Drawing on case studies from Ethiopia, Sudan, Chad, Mali and Kenya (focusing on Turkana district) during the drought years of 1990-91, this book investigates why early warning signals were not translated into timely intervention. It examines, for the first time, the role of early warning information in decision-making processes, particularly within key donor agencies. The book concludes with practical policy recommendations, on who 'owns' early warning information, how it is used and looks at how to speed up the logistics of emergency relief.