2010 will be remembered for the enormous natural disasters that struck Haiti and Pakistan.  The scale of these emergencies shocked the world, and present exceptional challenges to the humanitarian community.Humanitarian NGOs continue to be in the frontline of response to these crises.  Their experiences not only reflect the extreme proportions of such disasters, but the challenges inherent in the current state of the humanitarian system. Given that NGOs are the major deliverers of humanitarian aid worldwide, the reality of their experiences should be used to inform EU policy debate.On the eve of the ECHO Annual Partners Conference, this panel discussion will elaborate learnings from NGO operational experience in the light of current developments in EU policy relevant to humanitarian aid.   Inputs from keynote speakers will be followed by an open floor discussion.   A wide participation is invited for this event, which will be followed by a networking reception.Speakers:Geert Vansintjan - Head of Humanitarian Aid Unit, Belgian presidencySandrine Chopin - Paris Delegate, Handicap International and President of the Humanitarian Commission of Coordination Sud (French NGO platform)Dominic Crowley - Head of Emergency Unit, Concern WorldwideJan Weuts- Emergency Aid Coordinator, Caritas BelgiumMike Young- Regional Director Asia, Caucasus and Middle East, IRC-UKKathrin Schick- Director, VOICE (Moderator) Please register by fax (+32-2-534.99.53) or by e-mail by 15 October 2010, indicating your name, job title, organisation and email address. Please also indicate whether you will attend the reception.