Summary

Research Report: Investigates donor policies and behaviour in humanitarian financing.

Description

Author: Ian Smillie and Larry Minear, The Humanitarianism and War
Project

This study investigates donor policies and behaviour in humanitarian
financing. The authors find that donor behavior currently represents a
patchwork of policies and activities by individual governments which, taken
together, do not provide a coherent or effective system for financing the
international humanitarian enterprise. They argue that the longstanding
foundation for donor assistance to humanitarian emergencies - that it reflect
the severity of need and be applied according to acknowledged principles of
proportionality, neutrality, impartiality, and independence - competes with,
and is sometimes inconsistent with, domestic and foreign policy priorities. The
influence of the media and of personal and institutional leadership on policy
and action is evident as well.

The authors find that the overall effectiveness of humanitarian action is
compromised by donor earmarking, by short funding cycles, by unrequited pledges
and late funding, by tying contributions to a donor's own nationals, NGOs,
and contractors, and by donor political interests. The lack of standard donor
definitions, priorities, time-frames, and reporting requirements places the
onus for efficiency and effectiveness on delivery agencies that are, as a
result, unable to perform to their own satisfaction or to that of most
donors.

The paper addresses a number of implementation issues, including bilateral
Vs multilateral spending patterns, time and timing, and NGO structures which
all play a critical role in determining the effectiveness of humanitarian
action. The authors also discuss the architecture of donor organizations
as well as those of implementing agencies, concluding that today's
structures for managing humanitarian action are in many ways dependent on
outmoded and artificial constructs.

The report make twelve recommendations, proposing broadly that donors work
towards a strengthened multilateral core which has the mandate, capacity, and
resources to meet humanitarian needs in a more impartial and effective manner.
It urges the strengthening of civilian as against military channels and of the
institutions of southern civil society as humanitarian actors.

The Humanitarian and War Project review the experience of the international
community in responding to complex emergencies around the world, examining the
interplay between humanitarian action and political-military force.

Quality of Money: Donor Behaviour in Humanitarian Financing [External link PDF 514KB ]

Available: Electronic version only

This report was commissioned by AusAID. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed in the report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of AusAID or the Australian Government.

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