Bulletin on International Humanitarian News, Events and Publications
(2007:5, May)
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BRCS International Monthly Seminar Programme
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15th May 2007, 2-5pm, Lecture Theatre
Monitoring & Evaluation Workshop
This informal workshop will be based in part on INTRAC's Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation course and so will include a review of the fundamentals of monitoring and evaluation. It is also an opportunity to share our own monitoring and evaluation knowledge and experience and to discuss the resources we have and tools we use.
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Forthcoming seminars and workshops:
17th May 2007, 1-2pm Lecture Theatre
**Andrew Simms Lecture postponed** - watch this space for alternative event!
31st May 2007, 1-2pm Lecture Theatre
Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment - a tool for the RC - Terry Cannon, University of Greenwich
June/July 2007 (date and time tbc)
The Humanitarian Impact of Climate Change - Andrew Simms, New Economics Foundation
Suggestions for topics and speakers for future seminars are very welcome - please contact Laura Walker, HPP Team Coordinator (x7533).
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NEWS
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2006 DISASTER FIGURES RELEASED
CRED, The Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, has just released its figures for 2006. As the most reliable source of disaster data worldwide, it presents 2006 as the return of a kind of "normality" after recent years of catastrophic events. Normal or not, more than 23 000 people were killed, 143 million estimated to be affected and 34.6 billion US dollars the economic loss. Floods and windstorms continue to be the most economically costly disasters, and floods are on continuous rise during the last fifty years. Surprisingly, four European countries are found on the global top-ten list of deaths, namely Belgium, France and Netherlands (heatwave) and Ukraine (coldwave), probably in the first three cases because of good reporting on excessive deaths in extreme weather situations, based on learning from the 2003 heatwave.
http://www.cred.be
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UN OCHA launches appeal to strengthen humanitarian response capacity
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is today launching a $62.5 million inter-agency Appeal for Building Global Humanitarian Response Capacity in eleven sectors: agriculture, camp coordination and camp management, early recovery, education, emergency shelter, emergency telecommunications, health, logistics, nutrition, protection, and water, sanitation and hygiene. The appeal follows a comprehensive analysis of the international response to emergencies. It is part of an ambitious humanitarian reform agenda agreed in 2005. Partners in the global capacity-building exercise include United Nations (UN) agencies, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Activities included in the appeal cover global-level capacity-building in three main areas: building rosters of expert staff for rapid deployment; ensuring adequate commonly-accessible stockpiles at the global level; and developing common standards, systems, and tools for international emergency response.
Full press release available online at http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/EGUA-72LM6Q?OpenDocument
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Audio recording and speaking notes from recent ODI event 'The Limits of Humanitarianism' now available online
At this ALNAP and ODI event (27.03.07), Hugo Slim and Tony Vaux presented and discussed the chapters they wrote for this year's ALNAP Review of Humanitarian Action. As Randolph Kent, the Director of the Humanitarian Futures Programme, wrote in his endorsement of the Review, 'the contributors to this year's edition proffer perspectives and recommendations that humanitarian organisations ignore at their peril.'
http://www.odi.org.uk/speeches/alnapRHA_mar07/
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Audio and note from the launch of Austen Davis' 'Concerning accountability in Humanitarian Action' (HPG Network Paper 58) now available online
One of the most frequently heard criticisms of humanitarian action is that it is unaccountable and unregulated. At this event, which we reported on in an earlier Bulletin (2007:3), Austen Davis asks whether schemes designed to improve accountability really are the solution to the problems humanitarianism faces today and proposes a more productive route for reform.
http://www.odihpn.org/documents/NP58launchreport.pdf
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DFID and FCO should merge? Audio and documents from 'Does foreign aid really work' event now available online
At this recent ODI/OUP event Sir Mike Aaronson, former director of the Save the Children Fund, controversially suggested that DFID should be merged back into the FCO. Listen to full audio and read related documents online at the ODI site.
http://www.odi.org.uk/events/foreignaid_april07/
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TEC Synthesis Report Expanded Summary now available
As with the full Synthesis Report, this summary clearly describes the tsunami context and the disaster response. Its main focus, however, is on the four key recommendations of the Synthesis Report and some of the practical implications of taking these forward. In comparison with the full 175-page Synthesis, the language and contents of this report have been simplified, and the figures and photographs increase its accessibility as well as create a useful reference guide.
