The report focuses on criteria for allocation of humanitarian assistance. It analyses major Norwegian NGOs (Norwegian Red Cross, Norwegian People's Aid, Norwegian Church Aid, Norwegian Refugee Council and Save the Children Foundation) and their selection of emergency situations to get involved in. It is argued that the selection criteria applied may be either explicit or implicit. Organisational goals appear to play an important role as implicit criteria. Also examined is the role of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the mass media in setting the parameters and constraints for the NGO's choices. The decision-making processes of aid allocation to alleviate the crises in Angola, Liberia, Somalia and Rwanda are offered as examples.

Recent CMI publications: