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Self Report 2018

The self-report on WHS Commitments below is organized according to the 24 transformations of the Agenda for Humanity. It is based on commitments pledged at the time of report submission. Click on the 'Expand' symbol to expand each section and read the reporting inputs by transformation.

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  • 1B
    Act early

    Joint Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • InterAction and 63 members will advocate with political leaders and parties to conflict to mitigate and end conflicts, and will provide evidence of the human cost of resorting to violence to solve political problems.
    • Advocacy
    • Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts

    Partners: Action Against Hunger USA, ActionAid International USA, ADRA International, Airlink, Alliance for Peacebuilding, American Jewish World Service, American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, AmeriCares, Amigos de las Américas, Association of Volunteers in International Service, USA (AVSI USA), BRAC USA, Bread for the World, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, CARE USA, Church World Service, Concern Worldwide (U.S.), Inc., Catholic Relief Services, CBM-US, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Doctors of the World USA, Episcopal Relief & Development, Friends of ACTED, Global Communities, Global Links, Habitat for Humanity International, Handicap International, Headwaters Relief Organization, Heart to Heart International, Helen Keller International, HelpAge USA, International Catholic Migration Commission, iMMAP, InsideNGO, International Medical Corps, International Orthodox Christian Charities, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief USA, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Keystone Human Services International, Life for Relief and Development, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, PATH, Physicians for Peace, Plan International USA, Population Communication, Project C.U.R.E., Refugees International, Relief International, Save the Children USA, Solar Cookers International, Stop Hunger Now, Water for South Sudan, Women's Refugee Commission, World Concern, World Hope International, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, Zakat Foundation of America

    • InterAction and 63 members will strive to aid in the prevention of crises through programming that mainstreams peace-building, conflict mitigation and good governance, with the goals of breaking cycles of conflict and fragility, and building the resilience of affected populations.
    • Operational
    • Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts

    Partners: Action Against Hunger USA, ActionAid International USA, ADRA International, Airlink, Alliance for Peacebuilding, American Jewish World Service, American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, AmeriCares, Amigos de las Américas, Association of Volunteers in International Service, USA (AVSI USA), BRAC USA, Bread for the World, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, CARE USA, Church World Service, Concern Worldwide (U.S.), Inc., Catholic Relief Services, CBM-US, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Doctors of the World USA, Episcopal Relief & Development, Friends of ACTED, Global Communities, Global Links, Habitat for Humanity International, Handicap International, Headwaters Relief Organization, Heart to Heart International, Helen Keller International, HelpAge USA, International Catholic Migration Commission, iMMAP, InsideNGO, International Medical Corps, International Orthodox Christian Charities, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief USA, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Keystone Human Services International, Life for Relief and Development, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, PATH, Physicians for Peace, Plan International USA, Population Communication, Project C.U.R.E., Refugees International, Relief International, Save the Children USA, Solar Cookers International, Stop Hunger Now, Water for South Sudan, Women's Refugee Commission, World Concern, World Hope International, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, Zakat Foundation of America

    1. Highlight the concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2017 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures.

    • InterAction working groups convene regularly to ensure coordinated advocacy which, in part, centers around early action.
    • US NGOs advocated for Congress to provide nearly $1 billion in emergency supplemental funding to respond to the threat of famine.  Members of the Yemen Working Group (WG) met with the US mission to the UN to raise concerns over humanitarian challenges. The WG hosted a discussion with a field-based NGO advocacy advisor, which helped supplement analysis with updated information on ground-level response and challenges. The Yemen WG holds an ongoing dialog between civil society, UN organizations and senior State and USAID officials regarding Yemen, an in effort to act early and ensure coordinated advocacy.

     

    The Syria/Iraq WG hosted UNFPA Jordan Representative for a briefing on the current humanitarian situation in Syria. InterAction coordinated a meeting with the Office of the Secretary of Defense to discuss de-escalation zones, humanitarian access and humanitarian considerations in the Raqqa military operations. Four directors from the US National Security Council (NSC) came to InterAction to provide an overview on their various directorates that work on thematic areas and issues relevant to NGOs.

     

    Within the second Civil-Military Humanitarian Response Workshop InterAction discussed improving IHL compliance, civil-military coordination in pandemics, and improving inter-operability between civilian and military actors within humanitarian response.  In June 2017 InterAction co-hosted a discussion on lessons learned for contingency planning from the Mosul military operation, which provided space for diverse stakeholders to consider past lessons on mitigating civilian harm to improve present or future responses.

    2. A. How are you measuring progress toward achieving your commitments? Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Through existing, internal systems or frameworks for monitoring, reporting and/or evaluation.
    B. How are you assessing whether progress on commitments is leading toward change in the direction of the transformation?

    Roundtable discussions are assessed through participant evaluations, as well as formal surveys of the outcome reports.

    3. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Adherence to standards and/or humanitarian principles
    • Human resources/capacity
    • IHL and IHRL compliance and accountability
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    • There is still difficulty in getting the US government to understand the practical implications of humanitarian principles.
    • There are still substantial impediments to assuring compliance of US-supported or US-partner forces in IHL compliance/accountability.
    • Many organizations are stretched between multiple priorities and lack the dedicated capacity to advocate on IHL.

    4. Highlight actions planned for 2018 to advance implementation of your commitments in order to achieve this transformation.

    InterAction will continue to organize multi-stakeholder roundtable discussions on the protection of civilians, including a dialogue on measures to improve the conduct of U.S. partner forces.

    5. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    • Better information sharing between the field and headquarters could enable more efficient and better-informed analysis for advocacy and policy dialogue purposes.
    • Identifying additional venues to build capacity for IHL advocacy.
    • Identifying key bureaucratic impediments and obstacles that impede humanitarian response.
    • Continued advocacy upon current and emerging crises, to include evaluation of impediments to early humanitarian response.

    6. List any good practice or examples of innovation undertaken individually or in cooperation with others to advance this transformation.

    • InterAction is working with its members to proactively engage U.S. government representatives to improve policy and practice on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.
    • InterAction completed a limited-distribution after-action review of the approaches and tactics applied for usage within the NGO community.

    Keywords

    Humanitarian principles, IHL compliance and accountability

  • 2A
    Respect and protect civilians and civilian objects in the conduct of hostilities

    Core Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to promote and enhance the protection of civilians and civilian objects, especially in the conduct of hostilities, for instance by working to prevent civilian harm resulting from the use of wide-area explosive weapons in populated areas, and by sparing civilian infrastructure from military use in the conduct of military operations.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    1. Highlight the concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2017 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures.

    In June 2017, InterAction co-hosted a roundtable titled, “Protection of Civilians in Mosul:Identifying Lessons for Contingency Planning,” which brought together Iraqi Embassy officials, U.S. policymakers, military officials, and humanitarian actors to reflect on measures taken to address protection concerns during the Mosul military operations and subsequent displacement. An outcome report from the roundtable was prepared.

    InterAction also briefed NGO field consortia on lessons learned from the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and provided recommendations for enhancing the protection of civilians and civilian objects in major military operations.