If you would like copies of this report let Laura Walker know (x7533) and I will order some from ODI. Otherwise available online at http://www.tsunami-evaluation.org/NR/rdonlyres/32424F75-2C95-41BB-8D22-FA6867C67A96/0/Syn_Report_Sum.pdf
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THE 12TH GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE
4th TO 16th JUNE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON UNION IN MALLET STREET, WC1. (repeated in November)
Over the last 4 years over 200 people have taken part in this short, very intensive and effective introduction to the issues that confront the Third World. The course consists of a total of 12 session of 2 hours each, concentrating in turn on finance, health, education, international aid and the UN system, trade, migration and refugees, and so on.
Personnel from all the major development agencies, including OXFAM, ActionAid, Save the Children Fund, CAFOD, Christian Aid, WaterAid, the House of Commons, and many others have attended over the years. It has also been attended by people contemplating a higher degree in one of the relevant fields of work and from teachers of geography and economics. The speakers are all highly qualified with current fieldwork experience.
http://www.ethical-events.org/gdc
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On the ODI blogs this week: Is Sir Mike Aaronson right to call for DFID to be merged back into the FCO?
Simon Maxwell, ODI director, notes that participants at the launch of Roger Riddell's new book, 'Does Foreign Aid Really Work?' at ODI last week were surprised to hear Sir Mike Aaronson, former director of the Save the Children Fund, suggest that DFID should be merged back into the FCO.
http://blogs.odi.org.uk/blogs/main/archive/2007/05/03/2531.aspx
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ahe Limits of Humanitaria
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
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Civilian protection and humanitarian advocacy: Strategies and dilemmas
Wednesday 23 May, 1.00-2.30PM
ODI, 111 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7JD
Humanitarian actors increasingly construe their role not just as relief providers, but as advocates for the victims of crises. Reflecting in part a greater integration between political and humanitarian agendas, this development exposes divergent views of humanitarianism and involves complex choices for operational humanitarian actors. The work of humanitarian actors in protection is frequently contingent on their ability to influence military and political actors, both local and international. However, advocacy - at least in its more public and denunciatory forms - has potentially serious negative implications for operational aid organisations, most notably in relation to access and staff security. Drawing on examples from field settings, this meeting will examine advocacy undertaken by humanitarian organisations to promote civilian welfare and security and its implication for other programming.
Chair: Sorcha O'Callaghan, Research Officer, Humanitarian Policy Group, ODI
Speakers: Marc DuBois, Head of Humanitarian Affairs, MSF-Holland; Edmund Cairns, Senior Policy Adviser (Research), Oxfam GB; and Prof Hazel Smith, Department of International Relations, University of Warwick
To attend contact meetings@odi.org.uk
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Workshop: The Link between HIV and AIDS and Food Insecurity: Exploring the Evidence
run by CARE International, ODI and Concern Worldwide UK
ODI, 25th May 2007
We have organised this workshop to provide an opportunity for NGO practitioners, research institutions, advocates and policy makers to explore the links between HIV and AIDS and Food Security. The objectives of the meeting include the following:
-To share knowledge, ideas and experiences on practical implementation of interventions tackling Food Security and HIV and AIDS as interrelated issues.
- To explore potential research questions and possible research methodologies
- To discuss ways of strengthening the debate and action on food security and HIV and AIDS
To confirm your participation, please contact s.wooldridge@odi.org.uk. Please bear in mind that seats are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
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MSF DISCUSSION EVENINGS 2007
The Castle Pub at Farringdon, London
THE INTEGRATION AGENDA: COHERENCE OR CO-OPTION?
Tuesday 29 May, 6:30 to 8:30pm
The logic of coherence is driving the agenda of the UN and of main donors and members of the Security Council. By coordinating efforts of political, military and humanitarian agencies they expect to improve the effectiveness of the aid provided. Tonight's discussion will analyse this new agenda and measure its importance in international politics today. We will look at the potential advantages and disadvantages of such an approach, particularly for the humanitarian world.
Facilitator: Paul Harvey, Research Fellow, Humanitarian Policy Group, Overseas Development Institute.
