What remains after humanitarian organizations leave? An exploration of community perspectives regarding sustainability and humanitarian aid in the Philippines

Humanitarian organizations, while addressing acute crises, may ask questions regarding their role in supporting longer term recovery. Planning for and implementing project closure presents opportunities to integrate plans to sustain benefits and services that can extend past the emergency intervention. This study employs interpretive description methodology to examine local stakeholders' experiences of project closure. Data was collected through eight focus groups and thirty-four key informant interviews, involving 101 participants across six communities in the Philippines. This article presents findings related to perceptions of sustainability. Participants characterized sustainability as a shared responsibility between humanitarian organizations and local actors, to be considered at every stage of project implementation. Moreover, sustained relationships were identified as pivotal for ensuring lasting project benefits, including capacities, services, material gains, and livelihood support. Participants' insights offer guidance for how, when, and to what extent humanitarian organizations can address underlying vulnerabilities and support communities’ long-term well-being beyond the immediate crisis.