NGOs are widely recognized as key actors in an effective, efficient and accountable emergency response because they are frontline implementers for the majority of humanitarian operations. As such, the appropriate engagement of NGOs within humanitarian leadership is a critical component for success. Despite numerous evaluations of the cluster approach noting the value of NGO engagement, there is lack of qualitative data on the NGO role within humanitarian leadership structures. This research attempts to fill that gap. Through this study, InterAction examined the perceived and expected value of NGO engagement on and contributions to Humanitarian Country Teams (HCTs). Additionally, the research explored how NGOs leverage and lend their experience to the HCTs to improve the efficiency of humanitarian action. InterAction plans a second phase of research to examine other aspects of the architecture, notably clusters. The report also includes findings on challenges faced by all HCT members –for example, the extent to which a staff member of an independent operational organization can represent his/her peers. The recommendations within this report aim to strengthen a common understanding of the role that NGOs can fulfill on HCTs, as well as to reiterate expectations of the HCTs themselves.
The understanding of localization in the humanitarian response in Ukraine remains a key policy and practice concern for donors and humanitarian actors. While localization of the humanitarian response in Ukraine is frequently stressed as a priority, there have been only limited efforts to date to...
This briefing paper summarizes discussions from the third session of the humanitarian coordination learning stream, which emphasised the importance of understanding how the NGO fora and consortia function and how NGOs can engage in these structures. The session provided examples of good practice of...
This study is part of the larger Syrian NGO Network Engagement and Partnership Programme, carried out by ICVA in strategic partnership with UNDP Syria. It aims to document the evolution of Syrian NGO networks over time, emphasizing how they have played a role in collective advocacy work and...
