Global Programs Humanitarian Response Food for Peace Private and Voluntary Cooperation American Schools and Hospitals Abroad Transition Initiatives International Disaster Assistance Summary Tables Policy and Program Coordination Glossary Abbreviations & Acronyms Last updated: Monday, 18-Sep-2000 11:56:15 EDT

Taking the lead in dealing with humanitarian crises has been the task of USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Response (BHR). Over the past decade, the Agency has seen a dramatic proliferation of both man-made and natural disasters around the world, causing staggering devastation in large parts of the developing world. In 1998, an estimated 418 million people were affected by humanitarian crises, of which natural disasters accounted for 74%. There were 65 declared natural disasters last year as opposed to 27 the previous year. Although natural disasters affected considerably more people in recent years, complex emergencies still account for the major share of humanitarian resources from USAID and other donors.

Recognizing the need for creative approaches to manage the growing resource base for humanitarian programs, BHR has developed, and in some cases re-enforced, a number of management approaches to address humanitarian assistance activities.

• The bureau continues to rely heavily on PVO/NGO partners since they are able to respond quickly and effectively to changing situations. BHR's intensive use of grants and cooperative agreements in dealing with partners has helped reduce management responsibilities and is thus helping with staffing and OE constraints. These partners represent logical low cost links to local groups spreading broad-based community participation in dealing with humanitarian crisis and development.

• BHR has made strides in performance monitoring as a tool to strengthen program management and the allocation of resources. All offices have had multiple orientation sessions with partners on Agency reengineering and results reporting. Partners are increasingly responsive to the Agency's changing requirements on monitoring and reporting. BHR is currently pilot testing a promising electronic proposal submission and results reporting program which has been under development over the last year. The program is expected to significantly improve management and results reporting.

• BHR/PVC is leveraging at least one private dollar for every USAID dollar, helping PVOs leverage private sector resources for development programs through its Business PVO Partnerships Initiative, known as CORCOM, and streamlining the management of its programs.

• BHR has initiated a resource management assessment of the development food aid program, to identify innovative means to overcome current management constraints in the food aid program.

• And, finally, the bureau has encouraged field missions to integrate transition and food security programs into country portfolios. As a result, a number of missions have shifted program priorities to prevention and mitigation of natural and man-made disasters.