02 | Introduction

The GHA Report 2009 presents the latest data on financial flows to humanitarian
crises. But the key messages in the report are not only about money. Financing
decisions affect behaviour and humanitarian architecture. They help determine the
power of different groups, they influence policy priorities and capacity
development.

The financial choices made within and between humanitarian crises will often have
consequences that are felt well beyond the scope of the original time-bound
intervention. So it is important to see the data and analysis presented here on the
financial aspects of humanitarian assistance within the wider context of protecting
lives and livelihoods and poverty reduction – making linkages between short-term,
acute crises and long-term, chronic poverty. These issues are examined in more
detail in the final chapter of this year’s report.

GHA Report 2009 presents updated statistical information on financial flows to

humanitarian situations. It provides new information and analysis on funding from
NGOs and non-DAC donors, together with analysis of the links between
humanitarian crises and chronic poverty. The 2009 report also examines the impact
of new financing mechanisms such as the CERF and country-level pooled funds.
Future GHA reports will also look in depth at humanitarian responses from
developing countries themselves, which we believe are currently underestimated
as a part of the overall humanitarian picture.

Statistical information is only useful if it is easy to access and understand. We have

tried to make the information in this report and on our website as user-friendly as
possible. But if you are unsure on any aspect of the data and how to interpret it,
please don’t hesitate to email or phone us for clarification.

We do our utmost to ensure that the data we use is the best available, but we are
always pleased to hear of additional data sources and we welcome comments and
suggestions on how we can improve our methodology.

About the Global Humanitarian Assistance (GHA) programme

Annual GHA reports are a key part of the GHA data access and transparency
programme led by Development Initiatives and funded by grants from the
governments of Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United
Kingdom. The GHA programme aims to improve the efficiency, effectiveness,
coherence and impact of humanitarian response by increasing access to reliable,
transparent and understandable data on humanitarian assistance.

Since 2000, GHA reports have attempted to provide standard information for
people and institutions involved in humanitarian policy, programming and
performance. This includes donor agencies, recipient countries, local and
international NGOs and multilateral institutions. The goal is a shared evidence base
that people can use in their planning and policy work to ensure better outcomes for
the women, men and children whose lives are affected by humanitarian crises.
GHA reports aim to present information objectively, rather than in support of any
particular perspective.

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