    In October 2017, InterAction also launched recommendations intended to educate legislators about measures to mitigate harm to civilians in U.S. military operations and security partnerships; aspects of hostilities. These recommendations were reflected in the fiscal year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed in December 2017.

    2. A. How are you measuring progress toward achieving your commitments? Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Through existing, internal systems or frameworks for monitoring, reporting and/or evaluation.
    B. How are you assessing whether progress on commitments is leading toward change in the direction of the transformation?

    Roundtable discussions are assessed through participant evaluations, as well as formal surveys of the outcome reports.

    3. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • IHL and IHRL compliance and accountability
    • Multi-stakeholder coordination
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    The current U.S. administration has not fully staffed its civilian agencies, therefore InterAction has cultivated new relationships and engaged in dialogue with new stakeholders, but a great deal of education is necessary to address issues of civilian harm mitigation.

    4. Highlight actions planned for 2018 to advance implementation of your commitments in order to achieve this transformation.

    InterAction will continue to organize multi-stakeholder roundtable discussions on the protection of civilians, including a dialogue on measures to improve the conduct of U.S. partner forces.

    5. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Humanitarian NGOs need to engage in dialogue with actors like the U.S. government, sharing their own experience and knowledge on mitigating harm to civilians in conflict.

    6. List any good practice or examples of innovation undertaken individually or in cooperation with others to advance this transformation.

    InterAction is engaging regularly with the U.S. Defense Department to represent the concerns and priorities of humanitarian agencies regarding the protection of civilians and works with its members to proactively engage other U.S. government representatives to improve policy and practice on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

    Keywords

    IHL compliance and accountability

  • 2D
    Take concrete steps to improve compliance and accountability

    Joint Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • InterAction and 63 members will eradicate sexual exploitation and abuse by their staff through the operationalization of policies that protect affected populations.
    • Operational
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

    Partners: Action Against Hunger USA, ActionAid International USA, ADRA International, Airlink, Alliance for Peacebuilding, American Jewish World Service, American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, AmeriCares, Amigos de las Américas, Association of Volunteers in International Service, USA (AVSI USA), BRAC USA, Bread for the World, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, CARE USA, Church World Service, Concern Worldwide (U.S.), Inc., Catholic Relief Services, CBM-US, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Doctors of the World USA, Episcopal Relief & Development, Friends of ACTED, Global Communities, Global Links, Habitat for Humanity International, Handicap International, Headwaters Relief Organization, Heart to Heart International, Helen Keller International, HelpAge USA, International Catholic Migration Commission, iMMAP, InsideNGO, International Medical Corps, International Orthodox Christian Charities, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief USA, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Keystone Human Services International, Life for Relief and Development, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, PATH, Physicians for Peace, Plan International USA, Population Communication, Project C.U.R.E., Refugees International, Relief International, Save the Children USA, Solar Cookers International, Stop Hunger Now, Water for South Sudan, Women's Refugee Commission, World Concern, World Hope International, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, Zakat Foundation of America

    • InterAction and 63 members will prioritize the prevention and response to gender-based violence, including the mitigation of risk, within all of its humanitarian programming.
    • Operational
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

    Partners: Action Against Hunger USA, ActionAid International USA, ADRA International, Airlink, Alliance for Peacebuilding, American Jewish World Service, American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, AmeriCares, Amigos de las Américas, Association of Volunteers in International Service, USA (AVSI USA), BRAC USA, Bread for the World, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, CARE USA, Church World Service, Concern Worldwide (U.S.), Inc., Catholic Relief Services, CBM-US, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Doctors of the World USA, Episcopal Relief & Development, Friends of ACTED, Global Communities, Global Links, Habitat for Humanity International, Handicap International, Headwaters Relief Organization, Heart to Heart International, Helen Keller International, HelpAge USA, International Catholic Migration Commission, iMMAP, InsideNGO, International Medical Corps, International Orthodox Christian Charities, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief USA, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Keystone Human Services International, Life for Relief and Development, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, PATH, Physicians for Peace, Plan International USA, Population Communication, Project C.U.R.E., Refugees International, Relief International, Save the Children USA, Solar Cookers International, Stop Hunger Now, Water for South Sudan, Women's Refugee Commission, World Concern, World Hope International, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, Zakat Foundation of America

    Individual Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • InterAction and 63 members will analyze and promote the adherence to norms that safeguard humanity in their response.
    • Advocacy
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

    Core Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to promote and enhance respect for international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and refugee law, where applicable.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • Implement a coordinated global approach to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in crisis contexts, including through the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-based Violence in Emergencies.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    1. Highlight the concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2017 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures.

    Gender-based violence prevention and response

    The Gender Based Violence (GBV) Working Group held a Learning Event on the Prevalence of GBV among Elderly Populations and strengthened its paper on GBV and protection concerns arising out of the famine-affected countries. Materials produced were used to inform and raise issues in policy discussions, briefings with the U.S. government, and engage with the GBV AoR and UNFPA. InterAction conducted a field mission to Myanmar to examine critical protection issues and trends, and how they were being addressed by humanitarian actors as per IASC Protection Policy. The resulting Findings and Recommendations report inter alia highlighted the need for a whole-of-system response to achieve protection outcomes, which was well received by the humanitarian leadership that was briefed post-mission. InterAction created a guidance document for NGOs on the IASC Protection Policy, explaining how NGOs can contribute to the policy, both when setting a protection strategy and when implementing it.

    Other-2D

    In December 2016, InterAction alongside OHCHR were appointed by the IASC Principals to serve as Co-Champions to Prevent Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Aid Workers. Throughout 2017, the co-champions convened a senior-level task team to conduct an extensive survey to systematically analyze who is affected and how, and reinforcing agency governance and support.  The Co-Champions developed an IASC Statement expressing 'zero tolerance' for such abuse and commitment to reinforce governance and support for those affected, which was endorsed by the IASC Principals in March 2017.

    In December 2017, InterAction established a CEO task force on preventing sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment by and of NGO staff, co-championed by Abby Maxman (Oxfam America) and Carrie Hessler-Radelet (Project Concern International) alongside InterAction President, Lindsay Coates. 

    2. A. How are you measuring progress toward achieving your commitments? Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Through existing, internal systems or frameworks for monitoring, reporting and/or evaluation.
    B. How are you assessing whether progress on commitments is leading toward change in the direction of the transformation?

    InterAction constantly assesses and reassess our progress on our commitments but recognize the transformational change needed will take years marked by small incremental changes through organizational engagement at all levels.

    3. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Funding amounts
    • Information management/tools
    • Institutional/Internal constraints
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    InterAction is working towards addressing these issues within the collective and recognizes these constraints are not insurmountable.

    4. Highlight actions planned for 2018 to advance implementation of your commitments in order to achieve this transformation.

    InterAction will continue its leadership role within the NGO community and work to continue progress towards fulfilling our collective commitments throughout 2018.

    5. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Sustained, substantive leadership from Inter-Agency Standing Committee members is needed for true collective transformation. InterAction will continue its leadership role within the NGO community and work to continue progress towards fulfilling our collective commitments.

    6. List any good practice or examples of innovation undertaken individually or in cooperation with others to advance this transformation.

