Degan Ali

Degan is a strong believer that the current humanitarian and development aid system needs to be transformed to give more power and voice to local communities and civil society organizations. Following this belief, Degan continues to innovate and develop new solutions to build the infrastructure that will truly shift power and resources.

In 2016, Degan launched the Network for Empowered Aid Response (NEAR), a vibrant Global South network of CSOs that has since increased to over 200 members. She was the one who suggested to establish a 20% target of direct humanitarian funding to local actors, which was later adopted and increased to 25% in the Grand Bargain commitment at the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit (WHS).

Degan also focuses on changing the way aid is delivered on a regional level: Given the dignity, agency and effectiveness of providing cash to households, she led Adeso in introducing humanitarian cash transfers in Somalia in 2003, which was later scaled up during the 2011 famine. It was Degan’s strong strategic advocacy and demonstration of success of cash transfers in Somalia through the work of Adeso that contributed to the global acceptance of cash. This ensured that Somalia led the global use and scale up of cash transfers in the humanitarian system.

Degan joined Adeso (formerly Horn Relief) as Deputy Director in 2003 and she became Adeso’s Executive Director in 2006. Degan has more than 20 years of hands-on experience in strategic planning, organizational development, program management and business development strategies, continuously demonstrating the ability to lead diverse teams of professionals to new levels of success in a highly competitive and fast-paced environment.

Degan is dedicated to provide local communities with a voice, and passionate about democratizing the way humanitarian and development aid is currently delivered. She believes in the values of partnership and collaboration, please reach out to know more.