Humanitarian action provides a safety net to stabilise populations in crisis. It paves the way for post-crisis recovery processes and protects previous development investments anticipating crises and putting in place crisis mitigation and preparedness measures. Humanitarian need drives frontline humanitarian action at the onset of a crisis. However, disasters are rarely isolated or unpredictable events. Many communities live under constant threat of conflict or natural disaster. The vulnerability of crisis-prone communities has stimulated donors and implementing agencies to re-examine the processes through which needs are assessed and assistance is disbursed, as well as the role of humanitarian agencies in providing civilian protection. Vulnerability and risk have therefore become drivers for humanitarian action over the longer term. Moreover, recognition that the longerterm vulnerability of marginalised, stakeholder groups (including women) can be reduced through their participation in key humanitarian decision-making processes has generated interest in participatory processes across the humanitarian sector.