Debriefing OCHA/IASC GenevaNovember 2008

Inter-Agency Real Time Evaluation of the Response to

Cyclone Nargis

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Path of Cyclone Nargis

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Introduction

• Objectives of the RTE

• Methodology

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Overall Findings

The Humanitarian Response has generally gone very well…but the international community can only take limited credit for the quality & timeliness of the response

There are two areas that require particular focus in “real time”:– Livelihoods– Disaster Risk Reduction

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Bogalay Township: “Who-What-Where”

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Thayaw Chaung Village

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Sar Phu Su Village

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Bogalay Township:

RTE Team Itinerary

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Accountability

Level of beneficiary participation?• Some efforts have been made (e.g. FAO

HH surveys);• Communication remains one-way;• Much more could be done, particularly

for recovery planning.

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Accountability

Effectiveness of AccountabilityMechanisms?• Good efforts by a number of actors (e.g.

WFP, Care, WVI, ActionAid, NCV);• What was ‘good enough’ during the

response phase should be strengthened;

• Check list initiatives.

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Accountability

Are funding levels adequate?

• Humanitarian funding has been adequate;

• There are serious concerns about funding for continuing humanitarian needs and recovery.

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Predictability

Are the clusters effective at mobilization and setting direction?

• Clusters at the central level have performed relatively well;

• Some unmet relief needs (water, psychosocial)

• More effort must be made to better link with the field, local organizations and beneficiaries.

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Predictability

How effective has strategic planningbeen:• Humanitarian? Not very strong;• Recovery? Lots of activity now but

concerns about the level or beneficiary consultation.

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Predictability

What has been the role of nationalentities? Extensive and critical;

• Capacity Building? Much more is required;

• Sustainability? Issues of legal status, funding and capacity.

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Predictability

What was the effect on restrictions to deploying international staff?

• Affected populations did not receive assistance as quickly as they would have.

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Coordination and Planning

How can we improve the clusters?• Fewer meetings, more outreach

activities;

• Strengthen linkages and consultation with the field and beneficiaries;

• Improve inter-cluster coordination on specific issues (e.g. dry season water)

• Rationalize the clusters.

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Coordination and Planning

What was the effect of partnerships?

• The role of ASEAN was critical to access;

• The TCG has played an invaluable role in facilitating humanitarian activities.

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Conclusions

A generally effective Humanitarian response, but…

• Some remaining humanitarian needs (DRR, dry season water, psychosocial);

• Need to strengthen linkages with field, beneficiary consultation; and

• Coherent recovery planning and adequate funding.