HPN exists to improve humanitarian policy and practice by sharing information among policy-makers and practitioners on current debates and initiatives, stimulating critical reflection and debate, and promoting learning and good practice.
The network is run as part of the Humanitarian Policy Group at the Overseas Development Institute (ODI: see separate entry). It has a fast-growing membership (currently about 1600) from international and national NGOs, UN agencies, government and donors, universities and consultants in about 80 countries).
The HPN provides analysis and guidance for humanitarian practice, as well as summary information on relevant policy and institutional developments in the humanitarian sectors. This is done through:
- Publishing: Good Practice Reviews, Network Papers, Humanitarian Exchange magazine
- resource website
- Collaborating with partner networks worldwide
- occasional seminars on topical issues
WWW site has extensive information about the network, its publications, a directory (with abstracts and links) of information sources on the Internet relating to humanitarian action and a list of network members.