"GHD has the potential to make major differences in your ability to reach more people in need, more quickly, more effectively and more equitably" (Ian Smillie, Tufts University, Ottawa 2004)

Good Humanitarian Donorship: The Challenge

Donor Governments are spending more and more money on humanitarian aid. In 2004 nearly $5 billion, over 10% of official development assistance, was spent on emergency relief. This money pays for the food, medical care and other essentials critical to the survival of those affected by war and natural disasters. It is vital that this money is used effectively.

A major challenge is making sure that enough money is available at the right time. This money then needs to be spent on the right kind of assistance, and targeted according to need: not political affiliation, ethnicity, religion or race.

Donor governments recognise their pivotal role in addressing these challenges. In 2003 a number of donor governments created the Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD) initiative to work towards achieving efficient and principled humanitarian assistance. 36 donor bodies have now signed up to these principles.

What is the Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD) initiative?

The GHD initiative provides a forum for donors to discuss good practice in Humanitarian Financing and other shared concerns. By defining principles and standards it provides both a framework to guide official humanitarian aid and a mechanism for encouraging greater donor accountability. More information can be found in Background to GHD.

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