Humanitarian crises—whether caused by conflict, disasters, or climate change—demand timely, effective, and people-centered responses. At IRL, we research humanitarian action with a dual focus: immediate response effectiveness and long-term resilience. Our work examines coordination mechanisms, localization of aid, protection of vulnerable groups, and innovative approaches in humanitarian delivery. We highlight how humanitarian interventions can move beyond short-term relief to strengthen community capacities and reduce dependency. By analyzing best practices in resilience-building, including livelihood recovery, social safety nets, and community preparedness, we generate insights that bridge humanitarian and development approaches. Our participatory research methods ensure that affected populations are at the center of designing and assessing solutions. Ultimately, IRL aims to provide organizations with evidence-based strategies that not only save lives in emergencies but also lay the foundation for durable resilience in fragile contexts.