Speakers: Fabrice Weissman, Researcher, MSF France; Jamie McGoldrick, OCHA (to be confirmed); Katy Attfield, Senior Civil Military Advisor, Department for International Development (DFID).
Please note that numbers are limited. It is recommended that you register your attendance at any of these events through the following link: http://www.uk2.msf.org/discussionevenings2007
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Book Launch: A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
Ishmael Beah, author and Sorious Samura, journalist & film-maker
Wednesday May 30th, 6.30pmm Brunei Suite, SOAS, Russell Square, WC1H
'A Long Way Gone is one of the most important war stories of our generation. We ignore its message at our peril' Sebastian Junger.
Ishmael Beah, now 25 years old, was 12 and in his homeland of Sierra Leone when he fled attacking rebels and wandered a land rendered unrecognizable by violence. By thirteen, he'd been picked up by the government army and had become one of the estimated 300,000 child soldiers in the 50 current conflicts worldwide. Ishmael Beah came to the United States when he was seventeen and graduated from Oberlin College in 2004. He is a member of the Human Rights Watch Children's Rights Division Advisory Committee and has spoken before the United Nations on several occasions. He lives in New York City. Followed by a reception.
RSVP to ras_resesarch@soas.ac.uk
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IRC-UK 2007 ANNUAL LECTURE - THE POLITICS OF HUMANITARIANISM AFTER IRAQ
SIR MARK MALLOCH BROWN KCMG - Former Deputy Secretary General, United Nations
Monday 25 June, 2007 at 7.00pm at The Royal Geographical Society
All proceeds will go towards IRC-UK's work worldwide with those affected or displaced by conflict and violence.
For information or to book tickets please call IRC-UK on 020 7692 2737, or email events@ircuk.org
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PUBLICATIONS
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NB If you would like hard copies of any of the larger downloadable publications featured here, please request them from Laura Walker, who will arrange for a library copy to be printed and dispatched to you.
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Joint Theme Issue of Development Policy Review and Disasters: Cash Transfers
In a unique initiative Development Policy Review and Disasters have published simultaneous theme issues on cash transfers. The issues consider the political, financial and operational challenges associated with increased use of cash for governments, donors and NGOs. Development Policy Review, guest edited by John Farrington and Rachel Slater, considers growing experience with cash transfers in development in Africa and Asia and draws on lessons learned from the implementation of cash transfer schemes in Latin America. The Disasters part-theme issue, edited by Paul Harvey, explores recent experience with cash transfers in emergencies, including the Asian tsunami and post-conflict scenarios, and shows that cash transfers can be implemented rapidly and at scale.
Free articles and contents details available online at http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=0361-3666%20
Both journals available from the BRC Library (contact Bridget Andrews for more information).
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IASC Interim Self-Assessment of Implementation of the Cluster Approach in the Field
During the IASC Working Group in July 2006, OCHA was requested "to lead a process to evaluate the cluster approach in the pilot countries."Given that field implementation had been delayed for a number of reasons, including lack of guidance and funding, it was felt that an interim self-assessment, rather than an evaluation (internal or external) would be more appropriate at this point in time.
The Interim Self-Assessment is a progress report and is not intended to be a comprehensive evaluation of the cluster approach. Such an evaluation is expected to take place in late 2007. The Self-Assessment is intended to highlight main trends, themes and lessons from field experience, in order to inform IASC Working Group and Principals'discussions about the implementation of the cluster approach in the coming year.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/lib.nsf/db900SID/JBRN-72ZKTQ/$FILE/IASC_humanitarianreform_nov06.pdf
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Journal of Humanitarian Assistance Redesigned, Relaunched
JHA offers the humanitarian assistance community the opportunity to receive and provide rapid public feedback on cutting-edge ideas. This community includes humanitarian field workers and agency officials, scholars and researchers, government officials and residents of countries affected by crises and disasters, and donor agency officials. Though papers are not peer-reviewed before publication, the site allows and indeed encourages readers to comment immediately and publicly on each piece.
Since the relaunch, four new papers have been published:
* "Political Complexities of Humanitarian Intervention in the Pakistan Earthquake" - Bamforth & Qureshi
* "International Organisations in Mindanao: To Protect or Not?" - Chaulia
* "Social-networking web systems: Opportunities for humanitarian information management" - Ziesche
* "UNHCR Policy and Practice: Confronting Calls for Change" - Cochrane
All available online at http://www.jha.ac.
