Resources

Humanitarian data, Information Management (IM), assessments, and analysis are fundamental to the effective planning, delivery, and accountability of humanitarian aid. The decisions based on these data impact millions of people affected by crises. It is critical these decisions are grounded in an informed and impartial understanding of needs and context, ensuring that the humanitarian narrative is driven by evidence rather than political agendas. As specialised H2H organisations committed to providing independent data and analysis, we welcome the increased focus on these issues, particularly within OCHA’s review of its IM and analysis functions. This is an important opportunity to strengthen the sector, and we encourage OCHA to recognise and enhance the role of technical partners in fostering collaboration, partnership, and joint ownership.

In 2023, the H2H Network worked hard to support international humanitarian responses to become more efficient, effective and accountable to better meet the needs of crisis-affected populations. H2H Members developed new solutions to the problems facing humanitarian response, simultaneously delivering services and demonstrating new ways of working.

The humanitarian sector has begun to recognise the significance of shifting operational decision making and leadership to local and national partners, albeit slowly. This report highlights some of the key experiences of national and international humanitarian professionals with partnerships and localisation and their reflections on them. Several key themes emerge, including the lack of conceptual clarity about localisation and its ambitions; the absence of a unified vision and voice on whether and how to implement approaches; localisation as a topdown policy priority that may not translate well in the field; and donors’ failure to revise their internal processes to allow more risk taking and more direct funding to go to national actors despite their ambitions to do so.

This Case study aims to provide evidence on the results, effects and achievements the H2H Fund activation during the Sudan crisis in the period 1 June – 31 October 2023. It features examples of changes to the humanitarian response which can be reasonably said to have been influenced by both the individual projects themselves and the wider H2H Fund activation as a whole. In particular, evidence of improvements to the quality, effectiveness and accountability of the humanitarian response has been identified, in line with the strategic objectives of the H2H Fund.

This Case study aims to provide evidence on the results, effects and achievements the H2H Fund activation during the Pakistan flood crisis in the period 2022-2023. It features examples of changes to the humanitarian response which can be reasonably said to have been influenced by both the individual projects, themselves, and the wider fund activation as a whole. In particular, evidence of improvements to the quality, effectiveness and accountability of the humanitarian response has been identified, in line with the strategic objectives of the H2H Fund.

The H2H Fund activation following the Türkiye/Syria earthquakes provided a comprehensive set of products and services to foster improved communication, community engagement and accountability among international actors involved in the response, while improving quality and supporting gaps in logistics and program implementation. This included an ecosystem mapping that provided clear value to international actors seeking to foster a response rooted in communication and community engagement.

The H2H Fund activation in the Horn of Africa drought response provided a wide-scope service package to humanitarian responders, which was taken up and used by a combination of local and international actors. These services had demonstrable effects on the availability of information and analysis of the nature of humanitarian need, the relationship between hunger and conflict, the linguistic diversity of Somali communities, and a number of other critical areas.

We are pleased to present the H2H Annual Report for 2022, a reflection of our collaborative efforts and shared vision to enhance humanitarian response globally. The year saw much progress in the development of the network, equipping us to move forward with our mission to ensure humanitarian responders have access to independent, high-quality services and expertise that collectively enable them to better serve people affected by crises.

In 2022, the H2H Network together with USAID pioneered a fast-moving programme to support innovative program development by H2H members. A competitive selection process resulted in three initiatives being selected for a four month combination of coaching and funding. The program concluded with a face-to-face meeting in March 2023, where all the teams, H2H staff, and innovation coaches met in Geneva.

In response to the devastating earthquakes that hit southeast Türkiye and northwest Syria, H2H Network activates its funding mechanism to strengthen the humanitarian response in the region. The funding enables nine specialized network members to provide services aiming to fill gaps and improve the response to better meet the humanitarian needs.

In response to drought and severe food insecurity in the Horn of Africa, the H2H Network has activated its fund mechanism to support humanitarian efforts in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya. Seven H2H Network members will provide broad-ranging services aimed at increasing the accessibility and quality of information and communication, providing remote sensing and anticipatory analysis, building community engagement and accountability, supporting capacity strengthening programmes, food deliveries and drought alert systems.