    The co-champions joined InterAction leadership and Board Chair Carolyn Miles (Save the Children US), in releasing a statement reiterating commitment to fight discrimination, sexual harassment and abuse within our community see: https://www.interaction.org/article/interaction-statement-sexual-harassment-and-abuse

    Keywords

    Protection, PSEA

  • 3D
    Empower and protect women and girls

    Joint Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • InterAction and 63 members will adopt and implement organizational policies and practices to strengthen gender equality.
    • Operational
    • Leave No One Behind

    Partners: Action Against Hunger USA, ActionAid International USA, ADRA International, Airlink, Alliance for Peacebuilding, American Jewish World Service, American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, AmeriCares, Amigos de las Américas, Association of Volunteers in International Service, USA (AVSI USA), BRAC USA, Bread for the World, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, CARE USA, Church World Service, Concern Worldwide (U.S.), Inc., Catholic Relief Services, CBM-US, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Doctors of the World USA, Episcopal Relief & Development, Friends of ACTED, Global Communities, Global Links, Habitat for Humanity International, Handicap International, Headwaters Relief Organization, Heart to Heart International, Helen Keller International, HelpAge USA, International Catholic Migration Commission, iMMAP, InsideNGO, International Medical Corps, International Orthodox Christian Charities, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief USA, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Keystone Human Services International, Life for Relief and Development, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, PATH, Physicians for Peace, Plan International USA, Population Communication, Project C.U.R.E., Refugees International, Relief International, Save the Children USA, Solar Cookers International, Stop Hunger Now, Water for South Sudan, Women's Refugee Commission, World Concern, World Hope International, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, Zakat Foundation of America

    Core Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Empower Women and Girls as change agents and leaders, including by increasing support for local women's groups to participate meaningfully in humanitarian action.
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Ensure that humanitarian programming is gender responsive.
    • Leave No One Behind
    1. Highlight the concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2017 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures.

    The InterAction-facilitated No Lost Generation event mentioned under 3E included a specific focus on adolescent women and girls and their unique needs. One of the Iraqi youths that participated via video conference was a 13 year-old girl who expressed how No Lost Generation programming has enabled her to establish friendships while engaging in social and educational activities. She also stated that she wants to become a lawyer and an interpreter to assist those who need help understanding Arabic and English. The Syria/ Iraq Working Group hosted the UNFPA Jordan Representative for a briefing on the current humanitarian situation in Syria, including challenges facing women and girls.

    InterAction houses and provides administrative support to the Basic Education Coalition (https://www.basiced.org/),  an independent, non-profit advocacy organization working to ensure that all children around the world have access to a quality basic education.

    2. A. How are you measuring progress toward achieving your commitments? Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Through existing, internal systems or frameworks for monitoring, reporting and/or evaluation.
    B. How are you assessing whether progress on commitments is leading toward change in the direction of the transformation?

    This commitment is not part of the core mission of InterAction. It is a core commitment of InterAction members, leadership towards transformation within this commitment will come from them.

    3. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Funding amounts
    • Funding modalities (earmarking, priorities, yearly agreements, risk aversion measures)
    • Strengthening national/local systems
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    Empowerment and protection require sustained engagement and is ultimately the preview of local/national systems. System strengthening requires more attention from donors. Real transformation around empowerment requires a broader window of engagement beyond traditional donor grant cycles.
     

    4. Highlight actions planned for 2018 to advance implementation of your commitments in order to achieve this transformation.

    To be determined.

    5. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Sustained attention from the donor community and Member States.

    Keywords

    Education, Gender, Youth

  • 3E
    Eliminate gaps in education for children, adolescents and young people

    Joint Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • InterAction and 63 members recognize that quality education is a life-saving intervention and commit to expand access to education for people in crises, especially underserved populations, and to mobilize new resources accordingly.
    • Operational
    • Leave No One Behind

    Partners: Action Against Hunger USA, ActionAid International USA, ADRA International, Airlink, Alliance for Peacebuilding, American Jewish World Service, American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, AmeriCares, Amigos de las Américas, Association of Volunteers in International Service, USA (AVSI USA), BRAC USA, Bread for the World, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, CARE USA, Church World Service, Concern Worldwide (U.S.), Inc., Catholic Relief Services, CBM-US, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Doctors of the World USA, Episcopal Relief & Development, Friends of ACTED, Global Communities, Global Links, Habitat for Humanity International, Handicap International, Headwaters Relief Organization, Heart to Heart International, Helen Keller International, HelpAge USA, International Catholic Migration Commission, iMMAP, InsideNGO, International Medical Corps, International Orthodox Christian Charities, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief USA, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Keystone Human Services International, Life for Relief and Development, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, PATH, Physicians for Peace, Plan International USA, Population Communication, Project C.U.R.E., Refugees International, Relief International, Save the Children USA, Solar Cookers International, Stop Hunger Now, Water for South Sudan, Women's Refugee Commission, World Concern, World Hope International, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, Zakat Foundation of America

    1. Highlight the concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2017 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures.

    InterAction helped coordinate a No Lost Generation event in Washington DC. This event brought together Syrian refugee youth and US student groups to raise awareness among US policymakers about how children and adolescents are affected by living in protracted conflicts and displacements.

    InterAction contributed to the Global Compact on Refugees via Key Message papers which emphasized the importance of ensuring access to education for refugees, especially school-aged children.

    InterAction houses and provides administrative support to the Basic Education Coalition (https://www.basiced.org/), an independent, non-profit advocacy organization working to ensure that all children around the world have access to a quality basic education.

    2. A. How are you measuring progress toward achieving your commitments? Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Through existing, internal systems or frameworks for monitoring, reporting and/or evaluation.
    B. How are you assessing whether progress on commitments is leading toward change in the direction of the transformation?

    This commitment is not part of the core mission of InterAction. It is a core commitment of InterAction members, leadership towards transformation within this commitment will come from them.

    3. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Funding amounts
    • Funding modalities (earmarking, priorities, yearly agreements, risk aversion measures)
    • Strengthening national/local systems
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    Gaps in education are often perpetuated by weak national/local education systems, often the result of weak governance and economic inequality. NGOs focused on education are often challenged by funding constraints, including funding modalities as in many cases NGOs often find themselves operating education systems on behalf or in lieu of the government.

    4. Highlight actions planned for 2018 to advance implementation of your commitments in order to achieve this transformation.

    InterAction will continue advocating for access to education through involvement in the formal consultations for the Global Compact on Refugees. InterAction will continue to house and provide administrative functions for the Basic Education Coalition,  an independent, non-profit advocacy organization working to ensure that all children around the world have access to a quality basic education.

    5. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Sustained attention from the donor community and Member States.

