Evidence-based approaches to Humanitarian Aid The Irish Aid Experience

What is Evidence-based Humanitarian Aid? No agreed definition but generally understood as…  The application of current best evidence/practice to strengthen the appropriateness, effectiveness and impact of humanitarian assistance.  Requires strengthening the link between research, policy and practice.  Requires a Results Based Approach.  Requires cooperation, coordination and political will.

Information sources Irish Aid uses to guide funding allocations… CAP UN Assessment Reports NGO Assessment Reports CRED EU Vulnerability Index Global Hunger Index UNICEF MIC

Irish Aid Appraisal Process… Partner expertise, competency, experience Targeting – reaching the most vulnerable Baseline Information – needs assessment Beneficiary Consultation CoordinationResults focus Adherence to Standards Strengthening local capacities Cross cutting issues Financial oversight

Irish Aid’s role in on-going strengthening of the Evidence-base Innovation and piloting Improved Processes and Practices Capacity Strengthening Learning and Quality Irish Aid supporting…

Challenges… Acknowledge evidence-based approaches are both under-developed but also a new area of focus for all Lesson learning from ‘mega-emergencies’ – the TEC, Haiti but challenge to integrate Learning from evaluations Building research seamlessly to decision- making

Challenges ctd. Institutional challenges – DRR, LRRD, Horn of Africa, the ‘development agenda’ Pulling together to deliver credible and timely data versus the pressures to compete The time pressures unique to humanitarian response – how does this argue for a different approach? Risk: ‘Evidence based decision making’ could become an impediment to innovation or neglect of neglect of issues such as protection and dignity because they are difficult to measure

Horn of Africa Brief case study Early warning Start from national capacity – focus of our country programmes – resilience, social safety nets, cash transfers - flexibility More integrated country strategy planning with humanitarian input National NGOs – work of ENN, Concern, Valid on CMAM – early 2000s – Local producers - Plumpynut HPP process and EPPR support to DRR and building resilience but only possible so far – Govt partners

…but still challenges here Still a ‘sudden onset’ phase to be responded to and evidence weak there Also need to build in more humanitarian impact assessments – ALNAP – Malawi, Haiti pilots Positives – staged response which enables us to prioritise initial emergency interventions but parallel efforts on sectoral priorities eg GBV

The broader Dimension International Context – work of others ongoing Not just an Irish challenge A DEC approach? How Irish Aid links in with these international initiatives– locating our support at the broader level

Thanks for your attention Any questions?