Floods in Pakistan 'More Destructive than Tsunami'

The number of people affected by Pakistan's floods is now estimated to be 13.8 million, according to the Government of Pakistan.

While not all may be in need of immediate humanitarian assistance, and the severity of their needs has not yet been fully assessed, this is a higher figure than those who were affected by the 2005 South Asia tsunami (five million), the 2005 South Asia earthquake (three million), or the 2010 Haiti earthquake (three million).

The estimate of homes destroyed or seriously damaged — 290,000 — is almost the same as those destroyed in Haiti.

The ALNAP Lessons paper, Flood disasters: Learning from previous relief and recovery operations may prove useful for agencies planning and delivering humanitarian operations in the affected areas.
 

26th ALNAP Meeting

The role of national governments in international humanitarian response to disasters
 

The 26th ALNAP Meeting will focus on the relationship between the international humanitarian system and national governments. Building on existing and new research by ALNAP and others, the meeting will bring together a range of key humanitarian and government actors with the specific aim of exploring better ways of collaborating in disaster response.

Hosted by the Red Cross/ Red Crescent Movement and supported by Mercy Malaysia, the meeting will take place between 16th-18th November 2010 in Kuala Lumpur

We look forward to welcoming ALNAP full members to join us for this agenda setting meeting in the humanitarian calendar. The meeting concept note is available to read here and more information can be found on the meeting here.

Surging food prices hit food security across the world

Rising food prices are having an impact on humanitarian operations around the world. This report from Bloomberg highlights that the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization's food price index -- which includes grains, meat, dairy and other items in 90 countries -- was up 22 percent in March from a year earlier. In some Asian markets, rice and wheat prices are 20 to 70 percent above 2008 levels.

With food consuming up to 70 percent of family income in the poorest countries, rising prices are squeezing household budgets and threatening to worsen malnutrition.

The ALNAP Lessons paper, The Global Food Price Crisis: Lessons and Ideas for Relief Planners and Managers may prove useful for agencies planning humanitarian operations in the context of rising food prices.