June 14, 2012

We continue to disseminate findings and recommendations of the Humanitarian Response Index 2011- Addressing The Gender Challenge in the US, as well as consulting stakeholders on the next phase of the HRI.

Philip Tamminga and Marybeth Redheffer from the HRI Initiative recently visited Washington D.C. and New York to brief government officials and humanitarian and academic organizations on the Humanitarian Response Index findings and the implication for US foreign assistance.

A presentation of the HRI 2011 took place at a special symposium at the US Institute of Peace, American University, in Washington. While in D.C. DARA also met with representatives from USAID and the State Department to discuss the HRI and outline plans for the next stage of the HRI.

We also shared the report findings at a joint meeting of the IASC and InterAction in New York. Attendees included representatives from OCHA, WFP, UNHCR, Habitat, Concern, Refugees International and International Rescue Committee. Side-meetings and briefings were held with UN OCHA, UNICEF and UN Women amongst others.

These presentations are a continuation of briefings held in 2011 in the US. Last year, DARA was invited by The Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS) to present the Humanitarian Response Index 2010 findings on the increasing politicization of aid and recommendations for the US. DARA also briefed the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN) and met with USAID, the State Department, the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Oversight Committee.

As you may already know, we recently obtained 501(c)(3) status in the US as a non-profit organization. This is an important step forward and will allow us to build on our extensive history of activities in the United States over the past five years, and better work toward our mission of improve the quality and impact of aid efforts. In particular, we hope to share our knowledge and expertise on how the US government, aid organizations and civil society can maximize their considerable resources for the benefit of people at risk of disasters, conflicts and climate change.

Stay tuned for updates on our activities in the US in the coming months.