Humanitarian

3ie supported seven impact evaluations under this program that provided rigorous evidence to improve the quality of life of people living in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. These impact evaluations examined important questions related to nutrition; food security; resilience; water, sanitation and hygiene; and multi-sectoral humanitarian programming. We expect these studies to answer priority questions on effective and efficient ways to deliver humanitarian programming to improve recovery and build resilience of vulnerable and crises-affected populations.

Humanitarian
Spotlight | Impact evaluation

3ie-supported study wins the Best of UNICEF Research 2019 Award

The 3ie-supported impact evaluation on the effects of humanitarian assistance provided to internally-displaced people in DRC was one of three studies awarded the Best of UNICEF Research 2019. It showed that provision of essential household items through vouchers caused substantial improvement in adult mental health and well-being. The award panel commended the research team for its commitment to quality and the creative solutions adopted to overcome implementation obstacles in a complex humanitarian setting. This evaluation was co-supported by UNOCHA DRC Humanitarian Pooled Fund and UNICEF DRC.

humanitarian
Spotlight | Flyer

Partner with us: humanitarian evidence

3ie has more than a decade of experience in disaster-stricken, fragile and conflict-affected countries. We welcome collaboration with organizations working to increase the production and use of high-quality evidence and improve how humanitarian assistance is designed and delivered. 

humanitarian
Spotlight | Brief

What works to improve nutrition and food security in the Sahel?

This paper synthesizes findings from 3ie-supported impact evaluations of programs implemented by the World Food Programme to prevent and treat moderate acute malnutrition and improve food security in four countries in the Sahel region. WFP presented the studies and the synthesis at the executive board meeting and organized webinars to share the lessons and findings. According to a management response to the synthesis, WFP is using the synthesized findings to validate its global nutrition policy (2017-21) and improve operational strategies in the Sahel and globally.  

Overview

In 2014, 3ie, with the support of UK aid and USAID, launched the humanitarian assistance grant-making program to increase the stock of high-quality, policy-relevant evidence in the humanitarian sector.

To develop and ensure the relevance of this program, 3ie, in collaboration with these donors, hosted a consultative event in 2015 to discuss the scope of the program and the evidence gaps that exist. At the event, we presented findings from a scoping paper and a methodology working paper that identified innovative methods of measuring impact in humanitarian conditions.

As part of this program, 3ie supported high-quality impact evaluations and systematic reviews to improve evidence on community-driven reconstruction; peace-building programs; cash-based humanitarian interventions; and water, sanitation and hygiene initiatives, among several others. Funding for this program was provided by UNOCHA-Common Humanitarian Pooled Fund in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Danida and the World Food Programme.

Why more evidence is needed

UNOCHA had predicted that in 2018 over 135 million people globally will need humanitarian assistance and protection. Despite the large number of people in need of assistance, little evidence existed on the effectiveness of aid interventions in challenging humanitarian environments. Two evidence gap maps and a 3ie scoping study highlighted the lack of high-quality studies that show the causal relationship between assistance and changes in targeted results.

Latest publication

Synthesis of evidence on nutrition programs in the Sahel

This paper synthesizes findings from 3ie-supported impact evaluations of programs implemented by the World Food Programme to prevent and treat moderate acute malnutrition and improve food security in four countries in the Sahel region. WFP has presented the studies and the synthesis at the executive board meeting and is organizing webinars to share the lessons and findings. According to a management response to the synthesis, WFP is using the synthesized findings to validate its global nutrition policy (2017-21) and improve operational strategies in the Sahel and globally.  

View synthesis paper | View synthesis brief

 

For more information, please write to info@3ieimpact.org. To receive alerts about call for proposals, please sign up here.

How to use innovative methods for humanitarian evaluations

The number of people in need of aid is growing rapidly as protracted crises, conflicts and climate-related hazards around the globe continue to rise. To meet these growing needs, humanitarian agencies will have to be more effective when delivering assistance and protection in complex and diverse emergencies. Having quality evidence about what works, for whom, how, and at what cost is crucial, but too often a missing component in efforts to improve aid effectiveness. In this how-to video, evaluation specialist Tara Kaul highlights some lessons we have learned in supporting the generation of useful and timely evidence in fragile and conflict affected humanitarian settings.