The Department for International Development has spent disproportionate amounts of money tackling headline-grabbing humanitarian disasters in Europe, according to parliament's spending watchdog.

A report published by the National Audit Office found that, as with other aid donors, the UK has been guilty of spending money where media interest is highest, rather than where it could be spent most effectively.

The NAO noted that since 1997 the per capita level of humanitarian assistance that DfID has provided in European emergencies, such as Kosovo, has been five times higher than for emergencies in Africa.

"At times, this may reflect a bias of resource distribution to emergencies where media, public and parliamentary interest is highest - an issue faced by other donor agencies," said the watchdog.

The report also called for the department to do more to measure and evaluate the success of its humanitarian work in order to learn lessons for the future.

It concluded that "because there is no comprehensive and systematic way of assessing and measuring humanitarian need around the world, DfID cannot determine whether its level of response to particular emergencies is appropriate and whether it is targeting its assistance at those most in need".

But there was praise for the effectiveness of the department in responding "quickly and, in general, effectively" to humanitarian emergencies.

The NAO said that such disasters are becoming more common, with the annual total rising from 300 to 400 in the early 1990s to between 700 and 800 since 1999.

But according to the report, DfID's evaluation of its performance in dealing with emergencies is limited.

"Its strategy papers for some emergencies give little insight into why proposed interventions would be effective or cost-effective, thereby reducing the basis for good subsequent monitoring and evaluation," the NAO found.

And with the department often required to provide humanitarian assistance alongside military interventions, as seen in Iraq, the report highlighted room for improved communication and coordination with the Ministry of Defence.

"Disasters, both natural and man-made, are occurring much more frequently around the world," said NAO chief Sir John Bourn.

"The Department for International Development is a leading player in the response to such emergencies and its provision of help in the aftermath of suddenly occurring disasters is widely recognised by other donors and organisations.

"The department should, however, take steps to improve the targeting, monitoring and evaluation of the assistance it provides."

Shadow international development minister Caroline Spelman said the report was further evidence that the government is "failing Africa".

"This has exposed yet another way in which DfID continues to fail the people of Africa," she said.

"Not only is the government providing five times as much aid for the victims of disaster in Europe than for those in Africa but DFID lacks effective strategies for integrating relief and development over the long term.

"The government has slashed budgets of middle income countries in order to meet our obligations in Iraq. This means that 140 million people living in poverty may be left without the vital support DfID currently provides.

"Today's report from NAO sends a message that DfID clearly favours Europe above Africa. Africa needs real and proper solutions to tackle its fundamental problems. Only then can it move forward."