This Article critically assesses the crucial but troubled system for the coordination of international humanitarian assistance—the UN “cluster approach.” Regardless of whether the cluster approach actually helps in disaster response, it exercises substantial power over affected populations by...
In humanitarian settings across the world today, children are likely to make up half or more of the population affected by conflicts or disasters. The many risks facing these girls and boys have a devastating impact on their well-being, physical security, and future. Some children are killed or...
This note builds on work done by ALNAP in 2016 on improving humanitarian coordination and the Global Protection Cluster and Global Education Cluster’s work on localisation. The note further draws on the regional workshops carried out by the Grand Bargain Localisation Workstream in 2019, which...
This guidance note draws on best practices identified in consultations in three regional conferences on localisation conducted by the Grand Bargain Localisation Workstream in 2019, as well as from a research project commissioned by the IFRC with support from ECHO, consisting of a literature review...
This guidance note was prepared by UN Women and the Grand Bargain Friends of Gender Group and developed through extensive research and three regional consultations with local women’s rights and women-led organisations (WROs and WLOs) as well as feedback from the Grand Bargain Localisation...
More than 400 humanitarian agencies contributed to identifying the priority partnership practices for localisation; approximately 85% of them were local/national actors. The basis of the guidance note is the findings of the research conducted in Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria and South Sudan in 2018 as...
This guidance note is intended to provide guidance as to how arrangements between donors, and UN agencies, INGOs and other international humanitarian organisations (referred to here as “international intermediaries”), can further the Grand Bargain’s localisation goals in cases where direct...
The advice provided within this document stems from interviews with 18 NGO forum secretariats, multiple donor agency representatives, and host agency staff at both field and HQ levels.
This note clarifies leadership and coordination arrangements in the situation where a complex humanitarian emergency or natural disaster is taking place, a Humanitarian Coordinator has been appointed, and a UNHCR-led refugee operation is also underway. The detailed accountabilities, roles and...
The Syrian NGO Network Engagement and Partnership Programme is a strategic partnership between UNDP and ICVA to strengthen the capacity of Syrian NGO/CSO networks to enable them to play a vital role in joint coordination and representation by strengthening skills and capacity across a range of areas...
This note summaries IASC coordination structures and capacities in 26 operations (28 locations, taking into account the three components of the Syria response). Data was collected from the field through a rapid survey in late 20192 and is the only standardised method for capturing coordination...
In contexts of armed conflict, international humanitarian organisations increasingly rely on local and national actors to deliver aid. South Sudan is no exception. This report moves beyond abstract assumptions and global-level debates to understand the reality of the struggles and strategies of...
This Explainer, a collaboration between the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA) and the Asia Displacement Solutions Platform (ADSP), aims to provide clear guidance on the Support Platform for the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees. It offers insights on how NGOs and others can...
This comparative analysis contributes to understanding the landscape of Pooled Funds governance models, sheds light on good practices observed these Pooled Funds, and provides recommendations towards an independent governance system.
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...
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...
Pooled funding has become increasingly popular as an efficient solution to enhance effectiveness of humanitarian action. The Covid-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan organized through IASC is an example of pooled funding being used to channel funds faster to frontline humanitarian responders....
This report was commissioned by ICVA and carried out by a consultancy team from the London School of Economics. The research was conducted with the aim of exploring the quality of participation, as well as the challenges inhibiting meaningful participation, by NNGOs and NGO fora within Humanitarian...
This template serves as a checklist for capturing essential data, information, and evidence to document good practices. It aligns with the 2021 IASC Guidance on Localization and aims to support the meaningful participation, representation, and leadership of local and national humanitarian actors...
This report considers progress on localization in Yemen, measuring it across seven pillars: Partnerships, Funding, Capacity Strengthening, Coordination and Complementarity, Policy Influence, Leadership, and Participation.
The evaluation serves as an independent assessment of the collective efforts of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) member organizations in addressing the needs and priorities of the world's most vulnerable people in the context of COVID-19.
ICVA’s online report examining the implementation of IASC Guidelines on the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action. The report is based on interviews and consultations with various humanitarian actors, including ICVA members, the Organization of persons with disabilities, NGO...
The PSEA Outreach Fund was established in 2020 as a deliverable of the High Commissioner’s IASC Championship on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Sexual Harassment (September 2019 to December 2020). A joint initiative of UNHCR and the International Council of Voluntary...
ICVA has created a compendium comprising of existing resources, guidance and tools on building resilience, risk analysis, adaptation, environment sustainability, Nature-based Solutions (NbS), mitigation, among others. The aim is to promote knowledge exchange and share existing resources and learning...
