December 2009
Following the global launch of the 2009 Humanitarian Response Index in Washington DC on 10 November, DARA is organizing a special debate and interactive presentation of this year's ranking and findings in Madrid on December 3.

©DARA, 2009.

Leading UN and NGO representatives, as well as journalists, will analyze how to best overcome the barriers the humanitarian system faces when responding to crises and natural disasters.

The event will consist of interactive audience contributions, led by Cuatro TV journalist Olga Rodríguez, and a panel discussion featuring:

• Ross Mountain, Former Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for the DRC
• Aldo Ajello, Former European Union Special Representative in the Great Lakes Region
• Silvia Hidalgo, Executive Director of DARA
• Ramón Lobo, El País journalist
• Marta Arias, UNICEF Spain Advocacy Director 

The debate will look at how humanitarian organisations can respond more effectively to disaster and conflict amidst increasingly limited humanitarian access, global financial turmoil and the proliferation of natural disasters and violent conflicts.

Last year 230 natural disasters and 39 conflicts affected more than 250 million people worldwide. That same year, 260 humanitarian workers were killed, kidnapped or seriously injured, the highest toll on record.

Place: Caixa Forum, Paseo del Prado 36, 28014 – Madrid
Date: Thursday December 3
Time: 11:30 am