Restoring humanity: global voices calling for action

This report presents the outcomes from the worldwide consultations leading up to the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit which will take place in Istanbul, Turkey, on 23-24 May 2016. The report notes that development or disaster risk reduction goals can not be reached without reaching the millions caught up in humanitarian crises, and that a change in how we prepare and respond to crises is needed to leverage the strengths and abilities of affected people and communities affected by crises, and those of a broader and more diverse group of actors.

The report also notes that governments should forge “preparedness and response agreements” for natural hazards with the international community. Such agreements can increase the predictability and discipline of crisis management by investing in national risk reduction and response capacities to handle needs up to specified thresholds, beyond which international assistance at a predictable scale and capability is triggered. This approach needs to be supported by risk financing and increased use of innovations in science and technology to improve forecasting, early warning and risk modeling.

The outcomes from the consultations also recommended that direct funding of local organizations should be expanded and the level of direct finance to affected governments through risk financing or budget support should be increased.