DONARE FAQs presents a selection of frequently asked questions about humanitarian actors, naming key players, describing the roles and responsibilities of different organizations and stakeholders, and how humanitarian action is coordinated.
Those who want to learn more about humanitarian work around the world can take a look at websites that are mainly used by professionals. DONARE has compiled an overview of internet sites and digital services aimed at experts and insiders in the field of humanitarian aid. Some of the humanitarian information services can also be helpful for journalists researching crisis situations.
OCHA is the acronym for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. OCHA coordinates the work of UN agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other national and international actors in humanitarian emergencies. It is the principal international player on humanitarian assistance issues. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is led by the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.
Humanitarian aid plays a crucial role in responding to the urgent needs of people affected by crises, including armed conflicts, natural disasters, and health emergencies. DONARE consists of more than 2,000 pages related to humanitarian action. You can navigate through some of the content using the topics listed below. Learn about organizations, global issues, and initiatives dedicated to alleviating human suffering.
With the exception of severe natural disasters in their early stages - especially when they hit developed countries or emerging economies - most humanitarian crises that impact tens of millions of people worldwide are underreported and many forgotten. Complex emergencies or humanitarian crises caused mainly by war, conflict, persecution and the climate crisis rarely make the headlines, in particular when these crises occur in African or Asian countries.
Who is the world's largest humanitarian donor? From year to year, the numbers vary on how much money governments and supranational organizations contribute to global humanitarian emergencies. Some countries give much more than others, while many governments keep a low profile. But there were also some stable trends over several years up to 2025. Different calculations lead to slightly diverging results. DONARE's rankings are based on financial data provided by the United Nations.
A Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) is a document that outlines the coordinated response to a humanitarian crisis. The plan is developed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in consultation with the government of the affected country, other UN agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Get informed, Donate, Give attention - DONARE is an information platform focused on donations, humanitarian aid and humanitarian crises worldwide. On our website you will find the latest humanitarian news, background information on humanitarian work, aid organizations, humanitarian emergencies and details on how you can help, whether as a donor or through other means. DONARE stands by the most vulnerable people.
Many people dream of working in humanitarian aid or are already active in humanitarian affairs and want to find a new career. Even those starting out in the field have a variety of career opportunities. Remember that humanitarian work is both rewarding and demanding. It is important that you approach humanitarian jobs with a sincere desire to make a positive impact on vulnerable communities.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that catastrophic flooding continues in the West and Central Africa region, affecting some 7.1 million people across 16 countries. In an update on Monday, OCHA said that Chad, Niger, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are the most affected countries, accounting for 80 percent of the total number of people affected.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that around 80 per cent of Haiti’s capital is under the control or influence of gangs. In a report released Friday, OCHA warns the impact of armed violence on the population has reached unprecedented levels, with more than 5.2 million Haitian men, women and children - almost half the population - in need of humanitarian assistance.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that Palestinians in northern Gaza are experiencing extreme suffering as the Israeli siege of the area continues. OCHA says there are harrowing levels of death, injury and destruction in the north. Meanwhile, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) describe apocalyptic scenes as atrocities against civilians and attacks on hospitals intensify.
Humanitarian aid is a complex and multifaceted field involving a network of a wide range of international, regional and national actors, from international organizations and governments to non-governmental organizations and local partner organizations. Each of these actors has a specific role to play in responding to humanitarian crises, providing relief or supporting humanitarian operations.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns of a sharp decline in the humanitarian situation in El Fasher, the besieged capital of Sudan’s North Darfur State. OCHA reports that civilians in El Fasher continue to endure relentless attacks, acute hunger, and cholera. The population faces daily threats from shelling, airstrikes, and drone attacks — with fierce clashes reported in north-eastern districts of the state capital in recent weeks.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) expressed concern on Tuesday about a sharp increase in violence perpetrated by non-state armed groups (NSAGs) against civilians in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province, with tens of thousands forced to flee their homes. While some aid agencies have had to temporarily suspend relief activities due to insecurity, other humanitarian operations have been brought to a halt due to a severe lack of funding.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns again that the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar is deepening as conflict continues in many parts of the country and fighting escalates in Rakhine State. OCHA said on Friday that civilians continue to face extreme protection risks, acute food insecurity and a near total collapse of essential public services.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that UN agencies and other humanitarian organizations continue to scale up much-needed relief efforts in the Gaza Strip. In a statement on Thursday, OCHA reiterated that maintaining the ceasefire is "crucial to keep this life-saving work going," amid reports that the truce's continuation is threatened by reported disagreements over its implementation.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is warning that the situation for civilians in Sudan’s volatile Darfur region is worsening as fighting between the country’s two rival armed groups escalates and intercommunal tensions rise. OCHA reported Friday that renewed clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Darfur “have killed dozens of civilians and wounded many more; thousands have been displaced and civilian property has been destroyed or damaged.”
According to reports from the humanitarian office of the United Nations and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 50,000 people have been forced to flee in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province following escalating attacks by non-state armed groups (NSAGs) and heightened fear of violence. The province is the epicenter of an ongoing armed conflict, and internal displacement is prevalent.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says it has been getting increasing amounts of aid to the war-torn Tigray region in northern Ethiopia. But in its latest situation report, released Thursday, OCHA warned malnutrition rates are critical and alarmingly high, and despite a November peace deal between Ethiopia’s federal and Tigrayan authorities, the access to provide relief aid remains difficult in some areas.
