), emphasizing quality funding, localization, and equitable partnerships.
Chapagain’s role as Global Ambassador is distinct from his duties as IFRC Secretary General. He will provide political leadership and work to ensure local and national humanitarian actors’ perspectives reach global decision-makers. His responsibilities include fostering practical implementation of global commitments at the country level and enhancing links between local evidence and global humanitarian decision-making.
Chapagain has pledged to listen to stakeholders, relay their concerns to decision-makers, and ensure follow-up on commitments. He emphasizes local leadership and aims to bring the voices of those closest to crises into international humanitarian discussions. His approach focuses on translating commitments into actionable outcomes to improve the daily lives of those affected by crises. Chapagain’s appointment symbolizes a renewed international effort toward humanitarian reform, with a focus on local leadership and equitable partnerships.