CARE International in the Balkans made a commendable effort to respond to the floods in mid-May 2014 despite recent heavy down-sizing of the CO structure and ongoing re-orientation of the operational model to a ‘lite’ footprint and partnership-centred model. For the analysis of key issues and the formulation of recommendations the report takes into account: findings from document review, staff interviews, field meetings (1 ½ days) and self-assessment (½ day) against HAF benchmarks and targets; findings and recommendations from CARE and partners’ staff based on potential emergency scenarios (½ day).