The ALNAP Review of Humanitarian Action series aims to advance analysis and understanding of current trends in humanitarian action, as a means of supporting improvement in sector-wide performance. On an annual basis, the Review provides critical reflection on an area of particular concern in its themed chapter; provides an overview of current trends through its synthesis of evaluation findings; and attempts to assess the strengths and weaknesses of evaluation practice through its meta-evaluation.

The Review of Humanitarian Action in

Forced Migration Review provides a forum for the regular exchange of practical experience, information and ideas between researchers, refugees and internally displaced people, and those who work with them. FMR provides a practice oriented forum for debate and information exchange on issues facing refugees and IDPs. This supplement of Forced Migration Review is published at a crucial moment as the international community recognises the need to urgently address current failures in protection and assistance for internally displaced people. Articles from key ?gures

Every year the lives of millions of people are devastated by natural disasters, conflict and other humanitarian emergencies. 2005 has seen particularly extreme humanitarian emergencies including the tsunami, the Sahel food crisis, and hurricanes Katrina and Stan. Tackling these crises requires a range of actions including immediate humanitarian assistance and long-term development. This short paper focuses on one concrete way in which the global humanitarian response could be improved to help prevent avoidable suffering and death - the upgrading of the existing UN Central

A new research technique in the social sciences, discourse analysis can contribute to conflict studies by introducing a focus on social realities, identities, power distribution and legitimization. Providing an overview of the main philosophical ideas behind the present day discourse schools, this paper aims to facilitate choice for conflict researchers searching for an angle to analyze conflicts from a discourse perspective. Suggestions of conflict topics where discourse analysis might prove insightful are given. Finally, an expansion of the conflict research discourse itself is recommended.

This report proposes five steps to improve the global response to internal displacement. If taken, these steps would build ownership of IDPs by host governments and foreign donors, implement rules and standards governing the response, reform the response of the United Nations and the United States, and create a permanent advocacy constituency for IDPs.

Contents:
- Sovereignty as the "Responsibility to Protect" in IDP crises
- Guiding principles on Internal Displacement
- Restructure the UN's approach to IDPs
- Improve the U.S. government's response to IDP crises

The World Disasters Report 2005 focuses on information in disasters

People need information as much as water, food, medicine or shelter. Information can save lives, livelihoods and resources. It may be the only form of disaster preparedness that the most vulnerable can afford. The right kind of information leads to a deeper understanding of needs and ways to respond. The wrong information can lead to inappropriate, even dangerous interventions.

Information bestows power. Lack of information can make people victims of disaster. Do aid organizations use information

The report is a product of a conference organized by the Refugee Council on how to safeguard the future of refugee children A number of issues particular to refugee children are highlighted as well as the practical skills that can be adapted and applied in a day to day work. The report also identifies the challenges facing refugee children and how current legislation relates to the protection and life chances of those children. Routes for improving protection and integration, such as through education, health care and guardianship are also identified.

Water is an integral part of our ecosystem, preserving life, maintaining the natural forests, and nurturing flora and fauna. Yet its course is also a saga of degradation, deterioration, and diminishing resources, striking at the very roots of human existence.

In the struggle for life, women and children play a silent role in making water available to their families and loved ones. In both rural and urban areas of much of the world, collecting water is a woman's task.

With growing water scarcity, women and

This report has been prepared pursuant to section XI, paragraph 57, of General Assembly resolution 59/276, in which the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to report to the Assembly at its sixtieth session on the implementation of that resolution.

The report outlines the progress achieved in establishing a strengthened and unified security management system for the United Nations, both in the field and at Headquarters, as proposed in the report of the Secretary-General (A/59/365 and Add.1) and approved by the Assembly. A number of related matters called for by the Assembly