Zafar Mirza’s Post

How development aid, in particular health development, is applied and by whom has been a big debate for decades. Gates and Global Fund may not be the answer. Small may be better than behemoth agencies that dwarf the work of local NGOs, poach local workers and create massive paper work and reports. US Agency for International Development (USAID) plans to channel at least 25% of its funding through “local partners” by 2025. More needs to be done and that requires more funding cycles that create opportunities focused on local issues addressed by NGOs with local track records. Health is one big one. https://lnkd.in/gb9zP-Nh

Join our #gLOCAL2024 event on 5 June! FROM ROADBLOCKS TO ROADMAPS: NAVIGATING THE ENABLERS AND BARRIERS TO ADVANCING LOCALLY-LED AND COMMUNITY-ENGAGED EVALUATION IN HUMANITARIAN CONTEXTS Locally led monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and the meaningful engagement of communities in evaluations are important vehicles for greater accountability in humanitarian aid. However, humanitarian settings pose significant challenges to M&E, including difficulty in accessing populations affected by crises and the constant balance of resources versus priority actions, leaving little room for practitioners and organisations to advance and support locally-led and community-centred M&E practices. Through this session, Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action (ALNAP) and Humanitarian Advisory Group (HAG) will share the findings from their respective research on locally-led M&E and making evaluation findings accessible to communities (HAG, forthcoming). In particular, HAG and GLOW Consultants (Private) Limited will share findings of research into the current practices used by humanitarians and M&E practitioners to make the results of evaluation processes accessible to communities. Participants will come away with a deeper understanding of the enablers and barriers to locally-led M&E in humanitarian contexts and learn concrete steps to strengthen approaches to making evaluation findings accessible to communities. Speakers: Hana Abul Husn, Senior Research Officer, ALNAP Pamela Combinido, Leader, HAG Zaki Ullah, CEO, GLOW Consultants (Private) Limited Register for the event using either: https://lnkd.in/dt27URSz or https://bit.ly/3UCnPiR

Overlooked Challenges to Humanitarian Access! When considering obstacles to humanitarian access in conflict-affected regions/countries, external factors often dominate the discourse. However, institutional processes and systemic issues frequently create additional, yet often overlooked, barriers. A critical gap lies in the unclear delineation of decision-making responsibilities and accountability across various levels of access engagement. To achieve sustained and principled access, comprehensive and consistent engagement is imperative at multiple levels: 1.Strategic Engagement: High-level interactions with key stakeholders, including government officials, non-state armed groups (NSAGs), diaspora communities where they influences NSAGs in their respective country, humanitarian partners, and donors, are essential. Advocacy and diplomatic influence are crucial at this level. Ultimately, country directors bear the primary responsibility for these engagements, with the option to involve regional or global leadership when confronted with significant risks or strategic shifts. 2.Operational Engagement: Regular interactions between field office heads, area managers, or coordinators with regional state authorities and high-ranking NSAG- representatives are vital. These engagements must remain strictly focused on humanitarian purpose, devoid of political overtones, and executed by experienced personnel capable of effective interaction with NSAG leadership. Clear objectives and meticulous preparation are essential for successful operational engagement. 3.Technical Engagement: this requires a hybrid approach that involves security and access specialists, key program staff, supply chain and cooperating partners to carry out a coordinated frequent interactions with lower-level government officials, mid-ranking NSAG members, and community structures to negotiate principled and sustained access. It's important to remember that these stakeholders wield significant influence over humanitarian access and must be engaged consistently. fluidity in financial and procurement process and adaptable programming is key. To navigate complex operating environments effectively, humanitarian organizations must develop comprehensive guidelines for engaging with NSAGs. These guidelines should clearly outline criteria for determining when DIRECT or INDIRECT engagement is appropriate and establish a decision-making framework for such choices. #humanitarinaccess #principledaccess #lifesaving #accessengagments

