Speaking at ODI on 15th December 2004, Secretary of State for International Development, Hilary Benn, called for radical changes to the international humanitarian system so it can respond faster and more effectively to emergencies like the current crisis in Darfur.

Hilary Benn pledged £100 million of UK aid to kick-start a proposed new $1 billion a year humanitarian fund to be held and administered by the UN. This would provide advance funds for instant deployment in emergencies, rather than waiting for individual appeals to donors in each case.