P urpose of the stu dy
To explore the ways NDMAs and other state actors learn about and improve their humanitarian response activities with a view to identifying:
• Current practices
• Challenges that exist
• How collaboration has helped overcome these challenges
Approach
• The research builds on ALNAP’s ongoing engagement with NDMAs
• Participation of 5 NDMAs and input from representatives of international organisations and regional institutions
• Extensive web-based literature review with a focus on NDMA websites
C ontext
• Engagement of international organisations is
dependent on the states willingness and
capacity to respond
• The international humanitarian system has a
poor track record of engaging with the state but
efforts are being taken to address this
• The state has responsibility
to respond to humanitarian
crises
Generating k n owledge
NDMA approaches
• After action reviews and evaluations
, formal and informal reflections and
simulations
Areas of collaboration
After action reviews, simulations
Evaluation
NDMA approaches
• Capacity assessments and online knowledge
repositories
Areas of collaboration
Capacity assessment, knowledge repositories
O r gan ising
k n owledge
Sharin g k n owledge
NDMA approaches
• Staff capacity development, peer learning, Disaster Management Institutes, guidelines, codes of conduct and minimum standards
Areas of collaboration
Staff capacity development, peer learning
E n a b l e r s & i n h i b i t o r s
o f l e a r n i n g
Inhibitors
• Lack of resources
• Competition for influence
• Prioritisation of short-term planning horizons
Enablers
• Continuity of support
• Shared agendas and trust
• ‘windows of opportunity’ and profile
Recommendations for NDMAs
• Strengthen capacity for and uptake of after action reviews and evaluation
• Use the post-disaster window of opportunity to for legislative change
• Use learning outputs to increase NDMA profile within government
• Engage in peer support with other NDMAs
Recommendations for others
• Strengthen links between NDMAs and the international humanitarian system
• Promote joint humanitarian evaluation
• Establish long-term strategic partnerships that develop capacity and enhance visibility
• Learn from holistic, multi-stakeholder approaches to institutional strengthening of NDMAs