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Self Report 2017

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.

2C
Speak out on violations

Core Commitment

  • What led your organization to make the commitment?

    Christian Aid’s focus is on the participation of affected communities and supporting local leadership of humanitarian response and of efforts to reduce disaster risk and build resilience. Within three months of the WHS, it embarked on a new global advocacy strategy which not only advances this, but also addresses previous gaps in relation to humanitarian protection of civilians, and within this, humanitarian access and safety. It also responds to the need to strengthen consistency and coherence in advocacy response.

  • Achievements at a glance

    CA agreed a new global advocacy strategy that included these new commitments within three months of the WHS. It identified specific action to deliver on first annual commitment within six months of the WHS to “Pilot strengthened local humanitarian access and protection in one country by Dec 2016” . This included playing a lead role with ACT Alliance’s Haiti members and the rest of the global ACT Alliance in triggering and piloting ACT Alliance’s Urgent Advocacy Call, in response to Hurricane Matthew in Haiti. We also stepped up the timeliness of our advocacy response to escalating food insecurity and the under-reported but escalating crises in North East Nigeria, Kenya and South Sudan as a result of drought, conflict or both, as well as forced displacement from Pakistan to Afghanistan.

  • How is your organization assessing progress

    We are currently measuring: the number and type of crises, in countries where CA has partners, to which we contribute an advocacy response; the timeliness of that response and the coherence of our messages. Over time we will measure to what extent CA strengthens the participation of local communities in global advocacy and how this contributes to preventing the erosion of international law and tackling impunity. As this strengthens, Christian Aid should consider how this work might contribute to broader efforts led by ICRC and States for an IHL Forum.

  • Challenges faced in implementation

    The lack of systematic and active respect across UN Security Council members for Article 1 of the Geneva Conventions, undermines the centrality of protection promoted by the UN and its organs.
    The lack of direct funding for local and national actors undertaking protection work undermines the ability to document violations of IHL, and strengthen resilience to risks related to those violations.

  • Next step to advance implementation in 2017

    Build protection advocacy with partners in at least two countries by 2017, including through relevant activities of the ECHO-funded Accelerating Localisation through Partnerships with the Grand Bargain localization workstream and in particular IFRC.

  • If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Speak out on violations', what would it be

    Be bolder in actively providing an influential and safe space for local actors to promote the importance of using IHL as a tool for protection; and for States to call on the International Law Commission to develop guidance on the prevention of the arbitrary withholding of consent to humanitarian relief.

  • Cross cutting issues

    Accountability to affected people Humanitarian principles

  • Specific initiatives

    Grand Bargain

  • Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

    2E - Uphold the rules: a global campaign to affirm the norms that safeguard humanity 4A - Reinforce, do not replace, national and local systems

2D
Take concrete steps to improve compliance and accountability

Individual Commitment

Core Commitment

  • What led your organization to make the commitment?

    CA produced its first Gender Justice Strategy two years prior to the WHS because we believe that gender discrimination is a fundamental driver and cause of poverty. Commitments also fall under its Strategic Framework as well as externally under the Call to Action and The Inclusion Charter. The 2015 regional review of the Gender Justice Strategy and the 2016 annual summary review on gender noted, that despite increased knowledge and support on gender sensitive programming, application organisationally and at field level was still not systematic; there were gaps in data disaggregation, analysis and application.

  • Achievements at a glance

     Tackling Violence Building Peace Strategy (TVBP ) released in November 2016 with all programmatic outcomes promoting gender equality, one of three programme impact outcomes focusing on reduction of GBV and with an emphasis on resilience.
     The Gender Strategy was refreshed and launched on 10 January 2017 with a more inclusive definition of gender and with GBV secured as an ongoing objective.
     Inclusion Guidance note, Practice Paper, checklists and scoring tools released on inclusive programming approach.
     129 CA staff and partners trained on inclusive programming since June 2016.Training materials piloted in x2 regional programming workshops with gender focal points in Asia and Africa and a programme inception workshop in Ireland.
     Continued input into Call to Action initiative with increased number of commitments and participation at annual conference in Geneva, March 2017.
     E-Induction modules on gender sensitivity and inclusive programming ready to be launched.

  • How is your organization assessing progress

    Global summaries are produced annually on the strategic change objectives. The “Equality for All” Strategic Change Objective (SCO) pulls together country reporting –resulting in a summary highlighting gender and inclusion. The annual humanitarian progress report feeds into this. A gender scoring tool, adapted from the Gender and Age Marker has been used with the Programme Funding Team to assess level of gender sensitivity but this has not been systematic. The scoring tool has now been adapted to score for inclusive programming and discussions are underway to systematise application and monitoring.

