As the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile and the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan make clear, humanitarian crises, whether natural or manmade, spark international responses that are immediate and high-impact.

Governments, corporations and philanthropic institutions each play different roles in carrying out relief and rebuilding efforts. New organizations operating with new models are evolving to play important roles. Collaboration among sectors is crucial to alleviating human suffering and restoring a sense of normalcy and dignity. But, ensuring complementary action by multiple parties can be challenging, especially when disaster zones lack basic communication and transportation infrastructure.

Through panel discussions and a keynote address, the Global Forum Focus Series will seek to answer questions such as: