Dear Stephen As the first major natural disaster since the Grand Bargain, the Hurricane Matthew response in Haiti provides an opportunity for donors and agencies to deliver on their commitments and set a new direction in humanitarian response, demonstrating how the Grand Bargain can make a real difference on the ground to those in need. This response represents a crucial early test of our joint commitments, and if we fail to deliver it will be a setback to the credibility of the overall Grand Bargain effort. We also affirm that the Government of Haiti has the lead on the overall response, and that our efforts should seek to support and enable effective government leadership. It is crucial to see strong country level leadership by aid actors in Haiti, increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the overall response. We see a number of Grand Bargain commitments of particular relevance in this response, where we will seek to work with the UN and NGOs to improve performance and make a shift in approach to maximise efficiency and effectiveness. These are:  Improve joint and impartial needs assessments, coordination and a high quality prioritised appeal. We seek a single, impartial needs overview that is joined up across the humanitarian community. Whilst joint assessments are on-going with the Government we note some agencies are conducting their own needs assessments and we would appreciate information on whether such assessments are appropriately coordinated and harmonized. The current response strategy is not integrated and the appeal is not prioritised, in contrast to Grand Bargain commitments. The UN agencies have a leadership role in coordinating and strategizing the collective response effort.  More support and funding tools for local and national responders. We expect to see good collaboration between the UN and the Government of Haiti, supporting national coordination mechanisms where they exist and are viable; channelling funds through capable local NGOs, and engaging with local communities. Donors are already funding local responders through the IFRC, NGOs and their downstream partners.  Increase the use and coordination of cash-based programming. Cash is mentioned in the UN appeal which we welcome. We would ask all UN agencies to assess the market in Haiti to determine whether coordinated cash can be used, to deliver greater choice and empowerment to affected people. Donors are already supporting partners to deliver through cash, or planning to switch to cash/vouchers in the coming weeks as markets recover.  A participation revolution: include people receiving aid in making the decisions which affect their lives. We call on the UN to ensure engagement with affected communities, including women and girls, is reflected in programme planning and monitoring – to ensure interventions are relevant and effective. Donors are allocating funding to NGOs to support this. It is vital we all do more to meet this commitment. In the spirit of mutual accountability, we will of course be looking at maximising the effectiveness of our own collective response, including looking at streamlining reporting. We are open to looking collectively at mechanisms to increase flexibility, such as pooled funding but this will rest in part on an appeal that is grounded in joint needs assessments and meets the Grand Bargain standards. We would welcome an early discussion with IASC agencies and their implementing partners on first experiences with regard to donor commitments to the Grand Bargain in the current response. We are keen to ensure a step up in the overall international response, to meet the new higher standard post World Humanitarian Summit. In due course, an independent evaluation may assist in ensuring we make Grand Bargain commitments a reality. Yours sincerely, Sarah Fountain Smith, Assistant Deputy Minister, Global Issues and Development Branch, Global Affairs Canada Monique Pariat, Director General, Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, ECHO Nick Dyer, Director General, Policy and Global Programmes, UK Department for International Development Anne C. Richard, Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees and Migration, US Department of State Greg Gottlieb, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator, USAID/DCHA