Learning from disaster

Andy Featherstone

27 March, IFRC, Geneva

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

C y cle of Lear ning

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

Thank you