Review of existing practices to ensure participation of disaster-affected communities in humanitarian aid operations

 This review provides an overview of the most relevant policy, practice, literature and research
concerning the participation of disaster affected communities in humanitarian action. It identifies key
case studies and examples of best practice from a range of organisations and scenarios. The review
also includes an analysis of donor funding policies and approaches, as well as the impact of ‘lessons
learnt’ on future actions. This includes the way ‘participation’ is formulated in terms of policy and how
it is carried out in practice in multiple contexts. The report provides a set of conclusions and specific
recommendations for DG ECHO with the aim of further integration of participatory approaches in
future humanitarian interventions. These recommendations are made in anticipation of a full scale
review to be carried out by DG ECHO at a future date.