Italian Development Cooperation provides humanitarian assistance to victims of catastrophic events (natural or manmade), in order to safeguard human life, relieve suffering and maintain human dignity. Italy is committed to providing a response that is rapid and effective and satisfies local needs, following the three steps of humanitarian aid: **priority need** (relief); **emergency** (recovery and rehabilitation); **post-emergency** (linking relief and rehabilitation to development).

Humanitarian aid focuses on those sectors identified as critical for survival and improvement of basic living conditions, such as food security, access to water, disaster risk reduction, protection of refugees and displaced persons. Equally important are issues such as gender mainstreaming and the protection of vulnerable groups (children and people with disabilities). We approved the “2012 Guidelines on Humanitarian Aid”, in the framework of the **Operating plan for aid effectiveness** drafted in coordination with other Italian humanitarian actors. The guidelines are based on the internationally recognized principles of **Good Humanitarian Donorship** on humanitarian action.

• OpenAID ITALIA
• Objectives and Priorities
• Emergency and humanitarian aid
• Sistema Italia
• Best practices
• The international context