    Keywords

    Education

  • 4A
    Reinforce, do not replace, national and local systems

    Joint Commitments (6)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • InterAction and 63 members will be open and ready to use evidence-informed approaches, including cash-based programming, in its efforts to be as effective and responsive as possible to the needs of the populations it serves.
    • Advocacy
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

    Partners: Action Against Hunger USA, ActionAid International USA, ADRA International, Airlink, Alliance for Peacebuilding, American Jewish World Service, American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, AmeriCares, Amigos de las Américas, Association of Volunteers in International Service, USA (AVSI USA), BRAC USA, Bread for the World, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, CARE USA, Church World Service, Concern Worldwide (U.S.), Inc., Catholic Relief Services, CBM-US, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Doctors of the World USA, Episcopal Relief & Development, Friends of ACTED, Global Communities, Global Links, Habitat for Humanity International, Handicap International, Headwaters Relief Organization, Heart to Heart International, Helen Keller International, HelpAge USA, International Catholic Migration Commission, iMMAP, InsideNGO, International Medical Corps, International Orthodox Christian Charities, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief USA, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Keystone Human Services International, Life for Relief and Development, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, PATH, Physicians for Peace, Plan International USA, Population Communication, Project C.U.R.E., Refugees International, Relief International, Save the Children USA, Solar Cookers International, Stop Hunger Now, Water for South Sudan, Women's Refugee Commission, World Concern, World Hope International, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, Zakat Foundation of America

    • InterAction and 63 members will collaborate with Government-led response leadership, to the extent that principled humanitarian action permits within any given context.
    • Partnership
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

    Partners: Action Against Hunger USA, ActionAid International USA, ADRA International, Airlink, Alliance for Peacebuilding, American Jewish World Service, American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, AmeriCares, Amigos de las Américas, Association of Volunteers in International Service, USA (AVSI USA), BRAC USA, Bread for the World, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, CARE USA, Church World Service, Concern Worldwide (U.S.), Inc., Catholic Relief Services, CBM-US, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Doctors of the World USA, Episcopal Relief & Development, Friends of ACTED, Global Communities, Global Links, Habitat for Humanity International, Handicap International, Headwaters Relief Organization, Heart to Heart International, Helen Keller International, HelpAge USA, International Catholic Migration Commission, iMMAP, InsideNGO, International Medical Corps, International Orthodox Christian Charities, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief USA, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Keystone Human Services International, Life for Relief and Development, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, PATH, Physicians for Peace, Plan International USA, Population Communication, Project C.U.R.E., Refugees International, Relief International, Save the Children USA, Solar Cookers International, Stop Hunger Now, Water for South Sudan, Women's Refugee Commission, World Concern, World Hope International, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, Zakat Foundation of America

    • InterAction and 63 members will ensure information flow to and from affected people, in order to facilitate their active role in analysis and decision-making about strategic and operational issues from the earliest stages of a humanitarian response.
    • Operational
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

    Partners: Action Against Hunger USA, ActionAid International USA, ADRA International, Airlink, Alliance for Peacebuilding, American Jewish World Service, American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, AmeriCares, Amigos de las Américas, Association of Volunteers in International Service, USA (AVSI USA), BRAC USA, Bread for the World, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, CARE USA, Church World Service, Concern Worldwide (U.S.), Inc., Catholic Relief Services, CBM-US, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Doctors of the World USA, Episcopal Relief & Development, Friends of ACTED, Global Communities, Global Links, Habitat for Humanity International, Handicap International, Headwaters Relief Organization, Heart to Heart International, Helen Keller International, HelpAge USA, International Catholic Migration Commission, iMMAP, InsideNGO, International Medical Corps, International Orthodox Christian Charities, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief USA, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Keystone Human Services International, Life for Relief and Development, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, PATH, Physicians for Peace, Plan International USA, Population Communication, Project C.U.R.E., Refugees International, Relief International, Save the Children USA, Solar Cookers International, Stop Hunger Now, Water for South Sudan, Women's Refugee Commission, World Concern, World Hope International, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, Zakat Foundation of America

    • InterAction and 63 members will go only where needed, ensuring that its support is based on a clear assessment of complementarity with national NGOs, local CSOs and other stakeholders, avoiding acting directly merely for fundraising or media attention goals.
    • Operational
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

    Partners: Action Against Hunger USA, ActionAid International USA, ADRA International, Airlink, Alliance for Peacebuilding, American Jewish World Service, American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, AmeriCares, Amigos de las Américas, Association of Volunteers in International Service, USA (AVSI USA), BRAC USA, Bread for the World, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, CARE USA, Church World Service, Concern Worldwide (U.S.), Inc., Catholic Relief Services, CBM-US, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Doctors of the World USA, Episcopal Relief & Development, Friends of ACTED, Global Communities, Global Links, Habitat for Humanity International, Handicap International, Headwaters Relief Organization, Heart to Heart International, Helen Keller International, HelpAge USA, International Catholic Migration Commission, iMMAP, InsideNGO, International Medical Corps, International Orthodox Christian Charities, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief USA, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Keystone Human Services International, Life for Relief and Development, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, PATH, Physicians for Peace, Plan International USA, Population Communication, Project C.U.R.E., Refugees International, Relief International, Save the Children USA, Solar Cookers International, Stop Hunger Now, Water for South Sudan, Women's Refugee Commission, World Concern, World Hope International, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, Zakat Foundation of America

    • InterAction and 63 members will invest in continuous learning as part of an approach to ensure efforts are always relevant, adaptable, and accountable to people'€™s priorities during crises.


    • Financial
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

    Partners: Action Against Hunger USA, ActionAid International USA, ADRA International, Airlink, Alliance for Peacebuilding, American Jewish World Service, American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, AmeriCares, Amigos de las Américas, Association of Volunteers in International Service, USA (AVSI USA), BRAC USA, Bread for the World, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, CARE USA, Church World Service, Concern Worldwide (U.S.), Inc., Catholic Relief Services, CBM-US, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Doctors of the World USA, Episcopal Relief & Development, Friends of ACTED, Global Communities, Global Links, Habitat for Humanity International, Handicap International, Headwaters Relief Organization, Heart to Heart International, Helen Keller International, HelpAge USA, International Catholic Migration Commission, iMMAP, InsideNGO, International Medical Corps, International Orthodox Christian Charities, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief USA, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Keystone Human Services International, Life for Relief and Development, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, PATH, Physicians for Peace, Plan International USA, Population Communication, Project C.U.R.E., Refugees International, Relief International, Save the Children USA, Solar Cookers International, Stop Hunger Now, Water for South Sudan, Women's Refugee Commission, World Concern, World Hope International, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, Zakat Foundation of America

    • InterAction and 63 members will promote participation in decision-making and the leadership of affected people, especially underrepresented populations, to ensure the humanitarian and development programs and processes are accountable to them.
    • Advocacy
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

    Partners: Action Against Hunger USA, ActionAid International USA, ADRA International, Airlink, Alliance for Peacebuilding, American Jewish World Service, American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, AmeriCares, Amigos de las Américas, Association of Volunteers in International Service, USA (AVSI USA), BRAC USA, Bread for the World, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, CARE USA, Church World Service, Concern Worldwide (U.S.), Inc., Catholic Relief Services, CBM-US, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Doctors of the World USA, Episcopal Relief & Development, Friends of ACTED, Global Communities, Global Links, Habitat for Humanity International, Handicap International, Headwaters Relief Organization, Heart to Heart International, Helen Keller International, HelpAge USA, International Catholic Migration Commission, iMMAP, InsideNGO, International Medical Corps, International Orthodox Christian Charities, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief USA, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Keystone Human Services International, Life for Relief and Development, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, PATH, Physicians for Peace, Plan International USA, Population Communication, Project C.U.R.E., Refugees International, Relief International, Save the Children USA, Solar Cookers International, Stop Hunger Now, Water for South Sudan, Women's Refugee Commission, World Concern, World Hope International, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, Zakat Foundation of America

