Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 07/2012

Humanitarian Funding

April 2012

Oxfam Publishing

Abstract

In both conflicts and disasters, people anywhere have the right to the humanitarian assistance and protection that they need.When national governments are unable to provide it, or need support, the international community has a responsibility to help, including through funding humanitarian action by disaster-affected governments, local and national NGOs, the UN and others. Despite increased funding, new donors and initiatives the level and nature of funding remains inadequate. Global humanitarian funding must: Increase substantially to at least $25 billion annually by 2015, and be ready to increase further as future needs are likely to grow; Be allocated more fairly according to need; Become more timely, efficient, appropriate and accountable.