  • Challenges faced in implementation

    Despite corporate priorities on gender and inequality, internal funds have been reduced for the next annual year. The DFID Programme Partnership Arrangement (PPA) provided the bulk of flexible funding last year to kick start the inclusive programming roll out which has now come to an end, with no replacement in sight. Corporate gender and inclusion technical staff are largely on fixed term contracts with no clear agenda for 2018 and beyond leading to inevitable short term planning arrangements for gender strategy. Staff restructuring due to reduced financial climate may have an ongoing impact.

  • Next step to advance implementation in 2017

     Building strong Gender and Power analysis into all programme design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and learning through updated and simplified tools/guidance.
     Strengthening links with power, resilience and Core Humanitarian Standard internally through joint visits, programme tools and trainings.
     Tailored training on assessment tools to programme funding team and systematic application of the inclusion scoring tool.
     TVBP programming framework (including GBV) completed by September 2017
     Research on best practice in GBV in states affected by violence and fragility finalised by September 2017.
     Inclusive Programming Approach final regional pilot completed by April 2017 (LAC)

  • If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Take concrete steps to improve compliance and accountability', what would it be

    Improvements in gender equality and reduction in GBV depend on translating international policy, processes, and guidance into field implementation. Inclusion of CSOs and local NGOs in coordination mechanisms and funding streams is vital; international efforts must not by-pass or establish parallel processes to those which exist nationally or locally.

  • Cross cutting issues

    Disability Gender

  • Specific initiatives

    Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action The Inclusion Charter

  • Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

    3D - Empower and protect women and girls

2E
Uphold the rules: a global campaign to affirm the norms that safeguard humanity

Individual Commitment

Core Commitment

  • What led your organization to make the commitment?

    Our country programmes and national and local partners frequently demand action in this vein.

  • Achievements at a glance

    CA is gradually strengthening more timely advocacy response to disasters eg advocating to ECHO for aid and a more timely response to forced displacement from Pakistan to Afghanistan; preparing a joint ACT Alliance Call for Haiti before the typhoon made landfall.
    These required new and timely approaches to internal dialogue about advocacy during preparedness and in discussions for Alert Notes and use of Code 2 funds, not only in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The incorporation of advocacy protection is under discussion for Nigeria, while significant preparations are underway for the Oslo donors conference in February.

  • How is your organization assessing progress

    We have appointed a focal point to be responsible for reporting back progress on each WHS commitment.

  • Challenges faced in implementation

    Because our ACT Alliance urgent advocacy mechanism was a new tool, there were teething problems the first time we tried to activate it in Haiti, with some parts of the ACT system being slow to respond owing to lack of familiarity.

  • Next step to advance implementation in 2017

    Systematic amplification requires a collective ACT Alliance approach. We piloted the ACT Alliance Urgent Advocacy Call for the Haiti response with clarity of calls and enthusiasm from the ACT Haiti Forum. ACT Alliance roles will need to be further ironed out.

  • If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Uphold the rules: a global campaign to affirm the norms that safeguard humanity', what would it be

    We need to change the narrative amongst media, politicians and public through more robust and focused advocacy, analysis and communications.

  • Cross cutting issues

    Accountability to affected people IDPs Refugees

  • Specific initiatives

    Risk and Vulnerability Data Platform

  • Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

    4B - Anticipate, do not wait, for crises

3A
Reduce and address displacement

Individual Commitment

Core Commitment

  • What led your organization to make the commitment?

    Our supporters are gravely concerned about the attitude to refugees being shown by the British Government, media and public.

  • Achievements at a glance

    We have launched an energetic campaign to shift the public narrative on refugees in the UK and EU.

  • How is your organization assessing progress

    Refugee response is one of our six corporate strategic priorities that are monitored against specific indicators on a six-monthly basis by our Board of Directors.

  • Next step to advance implementation in 2017

    Preparation for the UN meetings in 2018.

  • If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Reduce and address displacement', what would it be

    Robust and imaginative advocacy, analysis and communications.

  • Cross cutting issues

    Refugees

3D
Empower and protect women and girls

Individual Commitment

Core Commitment

  • What led your organization to make the commitment?

    CA produced its first Gender Justice Strategy two years prior to the WHS because we believe that gender discrimination is a fundamental driver and cause of poverty. Commitments also fall under its Strategic Framework as well as externally under the Call to Action and The Inclusion Charter. The 2015 regional review of the Gender Justice Strategy and the 2016 annual summary review on gender noted, that despite increased knowledge and support on gender sensitive programming, application organisationally and at field level was still not systematic; there were gaps in data disaggregation, analysis and application.