    Core Commitments (6)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to a new way of working that meets people's immediate humanitarian needs, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years through the achievement of collective outcomes. To achieve this, commit to the following: a) Anticipate, Do Not Wait: to invest in risk analysis and to incentivize early action in order to minimize the impact and frequency of known risks and hazards on people. b) Reinforce, Do Not Replace: to support and invest in local, national and regional leadership, capacity strengthening and response systems, avoiding duplicative international mechanisms wherever possible. c) Preserve and retain emergency capacity: to deliver predictable and flexible urgent and life-saving assistance and protection in accordance with humanitarian principles. d) Transcend Humanitarian-Development Divides: work together, toward collective outcomes that ensure humanitarian needs are met, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years and based on the comparative advantage of a diverse range of actors. The primacy of humanitarian principles will continue to underpin humanitarian action.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • Commit to reinforce national and local leadership and capacities in managing disaster and climate-related risks through strengthened preparedness and predictable response and recovery arrangements.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • Commit to increase investment in building community resilience as a critical first line of response, with the full and effective participation of women.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • Commit to ensure regional and global humanitarian assistance for natural disasters complements national and local efforts.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • Commit to increase substantially and diversify global support and share of resources for humanitarian assistance aimed to address the differentiated needs of populations affected by humanitarian crises in fragile situations and complex emergencies, including increasing cash-based programming in situations where relevant.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
    • Commit to empower national and local humanitarian action by increasing the share of financing accessible to local and national humanitarian actors and supporting the enhancement of their national delivery systems, capacities and preparedness planning.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
    1. Highlight the concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2017 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures.

    Strengthening national/local leadership and systems

    InterAction is implementing Phase II of NGOs and Risk examining how national and local NGOs contend with different types of risk, and how risk is managed within national - international partnerships.

    InterAction incorporates discussions on localization in practice into country-specific and thematic working groups. InterAction’s Protection Working Group convened to discuss lessons learned from localization efforts and discuss relevant initiatives such as the Child Protection AoR’s Preliminary Conceptual Framework for Localization in Child Protection Coordination. As co-chair of the Global Protection Cluster Donor Dialogue, InterAction helped organize an event,“As local as possible, as  international as necessary”.

    InterAction led a discussion with NGO field consortia coordinators on the opportunities and challenges with localization efforts in the field. InterAction continues to integrate “localization” into its existing partnership analysis. InterAction, in partnership with UNHCR and HIAS organisation, incorporated questions related to localization within the 2017 annual UNHCR partnership survey it led. 48% of the NGO respondents identified as a national NGO, survey findings were disaggregated to highlight national NGO responses. For more information see: https://www.interaction.org/sites/default/files/2017%20HIAS-IA%20UNHCR-NGO%20Partnership%20Survey%20General%20Report%20FINAL.pdf ;

    Other-4A

    InterAction missions to Myanmar in March (https://protection.interaction.org/field-mission-report-findings-and-recommendations-from-interaction-protection-mission-to-myanmar-feb-mar-2017/) and May 2017 (https://protection.interaction.org/field-mission-report-strengthening-humanitarian-action-to-address-protection-issues-in-rakhine-myanmar-human-trafficking-a-case-example/) provided recommendations for how humanitarian actors may build and enhance strategic relationships with national actors. InterAction integrates localization considerations into policy and practice missions.

    InterAction highlighted partnerships with local governments by engaging with United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), in disaster risk reduction and humanitarian response. This was followed up by joint integrated programming pilots by InterAction members and local governments.

    InterAction facilitated discussion with local governments, donors, NGOs and UN Agencies to strengthen implementation of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction during the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.

    InterAction accepted its first national NGO Associate Member, Heshima Kenya (now RefuSHE).

    2. A. How are you measuring progress toward achieving your commitments? Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Through existing, internal systems or frameworks for monitoring, reporting and/or evaluation.
    B. How are you assessing whether progress on commitments is leading toward change in the direction of the transformation?

    InterAction constantly assesses and reassess our progress on our commitments, but recognizes the transformational change needed will take years marked by small incremental changes through organizational engagement at all levels.

    3. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Funding modalities (earmarking, priorities, yearly agreements, risk aversion measures)
    • Human resources/capacity
    • Strengthening national/local systems
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    Within InterAction’s field mission and discussions with members on a range of topics, strengthening national/local systems is critical to achieving real transformation within this commitment.  Funding modalities challenge true empowerment of local/national actors and innovative, practical solutions are needed.

    4. Highlight actions planned for 2018 to advance implementation of your commitments in order to achieve this transformation.

    InterAction will carry forward the Risk Phase II research. Field research in 2018 will focus on consultations with local actors at the frontline level. Global level analysis will also include an online survey for national NGOs that will be broadly disseminated to ensure the study captures the broad range of local NGO perspectives.

     

    InterAction will continue efforts to incorporate localization into traditional programming.

    5. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Critical that this conversation become a more wholistic conversation inclusive of real discussion of power dynamics rather than an exercise in simply ensuring more funding to local actors.

     

    Keywords

    Disaster Risk Reduction, Local action

  • 4B
    Anticipate, do not wait, for crises

    Joint Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • InterAction and 63 members will advocate for action on early warning of natural hazard or conflict risks to mitigate the impacts of disasters and other humanitarian crises; wherever feasible, they will use their own resources to undertake early action on early warning, and invest in contingency planning for displacement due to disasters and climate change.
    • Advocacy
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

    Partners: Action Against Hunger USA, ActionAid International USA, ADRA International, Airlink, Alliance for Peacebuilding, American Jewish World Service, American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, AmeriCares, Amigos de las Américas, Association of Volunteers in International Service, USA (AVSI USA), BRAC USA, Bread for the World, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, CARE USA, Church World Service, Concern Worldwide (U.S.), Inc., Catholic Relief Services, CBM-US, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Doctors of the World USA, Episcopal Relief & Development, Friends of ACTED, Global Communities, Global Links, Habitat for Humanity International, Handicap International, Headwaters Relief Organization, Heart to Heart International, Helen Keller International, HelpAge USA, International Catholic Migration Commission, iMMAP, InsideNGO, International Medical Corps, International Orthodox Christian Charities, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief USA, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Keystone Human Services International, Life for Relief and Development, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, PATH, Physicians for Peace, Plan International USA, Population Communication, Project C.U.R.E., Refugees International, Relief International, Save the Children USA, Solar Cookers International, Stop Hunger Now, Water for South Sudan, Women's Refugee Commission, World Concern, World Hope International, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, Zakat Foundation of America

    Core Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to a new way of working that meets people's immediate humanitarian needs, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years through the achievement of collective outcomes. To achieve this, commit to the following: a) Anticipate, Do Not Wait: to invest in risk analysis and to incentivize early action in order to minimize the impact and frequency of known risks and hazards on people. b) Reinforce, Do Not Replace: to support and invest in local, national and regional leadership, capacity strengthening and response systems, avoiding duplicative international mechanisms wherever possible. c) Preserve and retain emergency capacity: to deliver predictable and flexible urgent and life-saving assistance and protection in accordance with humanitarian principles. d) Transcend Humanitarian-Development Divides: work together, toward collective outcomes that ensure humanitarian needs are met, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years and based on the comparative advantage of a diverse range of actors. The primacy of humanitarian principles will continue to underpin humanitarian action.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • Commit to improve the understanding, anticipation and preparedness for disaster and climate-related risks by investing in data, analysis and early warning, and developing evidence-based decision-making processes that result in early action.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    1. Highlight the concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2017 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures.

