In the late 1960's and early 1970's, several major disasters occurred in rapid succession. The most devastating of them was no doubt the earthquake in Peru in 1970, which claimed some 50,000 lives and caused untold damage and destruction in that country.

Experience in these, and indeed in other disasters, made it clear that much of the generous aid provided by the international community in the wake of these disasters was, in the absence of co-ordination, often wasted or did not correspond to the real needs of victims. Enormous quantities of goods, some of them quite unsuitable, would pour in, together with countless well-meaning individuals wishing to help. Unfortunately, many of them were more hindrance than help. Obviously, some order had to be created to rectify this haphazard approach, and to ensure that relief supplies of the right kind and in appropriate quantities would reach the survivors rapidly to cover their basic and most urgent requirements during the emergency period.