Sara Pantuliano, Managing Director at the Overseas Development Institute, said: 'The commitments made at the Summit have fallen short in substance and ambition and there is little clarity about how pledges that have been made will be taken forward and turned into reality.

'There have been exciting initiatives launched on the fringes, but it has been a missed opportunity to tackle the major problems at the heart of the formal humanitarian system. 

'With all the talk about putting people at the centre of humanitarian action, there has been little to suggest the main players will put aside their institutional interests for those of people struggling to survive in crises.

'However, the summit has delivered a number of positive announcements and initiatives, including the creation of Southern and Regional aid networks, partnerships with the private sector on insurance, logistics and technology, more sustained investment in chronic crises and commitments to giving people cash, not goods.'

ENDS

For more information, or to arrange an interview with an expert at the summit please contact James Rush on +44 (0)7808 791265 or Tania Cheung on +44 (0)7342 994 515