🌍✨ Excited to share insights on Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) and its pivotal role in humanitarian assistance. 🚀In the dynamic landscape of humanitarian aid, ensuring that assistance reaches those in need effectively is paramount. Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) emerges as a powerful tool in this endeavor, enabling organizations to not only deliver aid but also to gauge its impact and adapt programs accordingly. 🔍 Importance of PDM Empowerment: PDM empowers local communities by involving them in the evaluation and assessment of aid programs, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs addressed. Accountability: It fosters transparency and accountability by providing a mechanism to track the distribution of aid and verify that it reaches intended beneficiaries. Adaptability: By collecting real-time feedback, PDM allows organizations to adapt and fine-tune their programs in response to changing circumstances and evolving needs on the ground. Quality Assurance: PDM ensures the quality and effectiveness of aid interventions by monitoring their implementation and impact, thus maximizing the benefit to the affected population. Sustainability: Through capacity building and community engagement, PDM promotes sustainability by empowering local stakeholders to take ownership of monitoring and evaluation processes. 🔑 Key Aspects to Consider in Conducting PDMs Community Engagement: Ensure active participation and representation from the affected community throughout the monitoring process. Clear Objectives and Indicators: Define clear objectives and establish measurable indicators to assess progress and outcomes. Data Collection Methods: Select appropriate methods sensitive to cultural norms, including surveys, interviews, and participatory techniques. Data Analysis and Interpretation: Employ robust analytical techniques to interpret data and derive actionable insights. Feedback Mechanisms: Establish effective feedback mechanisms to communicate findings and ensure accountability. Capacity Building: Invest in building the capacity of local partners and community members to participate in and own the monitoring process. Ethical Considerations: Ensure ethical conduct, respecting the rights and dignity of beneficiaries, and obtaining informed consent. Embracing PDM not only enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian assistance but also fosters a culture of collaboration, transparency, and accountability. Together, let's harness the power of PDM to create meaningful impact and support those in need around the world. #HumanitarianAssistance #MonitoringAndEvaluation #CommunityEngagement #ImpactEvaluation #Accountability #Empowerment

I completed the MEAL Essentials online course today, this course helped me understand how the MEAL sector usually works in humanitarian organizations in a deeper way. Understanding how each sector in a humanitarian organization works is crucial for several reasons: 1. Effective Coordination: Humanitarian efforts often involve multiple sectors such as health, water and sanitation, shelter, food and secuirity, and logistics. Knowing how each sector operates ensures better coordination and resource allocation, preventing overlaps and gaps in aid delivery. 2. Specialized Response: Each sector has its own expertise and methods. For example, health professionals focus on medical care, while logistics teams ensure the timely delivery of supplies. Understanding these specializations allows for a more targeted and efficient response to crises. 3. Improved Communication: Clear communication between sectors is essential for a unified response. Knowing the roles and responsibilities of each sector facilitates better information sharing and collaboration. 4. Accountability and Transparency: Understanding the workings of each sector helps in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of humanitarian interventions, ensuring accountability and transparency in the use of resources. By appreciating the unique contributions of each sector, humanitarian organizations can deliver more effective and efficient aid to those in need.

🌍 World Children’s Day: Supporting Children in Crisis On this global day of action for children, we are reminded of the need to prioritize support for children and families affected by #conflict. In #Ukraine, the ongoing #humanitarian crisis has displaced families and disrupted lives, leaving a profound mental and emotional toll on children. We draw attention, on World Children’s Day, to the experiences of 873 #education, #socialwork, and #health professionals and volunteers supporting children affected by the #humanitarian crisis to better understand and address these challenges. https://bit.ly/48ZH38P 🧠 Real-world experiences 👥 Peer learning in action, 💪 Empowerment of helpers This ‘Listening and Learning’ report is published by The Geneva Learning Foundation (TGLF), in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - IFRC and supported by the European Union’s #EU4Health programme. 📖 Learn more and access the report: https://bit.ly/48ZH38P #WorldChildrensDay #PFA #TGLF #IFRC #RedCross #ChildrenInCrisis #Ukraine #ListeningAndLearning #MHPSS #EU4Health

