The purpose of this annual report is to develop an index of good humanitarian donorship that will measure donors' effectiveness against their commitment to the Principles and Good Practise of Humanitarian Donorship. The index is intended to help the international donor community to better understand its strengths and weaknesses in order to improve the efficiency and quality of its donor activities and initiatives. The index is also expected to raise awareness about the increasingly important role of humanitarian action and associated good practices beyond its current core constituencies. We believe that this report offers significant potential to improve the quality of humanitarian aid, benefiting those most affected by both man-made and natural disasters.

Over 350 million people are affected each year by disaster and conflict. The international community is often unable to respond effectively to these crises. This report provides an independent examination of donor performance with the aim of improving the effectiveness of aid, and promoting greater accountability of donors.

Statement of responsibility from p. [2] of cover.

This study explores elements critical to effective humanitarian assistance and protection. It details global trends that shape humanitarian needs, risks and response expectations. It situates the study in the context of concurrent global agendas and recent trends in the dialogue on humanitarian effectiveness. The findings are organized around 12 elements of effectiveness. It concludes with five overarching shifts in mindset and approach that will contribute to strengthening humanitarian effectiveness as well as advancing areas of shared interests with other major change areas such as sustainable development, peacebuilding, climate change and gender equality. The study puts forward a model that can be used to chart progress in advancing humanitarian effectiveness over time.