Office of Development Effectiveness Evaluations of Australia s humanitarian response to crises in the Horn of Africa and Syria Mr Simon Ernst Dr Karen Ovington w
Evaluation of Australia s response to the Horn of Africa Humanitarian Crisis
Background Famine caused by drought & ecological vulnerability conflict actions of Al- Shabaab withdrawal of aid
Millions ($) Percentage of GDP Australia s response Funding in 2011 800 0.012 600 0.010 0.008 400 0.006 200 0.004 0.002 US UK Germany Australia Canada US UK Germany Australia Canada
About the evaluation Evaluation purpose To improve the effectiveness Australian humanitarian assistance to slow onset crises? Questions how Australia responded how Australian assistance was delivered how well the needs of affected people were met achievements of the Australian response Methodology
Funding was disbursed quickly after the declaration of famine
Most funding went to Somalia as intended
People needed multiple forms of assistance. Cash transfers were effective & extensively used. The elderly beneficiaries, who were mostly women, were happy because they had the freedom to buy easily chewable food such as liver.
Sectors supported All partners NGOs
NGO funding mechanisms Strengths Humanitarian Partnership Agreement Fast disbursal Efficient Best suited Australian NGOs Dollar for Dollar Initiative Public engaged Funding increased Weakness Limited funding Slow disbursal Inefficient-20 NGOs NGOs with Australian base were not the most suited
FUNDING RESULTS Australia 5% Number of beneficiaries 25% All other donors 95% Life saving assistance for those in need 50%
Jan 2011 Feb 2011 Mar 2011 Apr 2011 May 2011 Jun 2011 Jul 2011 Aug 2011 Sep 2011 Oct 2011 Nov 2011 Dec 2011 Jan 2012 Frb 2012 Mar 2012 US$ millions Number of excess deaths In Somalia the number of famine related deaths fell soon after aid was scaled up July 2011 Peak in funding to CAP of US$242 million July 2011 UN declares a famine in Somalia July 2011 Peak in excess deaths at 33 000 300 35 000 250 200 150 100 Feb 2012 UN declares end to famine 30 000 25 000 20 000 15 000 10 000 50 5 000 0 0 Funding to Somalia CAP appeal Estimated number of excess deaths
Australia s humanitarian response to the Syria crisis
Australia s humanitarian response Diplomatic engagement Material assistance $130+ million, through UN, NGO and other partners Delivered in Lebanon, Jordan, within Syria and across the region Supporting activities across a range of sectors
About the evaluation Evaluation purpose What can the Australian Government do to improve its humanitarian response to the crisis in Syria? Questions how Australia responded how Australian assistance was delivered how well the needs of affected people were met achievements of the Australian response Approach and methodology
Evaluation findings Australian leadership Improving humanitarian access Strategy relevant, appropriate and flexible coherence not optimal Funding needs outstrip funds flexibility highly valued generally unpredictable
Evaluation findings (continued) Funding mechanisms protracted crisis Good humanitarian donorship Accountability, management and learning Za atri refugee camp, Jordan
Syria and the Horn of Africa : comparisons and contrasts Similarities Large, protracted crises Timeliness of Australia s response Leadership on access Partner mediated Geographically distant Inconsistent reporting
Syria and the Horn of Africa : comparisons and contrasts (continued) Differences Sectoral allocations DFAT s local engagement