A/RES/51/194 Page 5 collection and reporting, situation analyses, needs assessment, monitoring and tracking of resources, in order to ensure an effective and timely response; (b) Clearer arrangements are made for system-wide evaluation, that the lessons learned from evaluation exercises are systematically applied at the operational level and that joint evaluation criteria are developed for humanitarian and disaster relief operations at the planning stage; 16. Urges all operational agencies of the United Nations system to collaborate fully with the Department of Humanitarian Affairs, particularly in the early phase of an emergency, inter alia, by providing the Department with sufficient support in terms of human and logistical assets, to enable it to enhance coordination and the rapid-response capability of the system as a whole; 17. Stresses the critical need to create a sound and predictable financial basis for the Department of Humanitarian Affairs to enable it to carry out fully its mandate, and encourages the Secretary-General to continue to explore all possible options to achieve that goal. 87th plenary meeting 17 December 1996