"The Handbook for Applying the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement was reviewed by UN agencies and NGOs at a meeting at the UN in April 1999. It was decided that the UN would publish and disseminate it together with the Manual on Field Practice in Internal Displacement. The two volumes complement one another and together provide a sound basis for undertaking protection and assistance activities on behalf of internally displaced persons. It is my hope that this Handbook will be widely used by field staff working with internally displaced populations. It can raise awareness to the needs of the internally displaced, measure conditions on the ground, train staff in working with the displaced, and promote compliance by governments and nonstate actors with the provisions of the Guiding Principles. It also can help displaced communities better understand their rights and the responsibilities of governments and non-state actors toward them..." Francis M. Deng Representative of the Secretary-General on Internally Displaced Persons.