The purpose of the evaluation is to describe and assess the performance of Norwegian Red Cross actions, and the role of the agency as a channel of support to humanitarian operations. In its efforts to alleviate suffering, advance peace, human rights and democracy, the Norwegian Government has established a sustained relationship with the Norwegian Red Cross based on a flow of funding and reporting. This relies on key assumptions about the operations, and their links to those of partners. This report aims to highlight the factors affecting Red Cross humanitarian aid performance, and ways in which they can be improved. The evaluation approach is to compare NRC practice with emerging best practice among other emergency aid actors, as well as consistency with policy aims, be they of the Ministry and the NRC, or those of the Red Cross Movement. The information comes from a review of documents, extensive interviews in Oslo and Geneva, and a detailed assessment in four countries: the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Province of Kosovo), Rwanda, Bosnia- Herzegovina, and India. The analysis was carried out between May and September 2001.