H2H Case Studies

The lack of a cluster coordination system and existing gaps in humanitarian needs analysis in Libya highlighted the importance of data and information management services provided by H2H Members during the flood response. H2H Members offered valuable, evidence-based insights into effective strategies and critical needs, adding significant value to international efforts. However, the limited operational space for international actors in Libya and small national civil society restricted the broader use of H2H Members' products and services. This raised questions about the range of products suitable for such restrictive, time-sensitive contexts. The Case Study also suggested the potential benefit of ongoing stakeholder engagement between activations to enhance the H2H Fund's long-term impact and crisis preparedness.

The effects on the wider international system in the H2H Fund activation for Sudan speaks to the relevance of H2H Network’s products and services in contexts where movement is constrained and international organizations are absent. In this context, H2H Members provided a valuable combination of needs analysis, community engagement and communication activities, and activities that centre the voices of affected people. The Case study shows that through the H2H Fund, H2H Members were able to raise awareness among the international community of the evolving needs as the conflict became widespread and protracted. H2H Members were also able to share community perspectives on the crisis and the international response and help raise the awareness of local and diaspora actors among the international actors involved in the Inter-Cluster, AAP Working Groups and the sector-specific clusters, as well as the key donors involved in the response.

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 during the Pakistan flood crisis in the period 2022-2023 enabled H2H Members to improve the quality, relevance and inclusivity of local media reporting on the Pakistani regions. It also enhanced the inclusion of persons with disabilities and older people within locally and nationally designed humanitarian action in response to the floods and built local and international capacity for flood emergency response.

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.

The H2H Fund activation in Haiti following the 2021 earthquake rapidly mobilized resources to fill critical gaps in the humanitarian response. Key outcomes included enhanced community engagement, real-time data collection, and improved local response capacity. Despite challenges like fuel shortages and security issues, the activation facilitated timely assistance. However, the lack of follow-up funding posed a challenge for long-term impact. This activation served as a catalyst for further engagement and innovation in emergency response​.

The H2H Fund activation for the Tigray conflict in 2021 enabled four H2H Members to provide vital services during a rapidly escalating crisis. These included data analysis, information management, language services, and community engagement, which helped humanitarian responders in Ethiopia and Sudan. Despite challenges like short timelines, the activation facilitated important collaborations, resulting in key outcomes such as enhanced coordination, improved communication with affected populations, and the production of critical data for response planning. These efforts contributed to a more informed and coordinated humanitarian response.

The second H2H Fund activation for the Tigray conflict (June-August 2021) filled gaps in the humanitarian response through two key projects. Insecurity Insight provided timely, predictive security analysis to aid organizations, enhancing preparedness and access to vital data, while CDAC strengthened community engagement and accountability (CCEA) systems, improving coordination among local actors in Sudan. Both projects addressed enduring challenges, yet a tight timeframe and gaps between activations limited broader collaboration, highlighting the need for continuous, sustained support.

The H2H Fund activation in the occupied Palestine territories (oPt) in 2021 allowed network members to rapidly address urgent needs following an escalation of conflict. The activation supported three key projects: providing essential medicines, conducting needs analysis and capacity building for local NGOs. Despite challenges with short timelines and compliance processes, the H2H Members achieved outcomes such as delivering over 50,000 medical treatments, publishing timely reports to inform humanitarian decision-making, and training NGOs to improve their proposal writing and funding opportunities.

The Get Ready Fund provided micro-funding to six H2H Members, enabling them to develop innovative technical solutions addressing gaps in humanitarian action. Partnerships with local actors proved essential for tailoring services and mobilizing capacities. While the projects aim to make open-source products accessible to response actors, their sustainability depends on integration into organizational strategies. The fund offered rare and valuable seed funding for service development, which is often difficult to secure in the sector, helping H2H members prepare their services for future humanitarian responses.

The H2H Network's Global Covid-19 Humanitarian Support Package helped 14 members rapidly mobilize innovative services during the pandemic. Key outcomes included improved grant-making processes, flexible adaptations to pandemic delays, and strengthened local partnerships. Members adapted to remote programming, collaborated effectively, and integrated with broader humanitarian efforts. However, challenges like coordination, virtual service delivery, and encouraging established actors to try new approaches persisted. The package reinforced the importance of pre-existing relationships, flexibility, and understanding service users to maximize impact​

The H2H Fund activation for Vanuatu in response to Cyclone Harold and COVID-19 (2020) supported two key projects: CDAC Network focused on community engagement, providing critical communication and feedback mechanisms, while Field Ready locally produced essential WASH items, including water buckets and handwashing stations. Both projects strengthened the local humanitarian response, improving communication with affected communities and accelerating the delivery of aid. The rapid funding enabled these members to pivot from preparedness to response, filling critical gaps during a challenging time.

The H2H Fund activation for Nagorno Karabakh enabled IMPACT Initiative and ACAPS to provide vital data for humanitarian response planning. In Armenia, IMPACT Initiative’s rapid needs assessment became the basis for the Inter-Agency Response Plan and informed key donors like DG ECHO and USAID. In Azerbaijan, ACAPS’ Secondary Data Review (SDR) and Updated Needs Assessment helped OCHA and UN partners identify impacted areas, complementing primary data. Both IMPACT Initiatives and ACAPS strengthened information management and coordination, making timely, critical contributions to both countries' humanitarian responses.