Focusing on People

We support organizations in their efforts to keep people at the center of humanitarian action. From participation and inclusive decision-making processes to community-driven responses, we explore how humanitarian actors can strengthen accountability and better engage with those they serve. Discover some of our key observations from past work:

Community Contact Centers are making a distinct contribution to accountability – at a limited cost and with manageable risks.

Evaluation of the ICRC’s Community Contact Centres

Many affected people do not know how to use the feedback mechanisms, and those who have used them most often do not hear back about their feedback or complaints.

Evaluation: The International Response to the Humanitarian Crisis in Somalia

Field staff face an increasing bureaucratic burden, which crowds out time for engaging with affected people.

Evaluation of Diversity, Inclusion, and Accountability to Affected People in ICRC Operations

Humanitarian organizations are collecting and sharing an increasing amount of data from the people they assist. If not adequately secured, this information can be used to target specific individuals or communities.

Risks Associated With Humanitarian Data Sharing With Donors

Most people have never been asked for their opinion about the aid they receive.

Listening to Communities in Insecure Environments

Affected populations have limited means of making a bid for power.

Drivers and Inhibitors of Change in the Humanitarian System, 2016

Affected communities often play a central role in reducing threats and increasing their own security.

Scoping Study: What Works in Protection and How Do We Know?

Women are not simply victims. They play an active and important role in contributing to peace and resilience.

Evaluation of the Protection Standby Capacity (ProCap) and Gender Standby Capacity (GenCap) Projects

We need to complement a biological with a social understanding of need and give priority to needs as articulated by affected people.

Reflection on the Inequities of Humanitarian Assistance