    InterAction co-hosted a roundtable, “Protection of Civilians in Mosul:Identifying Lessons for Contingency Planning,” which brought together Iraqi Embassy officials, U.S. policymakers, military officials, and humanitarian actors to reflect on measures taken to address protection concerns during the Mosul military operations. An outcome report highlighted recommendations for enhancing the protection of civilians in major military operations

    InterAction launched recommendations for the U.S. Congress, intended to educate legislators about measures to mitigate harm to civilians in U.S. military operations and security partnerships; aspects of these recommendations were reflected in the fiscal year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

    InterAction’s Yemen Working Group (WG) finalized an action plan for the second half of 2017 that focuses the group’s activities on access constraints and the impact of rapidly deteriorating humanitarian conditions. The Syria/Iraq WG prioritized activities on renewing UNSC Resolution 2165 (cross-border resolution), humanitarian access, partner vetting, as well as bank de-risking issues. With respect to Iraq, the group is monitoring implications from the recent Kurdish referendum, and humanitarian priorities arising from forthcoming military offenses.

    InterAction highlighted the importance of partnerships with local governments via United Cities and Local Governments, an umbrella organization for cities, local and regional governments, and municipal associations, in disaster risk reduction and humanitarian response. This was followed up by joint integrated programming pilots by InterAction members and local governments.

    InterAction facilitated discussion with local governments, donors, NGOs and UN Agencies to strengthen implementation of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction during the Global Platform for DRR.

    2. A. How are you measuring progress toward achieving your commitments? Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Through existing, internal systems or frameworks for monitoring, reporting and/or evaluation.
    B. How are you assessing whether progress on commitments is leading toward change in the direction of the transformation?

    Roundtable discussions are assessed through participant evaluations, as well as formal surveys of the outcome reports.

    3. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Human resources/capacity
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    InterAction member staff confront multiple competing priorities, meaning there is often little time or capacity to engage in proactive efforts rather than reactive actions.

    4. Highlight actions planned for 2018 to advance implementation of your commitments in order to achieve this transformation.

    • InterAction will continue to organize multi-stakeholder roundtable discussions on the protection of civilians, including a dialogue on measures to improve the conduct of U.S. partner forces.
    • InterAction will continue to engage and advocate to strengthen preparedness, response and recovery in 2018.

    5. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Better information sharing between the field and headquarters could enable more efficient and better-informed analysis for advocacy and policy dialogue purposes.

    6. List any good practice or examples of innovation undertaken individually or in cooperation with others to advance this transformation.

    InterAction is working with its members to proactively engage U.S. government representatives to improve policy and practice on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

    Keywords

    Disaster Risk Reduction

  • 4C
    Deliver collective outcomes: transcend humanitarian-development divides

    Joint Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • InterAction and 63 members will invest time and resources to continue to improve the connectivity between humanitarian and development programs within member organizations. Where needed, InterAction and 63 members will make high level systems changes to its structures and ways of working to ensure those served benefit from an approach that integrates humanitarian and development elements.
    • Partnership
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

    Partners: Action Against Hunger USA, ActionAid International USA, ADRA International, Airlink, Alliance for Peacebuilding, American Jewish World Service, American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, AmeriCares, Amigos de las Américas, Association of Volunteers in International Service, USA (AVSI USA), BRAC USA, Bread for the World, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, CARE USA, Church World Service, Concern Worldwide (U.S.), Inc., Catholic Relief Services, CBM-US, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Doctors of the World USA, Episcopal Relief & Development, Friends of ACTED, Global Communities, Global Links, Habitat for Humanity International, Handicap International, Headwaters Relief Organization, Heart to Heart International, Helen Keller International, HelpAge USA, International Catholic Migration Commission, iMMAP, InsideNGO, International Medical Corps, International Orthodox Christian Charities, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief USA, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Keystone Human Services International, Life for Relief and Development, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, PATH, Physicians for Peace, Plan International USA, Population Communication, Project C.U.R.E., Refugees International, Relief International, Save the Children USA, Solar Cookers International, Stop Hunger Now, Water for South Sudan, Women's Refugee Commission, World Concern, World Hope International, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, Zakat Foundation of America

    • InterAction and 63 members will make data and analysis the basis and driver for determining a common understanding of context, needs and capacities, reporting data into a common reporting platform accessible to all actors.
    • Operational
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

    Partners: Action Against Hunger USA, ActionAid International USA, ADRA International, Airlink, Alliance for Peacebuilding, American Jewish World Service, American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, AmeriCares, Amigos de las Américas, Association of Volunteers in International Service, USA (AVSI USA), BRAC USA, Bread for the World, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, CARE USA, Church World Service, Concern Worldwide (U.S.), Inc., Catholic Relief Services, CBM-US, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Doctors of the World USA, Episcopal Relief & Development, Friends of ACTED, Global Communities, Global Links, Habitat for Humanity International, Handicap International, Headwaters Relief Organization, Heart to Heart International, Helen Keller International, HelpAge USA, International Catholic Migration Commission, iMMAP, InsideNGO, International Medical Corps, International Orthodox Christian Charities, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief USA, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Keystone Human Services International, Life for Relief and Development, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, PATH, Physicians for Peace, Plan International USA, Population Communication, Project C.U.R.E., Refugees International, Relief International, Save the Children USA, Solar Cookers International, Stop Hunger Now, Water for South Sudan, Women's Refugee Commission, World Concern, World Hope International, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, Zakat Foundation of America

    Core Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to a new way of working that meets people's immediate humanitarian needs, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years through the achievement of collective outcomes. To achieve this, commit to the following: a) Anticipate, Do Not Wait: to invest in risk analysis and to incentivize early action in order to minimize the impact and frequency of known risks and hazards on people. b) Reinforce, Do Not Replace: to support and invest in local, national and regional leadership, capacity strengthening and response systems, avoiding duplicative international mechanisms wherever possible. c) Preserve and retain emergency capacity: to deliver predictable and flexible urgent and life-saving assistance and protection in accordance with humanitarian principles. d) Transcend Humanitarian-Development Divides: work together, toward collective outcomes that ensure humanitarian needs are met, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years and based on the comparative advantage of a diverse range of actors. The primacy of humanitarian principles will continue to underpin humanitarian action.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    1. Highlight the concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2017 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures.

