In May 2016, the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul will convene to consider the challenges facing national and international humanitarian response. This occurs against the backdrop of global forced migration having reached a level not seen since World War II. Relief efforts are stretched, effectiveness is patchy, and the costs place an increasingly heavy strain on not only humanitarian organizations but global development as a whole. While conflict currently drives about 80 percent of forced displacement, pressures from climate change will surely further exacerbate this crisis. The Council recognizes the broad spectrum of humanitarian issues and long-term challenges that need to be addressed and applauds the international community for advancing this process at the World Humanitarian Summit. Issues like financing, better protecting civilians on the ground, and more closely linking relief and long-term development are all vital. Consistent with the current scope of our work, the recommendations put forward in this note focus more narrowly on two particular challenges: the special needs of girls as refugees and IDPs, and how best to leverage greater private sector engagement in humanitarian relief efforts.
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