About Vanguard Humanity
Who We Are
Independent, locally informed humanitarian action for people and communities affected by crisis.
Vanguard Humanity (VH) is an independent international humanitarian association registered in France, established to support individuals and communities affected by conflict, displacement and disaster.
Founded on the belief that humanitarian action must be principled, locally informed and responsive to the realities of affected populations, VH seeks to address immediate needs while supporting pathways toward recovery, self-reliance and resilience.
With a geographic focus on the Middle East and Africa, VH brings together humanitarian expertise, local knowledge and a commitment to responsible collaboration.
Our Mission
To support people and communities affected by humanitarian crises through principled assistance, locally informed collaboration and approaches that connect immediate relief with longer-term recovery.
Our Vision
A world where people affected by conflict, displacement and disaster can rebuild their lives, exercise greater agency and shape their own futures, supported by resilient communities and stronger local capabilities.
Our founding philosophy
Our founding philosophy
While emergency assistance is essential to saving lives and addressing urgent needs, humanitarian action must also consider the social, economic and institutional challenges that communities face during recovery.
People at the centre
We recognise the rights, priorities and capabilities of crisis-affected individuals and communities and seek to promote their meaningful participation.
Local leadership and partnership
We value the knowledge and experience of local actors and seek to support collaboration that strengthens national and community-level capabilities.
Recovery beyond immediate relief
We aim to connect humanitarian assistance with opportunities for greater stability, economic recovery and long-term resilience.
Our humanitarian focus
Our humanitarian focus
VH's core humanitarian priorities encompass four interconnected sectors, shaped by the needs and context of affected populations.
VH is also developing complementary approaches in cash-based assistance, financial inclusion and programming responsive to the needs of women and vulnerable groups. Across these areas, our aim is to advance humanitarian responses that are needs-based, context-sensitive and attentive to the longer-term priorities of affected communities.
Food Security
Supporting access to essential food assistance and nutrition-related interventions for populations affected by emergencies.
WASH
Contributing to access to safe water, appropriate sanitation and hygiene practices that protect health and well-being.
Shelter
Supporting emergency and transitional shelter needs, including essential household assistance for displaced and crisis-affected populations.
Livelihoods
Promoting opportunities for income recovery, economic participation and greater household resilience.
Our principles and commitments
Our principles and commitments
VH is guided by the four internationally recognised humanitarian principles, alongside particular commitments to local leadership and accountability.
Humanity
Preventing and alleviating human suffering, protecting life and respecting the dignity of every individual.
Impartiality
Providing assistance according to need, without discrimination based on nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, political opinion or other status.
Neutrality
Maintaining a non-partisan humanitarian position and refraining from taking sides in hostilities or political, religious and ideological controversies.
Independence
Preserving the autonomy of humanitarian objectives and decisions from political, religious, commercial or other external interests.
Local Leadership
Recognising local knowledge, supporting meaningful participation and encouraging communities and national actors to shape humanitarian priorities.
Accountability
Promoting responsible governance, transparency, safeguarding and responsiveness to the people and communities our work is intended to serve.
Where we focus
Our geographic focus
VH's geographic priorities centre on the Middle East and Africa, regions where conflict, displacement, economic vulnerability and humanitarian emergencies continue to create complex challenges for communities.
Our approach recognises that humanitarian needs differ significantly between countries and communities. We therefore seek to develop context-specific responses grounded in local understanding, collaboration and the priorities of affected populations.
Building relationships
Local partnership and collaboration
As VH expands its institutional and operational capacity, it aims to establish meaningful relationships with local organisations, humanitarian stakeholders, public institutions and development partners.
We recognise that communities affected by crises possess the experience, capabilities and determination to contribute meaningfully to their own recovery. Our approach is therefore built around working with communities rather than simply delivering assistance to them.
The people behind the work
Our Leadership
VH's founding leadership brings experience across international development, humanitarian response, social protection, cash-based interventions, financial inclusion and institutional collaboration.
Eloïse Roos Kilhoffer
President and FounderEloïse Roos Kilhoffer is a development and humanitarian specialist with more than 10 years of experience working alongside communities, governments and partners in over 15 countries across Africa and the Middle East.
She has worked with the European Commission and Mercy Corps and has led programmes funded by the European Union, USAID, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the French Development Agency (AFD).
Among these was a USAID-funded programme in Mauritania that supported more than 10,000 vulnerable people through cash assistance, training and social services.
Her expertise spans social protection, gender equality, financial inclusion and health. Central to her professional approach is the belief that lasting change begins with communities themselves.
As a founder and leader of VH, Eloïse brings this experience to the organisation's development, with a particular commitment to safeguarding, accountability and women's empowerment.
Anthony John Etim
Managing Director and FounderAnthony John Etim is a senior Cash-Based Interventions (CBI) specialist with over 18 years of professional experience across Africa and Asia, including complex humanitarian and conflict-affected environments.
His expertise encompasses multipurpose cash assistance (MPCA), market-based programming, financial inclusion, digital currencies, blockchain-related programmes and inter-agency humanitarian coordination.
Anthony has extensive experience co-chairing Cash Working Groups (CWGs), conducting feasibility studies and market assessments, developing Minimum Expenditure Baskets (MEB) and transfer values, and establishing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for cash delivery.
His professional work also includes engagement with government authorities, United Nations partners, NGOs and private-sector financial service providers to promote accountable, risk-managed and inclusive cash-based interventions.
As Managing Director and Founder of VH, Anthony contributes his technical expertise and humanitarian experience to the organisation's strategic development, programme design and commitment to responsible implementation.
Building capacity and knowledge
Investing in people, institutions and knowledge.
VH recognises that strengthening humanitarian action also requires investment in people, institutions and knowledge.
Alongside its humanitarian priorities, the organisation is developing complementary capabilities in professional capacity building, technical assessments, research and advisory services.
Through Capacity Building and the developing Vanguard Analytics initiative, VH aims to connect practical field knowledge with professional learning, evidence and technical expertise.
Organisation and governance
Ethical conduct and professional standards.
Vanguard Humanity is registered in France under the Association Loi 1901 framework.
Registration number: RNA W641015602
The organisation is committed to developing governance systems and professional practices that support humanitarian independence, responsible financial management, safeguarding, transparency and accountability.
VH seeks to build institutional credibility through ethical conduct, professional standards and responsible partnerships.
Partnerships and collaboration
Partnerships and collaboration
VH recognises that humanitarian challenges cannot be addressed by organisations working in isolation. We seek to develop constructive relationships with humanitarian organisations, community-based institutions, public authorities, international agencies, donors and private-sector partners whose engagement aligns with humanitarian principles.
Our approach to partnership emphasises mutual respect, clearly defined responsibilities, local participation and a shared commitment to the needs and priorities of affected populations. Through responsible collaboration, VH aims to contribute to humanitarian assistance that is more relevant, coordinated and sustainable.
Contact our team