    Other-4C

    InterAction continues to prioritize development and humanitarian collaboration internally and engagement with a broad array of actors. Much of InterAction’s efforts focused on transparency and open-data in humanitarian action has been informed by InterAction open data programs with development focused NGOs. InterAction prepared a concept note for open-data in humanitarian action using a change model developed and refined through its Initiative for Open-Agricultural Funding (https://www.interaction.org/project/open-ag-funding/overview).

    InterAction continues to pursue innovative advocacy strategies that target a broad range of influencers in the development and security sectors. 

    InterAction facilitated discussions to strengthen implementation of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) during the Global Platform for DRR. InterAction will continue to engage in monitoring of the SFDRR and the role of preparedness and response in disaster- and conflict-prone countries.

     

    Joined-up humanitarian-development analysis and planning towards collective outcomes

    InterAction participated in a number of high level events related to the New Way of Working (NWOW) and organized an NGO consultation on efforts to define and operationalize NWOW and the humanitarian-development nexus (HDN). InterAction is also an active participant in the IASC Task Team on HDN.

    InterAction  continues to be deeply involved in policy and practice discussion on how to take longer-term, development-oriented approaches to refugee assistance through UNHCR’s Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) application. InterAction is on UNHCR’s CRRF NGO taskforce and convenes its members to discuss these issues. InterAction has advocated around comprehensive and longer-term approaches to assisting refugees and host communities through its inputs into the process to develop a Global Compact on Refugees.

    2. A. How are you measuring progress toward achieving your commitments? Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Through existing, internal systems or frameworks for monitoring, reporting and/or evaluation.
    B. How are you assessing whether progress on commitments is leading toward change in the direction of the transformation?

    InterAction constantly assesses and reassess our progress on our commitments, but recognize the transformational change needed will take years marked by small incremental changes through organizational engagement at all levels.

    3. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Funding modalities (earmarking, priorities, yearly agreements, risk aversion measures)
    • Human resources/capacity
    • Multi-stakeholder coordination
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    InterAction member staff confront multiple competing priorities, meaning there is often little time or capacity to engage in proactive efforts rather than reactive actions. This is exacerbated by disorganization globally i.e. numerous and often incongruent processes attempting to address this issue.

    4. Highlight actions planned for 2018 to advance implementation of your commitments in order to achieve this transformation.

    InterAction will continue its leadership role within the NGO community and work towards continued progress towards fulfilling our collective commitments.

     

    5. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Clarity on what the collective is working to achieve, practical processes detached from broader UN reform initiatives, pragmatic approaches which connect but are not dependent upon outcomes related to the Sustainable Development goals. 

    Keywords

    Displacement, Humanitarian-development nexus

  • 5A
    Invest in local capacities

    Joint Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility

    • InterAction and 63 members will develop concrete organizational targets to increase direct and predictable financing to national and local actors, and advocate for long-term support to develop such actors'€™ capacity to seek and manage funds and mitigate accompanying risks (including financial, security, safety, reputational, and legal).


    • Operational
    • Invest in Humanity

    Partners: Action Against Hunger USA, ActionAid International USA, ADRA International, Airlink, Alliance for Peacebuilding, American Jewish World Service, American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, AmeriCares, Amigos de las Américas, Association of Volunteers in International Service, USA (AVSI USA), BRAC USA, Bread for the World, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, CARE USA, Church World Service, Concern Worldwide (U.S.), Inc., Catholic Relief Services, CBM-US, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Doctors of the World USA, Episcopal Relief & Development, Friends of ACTED, Global Communities, Global Links, Habitat for Humanity International, Handicap International, Headwaters Relief Organization, Heart to Heart International, Helen Keller International, HelpAge USA, International Catholic Migration Commission, iMMAP, InsideNGO, International Medical Corps, International Orthodox Christian Charities, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief USA, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Keystone Human Services International, Life for Relief and Development, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, PATH, Physicians for Peace, Plan International USA, Population Communication, Project C.U.R.E., Refugees International, Relief International, Save the Children USA, Solar Cookers International, Stop Hunger Now, Water for South Sudan, Women's Refugee Commission, World Concern, World Hope International, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, Zakat Foundation of America

    • InterAction and 63 members will invest in the long-term capacity of its NGO and CSO partners, raising their profile through greater transparency on partnership arrangements.
    • Financial
    • Invest in Humanity

    Partners: Action Against Hunger USA, ActionAid International USA, ADRA International, Airlink, Alliance for Peacebuilding, American Jewish World Service, American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, AmeriCares, Amigos de las Américas, Association of Volunteers in International Service, USA (AVSI USA), BRAC USA, Bread for the World, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, CARE USA, Church World Service, Concern Worldwide (U.S.), Inc., Catholic Relief Services, CBM-US, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Doctors of the World USA, Episcopal Relief & Development, Friends of ACTED, Global Communities, Global Links, Habitat for Humanity International, Handicap International, Headwaters Relief Organization, Heart to Heart International, Helen Keller International, HelpAge USA, International Catholic Migration Commission, iMMAP, InsideNGO, International Medical Corps, International Orthodox Christian Charities, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief USA, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Keystone Human Services International, Life for Relief and Development, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, PATH, Physicians for Peace, Plan International USA, Population Communication, Project C.U.R.E., Refugees International, Relief International, Save the Children USA, Solar Cookers International, Stop Hunger Now, Water for South Sudan, Women's Refugee Commission, World Concern, World Hope International, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, Zakat Foundation of America

    Core Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to empower national and local humanitarian action by increasing the share of financing accessible to local and national humanitarian actors and supporting the enhancement of their national delivery systems, capacities and preparedness planning.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
    1. Highlight the concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2017 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures.

    Other-5A

    InterAction missions to Myanmar in March and May 2017 provided recommendations for how humanitarian actors may build and enhance strategic relationships with national actors.

    The Protection Working Group meeting in July included a briefing and discussion on “Localization in Child Protection”, from the Global Child Protection Area of Responsibility (CP AoR), which is currently exploring how the humanitarian coordination system can better support individual actors and networks’ localization initiatives. 

    InterAction facilitated discussion with local governments, donors, NGOs and UN Agencies to strengthen implementation of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction during the Global Platform for DRR.

     

    InterAction highlighted the importance of partnerships with local governments via United Cities and Local Governments, an umbrella organization for cities, local and regional governments, and municipal associations, in disaster risk reduction and humanitarian response. This was followed up by joint integrated programming pilots by InterAction members and local governments.

     

    Addressing blockages/challenges to direct investments at the national/local level

    InterAction led discussion with NGO field consortia coordinators on the opportunities and challenges with localization efforts in the field. InterAction continues to integrate “localization” into its existing partnership analysis. InterAction, in partnership with UNHCR and HIAS, incorporated questions related to localization within the 2017 annual UNHCR partnership survey it led. 48% of the NGO respondents identified as a national NGO, survey findings were disaggregated to highlight national NGO responses.

    InterAction accepted its first national NGO Associate Member, Heshima Kenya (now RefuSHE), whom InterAction had previously facilitated in a peer-to-peer learning initiative.  

