United Nations–European Union Cooperation in Aid, Relief and Reconstruction — The Haiti Case

Abstract

Saving lives and alleviating suffering are the first acts in the aftermath of a humanitarian emergency. This response is usually conceived as a short-term reaction that involves several actors inside and outside the affected area: states, international organizations, NGOs, and private entities. However, especially in the event of natural disasters, it is very difficult to draw a line between when the emergency ends and long-lasting assistance, aiming at a full recovery of the affected country or region, starts. Since humanitarian emergencies produce complex situations, it is of paramount importance to have a coherent framework in which each actor can contribute promptly and effectively to the overall effort.