Here are some questions that we frequently ask ourselves ... let us know yours by email or login and leave a comment/request/correction.
What is global humanitarian assistance?
Global humanitarian assistance is a term we use to describe the international resources mobilised in response to humanitarian crises:
- the official humanitarian assistance expenditure of the DAC donors that is reported through the OECD DAC
- the humanitarian assistance from non-DAC donors that is reported through the UN OCHA Financial Tracking Service(FTS)
- public donations to UN agencies, NGOs and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
- expenditure by DAC donors that falls outside the official definition of 'official humanitarian aid'.
We cannot yet capture remittances (the money sent directly by families and diaspora communities) or the resources mobilised in the country/community of the crisis itself. Both of these sources of humanitarian assistance are significant both in terms of volume and effectiveness - but data is neither reported nor collated internationally. The GHA programme is now looking at the issue of 'local response' in more detail.
How much global humanitarian assistance is there?
We estimate that the international resources mobilised for humanitarian assistance will prove to be in the region of US$18billion in 2008 (pending further data release during 2009). Our estimates for 2007 and 2006 were US$15 billion and US$14 billion respectively.
Here's a visual summary of global humanitarian assistance in 2007 and 2008 - PDF (54KB)
What does the Global Humanitarian Assistance programme do?
We want to provide access to reliable, transparent and understandable information so that we can all work to ensure better outcomes for people affected by humanitarian crises.
Our data collation and analysis of the international resources directed to humanitarian crises helps answer some of the basic 'who, what, why' questions. We are keen to make this information as clear, simple and accessible as possible. Information in the hands of the right people, whether donors, aid organisations, tax-payers or beneficiaries has a huge potential to change humanitarian aid for the better.
Here's a PDF of our vision statement in English, French, Spanish.
Who is behind the Global Humanitarian Assistance programme?
The Global Humanitarian Assistance (GHA) programme is led by Development Initiatives and funded by the governments of Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
The GHA team includes: Judith Randel (Director); Jan Kellett (Programme Leader); Jane Keylock (Policy Advisor, leader on domestic response and GHD workstreams); Lisa Walmsley (leader on official development assistance (ODA), dData and communications workstreams); Hannah Glanville (leader on funding mechanisms workstream and programme support); and Kerry Smith (leader on non-DAC donor workstream and programme support).
Development Initiatives is an independent organisation that specialises in development policy and financing, access to information and communication for poverty elimination.
What is 'official' humanitarian assistance?
The 23 members of the OECD DAC (22 donor countries plus the EC) are required to report their official development assistance (ODA), which includes humanitarian aid, to the DAC secretariat each year.
The data relating to ODA and humanitarian aid expenciture can be found in DAC Table 1, Official and Private Flows- Disbursements and Commitments. Aggregate data (no breakdown by recipient) on ODA, OOF, private and NGO data by donor, type of aid and flow. Humanitarian aid is captured in line: I.A.1.5. Humanitarian Aid.
What is a DAC donor?
The 23 members of the OECD DAC are: Australia; Austria; Belgium; Canada; Denmark; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Ireland; Italy; Japan; Luxembourg; the Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; Portugal; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; the United Kingdom; the United States; and the EC.
What is a DAC peer review?
Each year, the DAC conducts peer reviews of four or five members’ development policies, strategies and activities. The review team (comprising DAC peers and secretariat staff) undertakes analysis and consultations, travelling to the donor’s headquarters and to one or two missions in the field over a six-month period. Full reviews are held every four or five years. Mid-course checks are carried out two to three years following the initial review. Since 2004, the peer review team has included a humanitarian advisor.
You can read and find out more about DAC peer reviews on the DAC website: http://www.oecd.org/department/0,3355,en_2649_34603_1_1_1_1_1,00.html
Here's a specific link to the DAC peer review timetable: http://www.oecd.org/document/39/0,3343,en_2649_34603_35651623_1_1_1_1,00.html
You can also find out more on the GHD website: http://www.goodhumanitariandonorship.org/dac-peer-reviews.asp