    As co-chair of the Global Protection Cluster Donor Dialogue, InterAction helped organize an event, “As local as possible, as  international as necessary”.

    2. A. How are you measuring progress toward achieving your commitments? Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Through existing, internal systems or frameworks for monitoring, reporting and/or evaluation.
    B. How are you assessing whether progress on commitments is leading toward change in the direction of the transformation?

    InterAction constantly assess and reassess our progress on our commitments and recognizes that transformational change will take years marked by small incremental changes through organizational change at all levels.

    3. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Funding amounts
    • Funding modalities (earmarking, priorities, yearly agreements, risk aversion measures)
    • Strengthening national/local systems
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    Within InterAction’s field mission and discussions with members on a range of topics, strengthening national/local systems is critical to achieving real transformation within this commitment.  Funding modalities challenge true empowerment of local/national actors and innovative, practical solutions are needed.

    4. Highlight actions planned for 2018 to advance implementation of your commitments in order to achieve this transformation.

    InterAction will continue carrying forward the Risk Phase II research. Global level analysis will also include an online survey for national NGOs that will be broadly disseminated to ensure the study captures the broad range of local NGO perspectives. The study findings will be available in early 2019 and briefings will be held with key stakeholders (including local actors).

    InterAction will continue efforts to incorporate localization into traditional programming.

    5. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    It is critical that this conversation become a more wholistic conversation inclusive of real discussion of power dynamics rather than an exercise in simply ensuring more funding to local actors.

    Keywords

    Disaster Risk Reduction, Local action

  • 5E
    Diversify the resource base and increase cost-efficiency

    Joint Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • InterAction and 63 members will develop and implement more transparent program planning and reporting processes, in alignment with IATI standards, to drive efficiency gains and reduce duplicative costs.
    • Operational
    • Invest in Humanity

    Partners: Action Against Hunger USA, ActionAid International USA, ADRA International, Airlink, Alliance for Peacebuilding, American Jewish World Service, American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, AmeriCares, Amigos de las Américas, Association of Volunteers in International Service, USA (AVSI USA), BRAC USA, Bread for the World, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, CARE USA, Church World Service, Concern Worldwide (U.S.), Inc., Catholic Relief Services, CBM-US, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Doctors of the World USA, Episcopal Relief & Development, Friends of ACTED, Global Communities, Global Links, Habitat for Humanity International, Handicap International, Headwaters Relief Organization, Heart to Heart International, Helen Keller International, HelpAge USA, International Catholic Migration Commission, iMMAP, InsideNGO, International Medical Corps, International Orthodox Christian Charities, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief USA, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Keystone Human Services International, Life for Relief and Development, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, PATH, Physicians for Peace, Plan International USA, Population Communication, Project C.U.R.E., Refugees International, Relief International, Save the Children USA, Solar Cookers International, Stop Hunger Now, Water for South Sudan, Women's Refugee Commission, World Concern, World Hope International, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, Zakat Foundation of America

    • InterAction and 63 members will work with donors to support NGO-led financing mechanisms, collaborating amongst members and with national NGOs to ensure that funding is effectively disbursed to NGO actors.
    • Financial
    • Invest in Humanity

    Partners: Action Against Hunger USA, ActionAid International USA, ADRA International, Airlink, Alliance for Peacebuilding, American Jewish World Service, American Red Cross, American Refugee Committee, AmeriCares, Amigos de las Américas, Association of Volunteers in International Service, USA (AVSI USA), BRAC USA, Bread for the World, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, CARE USA, Church World Service, Concern Worldwide (U.S.), Inc., Catholic Relief Services, CBM-US, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Doctors of the World USA, Episcopal Relief & Development, Friends of ACTED, Global Communities, Global Links, Habitat for Humanity International, Handicap International, Headwaters Relief Organization, Heart to Heart International, Helen Keller International, HelpAge USA, International Catholic Migration Commission, iMMAP, InsideNGO, International Medical Corps, International Orthodox Christian Charities, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief USA, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Keystone Human Services International, Life for Relief and Development, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, PATH, Physicians for Peace, Plan International USA, Population Communication, Project C.U.R.E., Refugees International, Relief International, Save the Children USA, Solar Cookers International, Stop Hunger Now, Water for South Sudan, Women's Refugee Commission, World Concern, World Hope International, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, World Neighbors, World Renew, World Vision, Zakat Foundation of America

    Core Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to increase substantially and diversify global support and share of resources for humanitarian assistance aimed to address the differentiated needs of populations affected by humanitarian crises in fragile situations and complex emergencies, including increasing cash-based programming in situations where relevant.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
    • Commit to promote and increase predictable, multi-year, unearmarked, collaborative and flexible humanitarian funding toward greater efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability of humanitarian action for affected people.
    • Invest in Humanity
    1. Highlight the concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2017 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures.

    InterAction continues to advocate for more streamlined and responsive humanitarian financing and implementation. InterAction published a policy paper on U.S. Government Humanitarian Reform Outcomes which highlighted recommended outcomes that would lead to improvements in U.S. humanitarian assistance in terms of efficiency, quality and effectiveness. InterAction prepared the paper in consultation with 15 NGOs. Recommendations included efforts to review, simplify and harmonize reporting mechanisms, funding instruments for the rapid and streamlined distribution of unearmarked funds, increased multi-year funding, and decreased reliance on pass-through mechanisms and improved partnership agreements, among others.

    InterAction continues to advocate for and support efforts to improve partnerships, advocating for streamlined processes and reduced burdens. InterAction facilitated multiple conversations between members and UNHCR to look at ways to improve cost efficiency within partnerships as well as two NGO consultations on the UN partner portal. InterAction facilitated 12 NGO participants in the portal pilot. InterAction included the partner portal into its ongoing partnership analysis. InterAction hosted the new Executive Director of WFP and his senior staff to further discuss NGO/WFP partnerships, from common global objectives to the new WFP field-level Agreements and budget templates.

    InterAction contributes to global discussions on this topic within the IASC at the Principals and task team levels. InterAction has invested significant time in improving cost efficiency by advancing the Grand Bargain (GB), particularly through its role on the GB Facilitation Group.

    InterAction collaborated closely with OFDA and UNOCHA to streamline communication with members to help improve information management in a cost-efficient manner.

    2. A. How are you measuring progress toward achieving your commitments? Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Through existing, internal systems or frameworks for monitoring, reporting and/or evaluation.
    B. How are you assessing whether progress on commitments is leading toward change in the direction of the transformation?

    InterAction constantly assesses and reassess our progress on our commitments but recognize the transformational change needed will take years marked by small incremental changes through organizational engagement at all levels.

    3. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Human resources/capacity
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    Many organization are stretched between multiple priorities and lack the dedicated capacity to focus on diversifying the resource base at a collective level and sustaining focused attention on improving cost efficiencies.

    4. Highlight actions planned for 2018 to advance implementation of your commitments in order to achieve this transformation.

    InterAction will continue to convene NGOs around this important subject and engage in global discussions on it.

    5. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    • Clear definitions/targets/tracking mechanism to make efficiency gains clear.
    • Improved financial transparency at a collective level is critical to developing a strategy to diversify the resource base.

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