Driving Change: Highlights from IMPACT Initiatives’ Participation at HNPW 2024

IMPACT Initiatives once again took part in the annual Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week (HNPW) held in Geneva from the 29 April to 10 May 2024.

Throughout this year’s HNPW, our staff hosted an exhibition stand, actively participated in and co-organized a series of sessions, collaborated with partners to address pressing challenges and explored innovative solutions.

Disability inclusion in humanitarian coordination: what have we learned?

At the session on “Disability Inclusion in Humanitarian Coordination” participants delved into the significance of deepening linkages between disability inclusion and other cross-sectoral commitments such as localization, accountability to affected populations (AAP), and gender-based violence (GBV) risk mitigation.

If we don’t consider persons with disabilities at all steps of the programme cycle, there is a risk that we fail to answer their needs.

– Gender & Inclusion Assessment Specialist, IMPACT Initiatives

This necessitates identifying and understanding key facilitators of inclusive humanitarian coordination to ensure inclusion remains a central objective of the response. Amongst other things, panellists emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards for collection and analysis of disability data, moving towards an intersectional understanding of needs and ensuring the meaningful participation of people with disabilities in the response.

Further Reading
REACH’s 2023 MSNA Gender, Age, and Disability Situation Overview in Ukraine offers valuable insights into how disability intersects with existing vulnerabilities and needs.

Data to Inform Solutions to Displacement: From Global to Local

The session titled “Data to Inform Solutions to Displacement: From Global to Local” emphasized the role of data in addressing displacement, from global to local challenges. The two showcased Area-Based Assessments, by REACH teams in Iraq and Ukraine and their partners, highlighted how granular and localized data fuel effective programming, tailored to the specific context. This demonstrates how operational data act as a driving force for local decision-making, extending support beyond humanitarian aid to address the needs and aspirations of displaced populations.

Further Reading
Based on an ABA in La Guajira, Colombia, REACH published a brief aimed at elevating community voices and enhancing communication between local populations, humanitarian organizations, and local authorities.

Collective Action for Improving Data for Solutions to Internal Displacement

The session “Collective Action for Improving Data for Solutions to Internal Displacement” presented country-level initiatives that are enhancing the evidence base for decision-makers addressing internal displacement, while underscoring their alignment with overarching global frameworks and guidelines. The panel interventions stressed the importance of standardizing data to address internal displacement vulnerabilities, following the Guiding principles, the IASC framework, the International Recommendations on Internal Displacement (IRIS) and the Data for Solutions to Internal Displacement (DSID) framework. It highlighted the value of various methodologies for data collection and analysis, emphasizing the complementary roles of statistical and operational data in informing solutions.

The session also highlighted the role that collaboration between different organizations, plays in enhancing IDP data, the centrality of long-term funding and political will, and the value of severity tools for assessing IDP living conditions. IMPACT Initiatives spoke about the potential of Multisectoral Needs Assessments (MSNAs) to inform displacement needs and solutions. By leveraging existing data and prioritisation processes within the humanitarian planning cycle, MSNAs can be strategic to enable durable solutions from the start.

Further Reading
Explore REACH’s thematic brief “Displacement and Diverging Needs: A Macro-Regional Analysis” for insights into internal displacement challenges, such as those in Ukraine. 

Missing Pieces in a Warming World: Climate Change Information and Analysis Gaps and Solutions for the Humanitarian Sector

The session “Missing Pieces in a Warming World: Climate Change Information and Analysis Gaps and Solutions for the Humanitarian Sector” aimed to understand what main information and data gaps that prevent humanitarian actions from implementing climate risk informed programming are.

“How do we make decisions today that reduce the-climate–risks that are coming.”
– Jeremy Wetterwald, Senior Climate, Environment and Migration Advisor IMPACT Initiatives  

Panellists stressed the importance of risk informed decision-making, using both scientific data and local knowledge, in developing climate and environment -sensitive humanitarian programs. Identified as significant challenges were the lack of comprehensive climate risk information at the local level and the need to strengthen communication of risks with local stakeholder.

Further Reading
Explore REACH’s report “Impacts of Climatic Shocks on Communities” in Kenya for insights into the long-term impact of climatic shocks on food security and livelihoods.

Environment and the Settlements Approach: Launching the Environmental Addendum to the Settlements Approach Guidance Note

The “Environment and the Settlements Approach: Launching the Environmental Addendum to the Settlements Approach Guidance Note”, was the session aimed to introduce and launch the “Environmental Addendum” to the Settlement Approach Guidance Note. Real-life case studies demonstrated the practical application of environmental considerations in settlement-based programming.

Data Quality Challenges and Their Impact on the Humanitarian Response Cycle

At the HNPW panel session on “Data Quality Challenges and Their Impact on the Humanitarian Response Cycle,” one key area of focus was the establishment of quality frameworks to maintain high standards in data collection and analysis, even in challenging and complex environments such as emergency situations. IMPACT employs a variety of research-related and program-specific guidelines and templates, supported by quality checklists and internal peer review processes. These measures cover all stages of the research cycle, from data collection and cleaning to analysis and presentation. Regarding primary data collection, IMPACT emphasized the importance of thorough research design and planning to minimize issues with data quality from the outset. This includes preparing Data Checking and Cleaning SOPs and developing data cleaning scripts before data collection begins. During data collection, regular data cleaning and checking measures should be applied daily to identify and address issues promptly.

Further Reading
Read our report on “Minimizing Survey Measurement Errors in Complex Humanitarian Settings” for valuable guidance on mitigating survey measurement errors and maintaining high data quality standards.

Data and Analysis for Disability Inclusion

At the session titled “Data and Analysis for Disability Inclusion,” Patrick Sayers IMPACT Country Representative for Myanmar, participated in a discussion on the crucial role of data in ensuring inclusive humanitarian response efforts, particularly for persons with disabilities. The session delved into key questions surrounding the collection, analysis, and utilization of data to address the needs and leverage the resources of persons with disabilities.

Data Silent Crisis – Information, Decision-Making, and Communities on the Frontlines of Climate Change

The session “Silent Crisis – Information, Decision-Making, and Communities on the Frontlines of Climate Change,” delved into the consequences of neglecting local perspectives and indigenous voices in discussions about the impacts of climate change, particularly hindering the development of effective adaptation strategies.

The session emphasized the need for inclusive communication channels, especially those that actively involve communities affected by climate change. By amplifying community voices and facilitating dialogue between local stakeholders and global decision-makers, the session aimed to foster a more inclusive and equitable responses to the climate crisis.

Further Reading
Explore REACH’s assessment on flood risks in Ukraine, focusing on the Halytska Hromada, for insights into climate-affected communities’ challenges and responses.
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These sessions were crucial as they provided actionable insights and frameworks that enhanced the effectiveness and inclusivity of humanitarian responses. By focusing on evidence-based approaches and the integration of environmental and data quality considerations, IMPACT Initiatives drove meaningful progress in addressing global displacement and climate challenges at HNPW 2024.