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Changing aid delivery and the environment by Neil Bird and Lidia Cabral, ODI Briefing Paper, March 2007.
Aid delivery has been transformed in recent years, with a progressive shift from project support to more upstream mechanisms - the so-called 'programmatic' approaches. At the same time there has been a relative decline in donor spending on the environment, and a reduction in the use of environmental advisers in country. This Paper examines how environmental objectives are pursued by donors in a context where aid delivery mechanisms are changing. http://www.odi.org.uk/publications/redirect/2.html
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NEW PUBLICATIONS in the BRCS LIBRARY
Pick these up at the library (6th floor) or by contacting Bridget Andrews, Librarian (x7056)
All suggestions or requests for new acquisitions are welcome, either for the library or for departmental use.
Do you know that you can access journal articles from your desk? For a quick induction explaining the resources held by the library and how to use them, please contact Bridget Andrews.
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Cash-transfer programming in emergencies / edited by Pantaleo Creti and Susanne Jaspars (Oxfam GB, 2006)
Draws on the practical experience of Oxfam and other agencies to present the rationale behind cash-transfer programmes, explain how to assess whether cash is the most appropriate response to a given emergency, and compare different types of cash intervention.
Shelfmark: 5.3 CAS
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Transitional settlement : displaced populations / executive editors and lead authors Tom Corsellis and Antonella Vitale (Oxfam GB, 2005)
Guidelines offering planning tools for developing and implementing settlement and shelter strategies for people affected by conflict or natural disaster. Part a gives a broad overview of the issues relating to transitional settlement and the six settlement options open to displaced populations. Part b offers technical information as a reference for the implementation of transitional settlement options.
Shelfmark: 6.55 COR
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Disability, equality and human rights : a training manual for development and humanitarian organisations / Alison Harris with Sue Enfield (Oxfam GB, 2003)
Manual designed both for disabled people's organisations seeking to raise awareness and implement equality programmes, and for the humanitarian and development community seeking to ensure that disabled people are equal participants in their emergency response and development programmes. Part one looks at the principles behind Disability Equality training, drawing on Oxfam's experience working with disabled people's organisations in Kosovo. Part two contains materials for training Disability Equality trainers, including workshop activities, facilitator's notes and handouts.
Shelfmark: 13.78 HAR
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Characteristics, Conflict and Risk: NGO Insecurity in conflict zones
Larissa Fast
Disasters Vol 31 No. 2, June 2007, 130-154
Results of research on three countries-Angola, Ecuador and Sierra Leone-and exploration of the relationship between levels of insecurity, context and the characteristics of NGOs.
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Conflict, camps and coercion: the ongoing livelihoods crisis in Darfur
Margie Buchanan-Smith and Susanne Jaspers
This paper presents the findings of a study commissioned by World Food Programme (WFP) in early 2006 to enhance understanding of how the conflict in Darfur has affected livelihoods and markets, and of the effects of food aid. The paper proposes a number of preconditions for investment in recovery in Darfur, and recommends ways in which livelihoods can be supported in the current context of ongoing conflict.
Disasters Vol. 31 No. S1 March 2007, 57-76, or online: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1467-7717.2007.00349.x
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Increasing strategic accountability: a framework for international NGOs
Sue Cavill and M. Sohail
This paper presents a conceptual framework for exploring INGO accountability, based on information collected through a literature review and semi-structured interviews with representatives from 20 UK-based INGOs. The research found that INGOs tend to use a number of quality-assurance mechanisms to achieve 'practical' accountability. However, it is suggested that this kind of accountability will not necessarily enable INGOs to achieve their missions to alleviate poverty and eliminate injustice. Furthermore, the predominant use of practical accountability has led to a number of gaps in INGO accountability. It is suggested that, like the term participation before it, accountability has been co-opted for its instrumental benefits to INGO project performance and management. It is argued that if INGOs are to achieve their missions, this will require more 'strategic' forms of accountability geared towards fundamentally changing those social, economic, and political structures that promote poverty.
Development in Practice, Vol. 17 No. 2, April 2007, 231
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Contribute to this bulletin by e-mailing submissions and feedback to Laura Walker, HPP PA (x7533).