The Power of Partnerships in Humanitarian Efforts: Amplifying Impact Together In the realm of humanitarian services, the phrase "strength in numbers" has never rung truer. Partnerships and collaborations have become the driving force behind effective and sustainable humanitarian efforts. Why is working together so powerful? 1. Synergy of Strengths: Each organization brings unique strengths to the table - be it expertise, resources, or networks. When these strengths combine, we create a force multiplier, enhancing our ability to address complex humanitarian challenges. 2. Shared Resources and Knowledge: Pulling resources and sharing knowledge leads to innovative solutions. Collaboration allows for the exchange of best practices and success stories, empowering all participating entities to learn and grow continually. 3. Wider Reach and Inclusion: Collaborations can break down geographic barriers, ensuring aid reaches even the most remote and marginalized communities. Joint efforts engender trust and increase community engagement. 4. Enhanced Credibility and Support: When organizations join forces, they build a collective credibility that can attract funding, volunteers, and public support. This trust underpins the success of humanitarian missions, making it easier to get the necessary resources for impactful initiatives. 5. Adaptability and Resilience: Partnerships promote adaptability and resilience. Diverse teams can swiftly respond to emergencies with flexible strategies, continuously adapting to the changing scenarios on the ground. 6. Sustainable Impact Collaboration fosters sustainable impact. Engaging local organizations and communities ensures that initiatives are relevant and self-sustaining, long after initial efforts have concluded. One of the shining examples of successful collaboration in humanitarian services is the World Health Organization (WHO) that collaborates with numerous international and local health entities to combat global health crises, using the power of partnership in saving lives. The message is clear; by standing together, we amplify our impact, creating a more compassionate and responsive world. I am Amarachi Egeonu, the social impact advocate ❤️,I hope you got value from this. ♻️Feel free to repost. #UnitedForGood #HumanitarianEfforts #StrengthInNumbers #GlobalCollaboration #PartnershipPower #HumanityFirst #BetterTogether #SustainableImpact

Do join this session to learn about locally-led M&E!

Accountability to affected populations is fundamental to effective humanitarian efforts but remains a challenging goal to achieve fully. This document introduces the Collective Accountability to Affected People (AAP) Framework, a comprehensive approach that prioritizes incorporating the voices, needs, and aspirations of vulnerable communities into all stages of humanitarian programming. By focusing on practical strategies for implementation, it offers valuable guidance on how organizations can enhance their commitment to transparency and inclusivity. Based on extensive field research in Northwest Syria, the document examines the successes and obstacles of applying AAP principles in a highly complex humanitarian environment. It underscores the importance of leadership, collaboration, and localized partnerships in building trust and ensuring communities are engaged as active participants in decision-making. The findings stress the need to establish systems that uphold the dignity and agency of those affected. This resource provides actionable recommendations for humanitarian professionals seeking to strengthen their accountability mechanisms. By combining practical tools with reflective analysis, it encourages a shift toward more participatory and equitable responses. The insights presented offer a clear roadmap for organizations aiming to align their operations with the expectations and rights of the populations they serve.

🌏 💰 Read 'The Case for Cost Evidence' in the Stanford Social Innovation Review "The humanitarian sector needs more funding to meet devastating needs. But it could reach millions more people—with the resources currently available—if we focused on more cost-effective interventions and more cost-efficient delivery." Written by Airbel's Jeannie Annan and Justin Labeille, cost evidence has been at the heart of the International Rescue Committee's work for over a decade. This work has shown we can maximize each humanitarian dollar to reach even more people around the world. To date, we have conducted over 400 cost analyses across 37 countries to directly examine more than $300 million dollars of humanitarian spending. https://lnkd.in/eUyAJgYE