COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Linking Relief, Rehabilitation and Development

The concepts of “linking relief rehabilitation and development”, and of “developmental humanitarian assistance” originate in the 1980s when both academics and practitioners voiced concern about the so-called "greyzone" between humanitarian assistance, rehabilitation and development (LRRD).This grey zone arises because humanitarian assistance differs from development co-operation programmes. The former addresses the immediate needs of individuals affected by crises and is provided mainly through nongovernmental and international organisations. The latter aims to support autonomous development policies and strategies and is provided mainly under co-operation programmes agreed with the partner country. In practical terms, this can mean that aid given to implement agricultural reform in order to improve long-term food security may not immediately improve the situation of the populations most in need of help. The corresponding instruments and working methods differ in their time perspective, the implementing partners, the role of national authorities and the content of interventions.