Since its foundation in 1997, ALNAP has consistently highlighted the relationship between humanitarian agencies and affected populations as critical to improving both the accountability and performance of the sector. Against a background of increasing concern over the lack of ‘consultation with and participation by affected populations in the planning, management, monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian action’ (hereafter referred to as ‘participation’), ALNAP has so far commissioned 3 literature reviews on the subject (of the Spanish, French and English literature), 6 country monographs on consultation with and participation by affected populations in humanitarian action, and a Draft Practitioner’s Handbook, published by ALNAP in late 2003. These products together comprise the ALNAP Global Study (2003).