  • Achievements at a glance

     TVBP Strategy released in November 2016 with all programmatic outcomes promoting gender equality, one of three programme impact outcomes focusing on reduction of GBV and with an emphasis on resilience.
     The Gender Strategy was refreshed and launched on 10 January 2017 with a more inclusive definition of gender and with GBV secured as an ongoing objective.
     Inclusion Guidance note, Practice Paper, checklists and scoring tools released on inclusive programming approach.
     129 CA staff and partners trained on inclusive programming since June 2016.Training materials piloted in x2 regional programming workshops with gender focal points in Asia and Africa and a programme inception workshop in Ireland.
     Continued input into Call to Action initiative with increased number of commitments and participation at annual conference in Geneva, March 2017.
     E-Induction modules on gender sensitivity and inclusive programming ready to be launched.
     Regional Gender and Inclusion Advisory .

  • How is your organization assessing progress

    Global summaries are produced annually on the strategic change objectives. The “Equality for All” Strategic Change Objective (SCO) pulls together country reporting –resulting in a summary highlighting gender and inclusion. The annual humanitarian progress report feeds into this. A gender scoring tool, adapted from the Gender and Age Marker has been used with the Programme Funding Team to assess level of gender sensitivity but this has not been systematic. The scoring tool has now been adapted to score for inclusive programming and discussions are underway to systematise application and monitoring.

  • Challenges faced in implementation

    Despite corporate priorities on gender and inequality, internal funds have been reduced for the next annual year. The DFID Programme Partnership Arrangement (PPA) provided the bulk of flexible funding last year to kick start the inclusive programming roll out which has now come to an end, with no replacement in sight. Corporate gender and inclusion technical staff are largely on fixed term contracts with no clear agenda for 2018 and beyond leading to inevitable short term planning arrangements for gender strategy. Staff restructuring due to reduced financial climate may have an ongoing impact.

  • Next step to advance implementation in 2017

     Building strong Gender and Power analysis into all programme design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and learning through updated and simplified tools/guidance.
     Strengthening links with power, resilience and CHS internally through joint visits, programme tools and training.
     Tailored training on assessment tools to programme funding team and systematic application of the inclusion scoring tool.
     Tackling Violence and Building Peace (TVBP) programming framework (including GBV) completed by September 2017
     Research on best practice in GBV in states affected by violence and fragility finalised by September 2017.
     Inclusive Programming Approach final regional pilot completed by April 2017 (LAC)

  • If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Empower and protect women and girls', what would it be

    Improvements in gender equality and reduction in GBV depend on translating international policy, processes, and guidance into field implementation. Inclusion of CSOs and local NGOs in coordination mechanisms and funding streams is vital.

  • Cross cutting issues

    Disability Gender

  • Specific initiatives

    Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action The Inclusion Charter

  • Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

    2D - Take concrete steps to improve compliance and accountability

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

Joint Commitment

Individual Commitment

Core Commitment

  • What led your organization to make the commitment?

    Christian Aid has always been committed towards working with local organisations. Our partnership principles are 1) Compatibility; shared goals and values, 2) Strengthening not weakening, 3) Clarity on terms of the relationship, and 4) Mutual Accountability and Transparency. These are stated in partnership agreements. These principles are largely in line with the Humanitarian Principles. Where they differ they very much reflect CA’s values and ways of working. As such endorsing and signing up to them was a rather logical thing to do. The commitment is towards ensuring these principles are being practiced and embedded in our organisational guidance and practice.

  • Achievements at a glance

    In 2016 the Linking Preparedness, Response and Resilience (LPRR) has:
    - Developed a new ‘Integrated Conflict Prevention and Resilience’ (ICPR) approach together with Saferworld and 5 other humanitarian agencies to make resilience programmes conflict sensitive
    - Rolled out and testing the ICPR in 4 countries (Kenya, Pakistan, Myanmar and Honduras)
    - Completed a research with King's College London (KCL) on 6 past humanitarian emergencies to understand how to strengthen or not undermine community resilience
    - Guidance has been developed to carry out partnership reviews which includes a tool to systematically review our partnership principles. Additionally new guidance has been developed for conducting partnership assessments and partner portfolio review. This new guidance has been rolled out globally as part of a new partner monitoring policy. Accompanying 1 week ToT trainings was conducted in Ghana (July) and Kenya (Nov) targeting finance and programme colleagues from all our country offices in Africa.

  • How is your organization assessing progress

    The LPRR progress is measured against the project logframe, Theory of Change and workplan. Project reports (narrative and financial) are produced quarterly and shared with the consortium members and submitted to Start Network who is managing the Disasters and Emergencies Preparedness Programme (DEPP). Project impact will be assessed through outcome harvesting methodology developed by the project.

  • Challenges faced in implementation

    - The implementation of the ICPR in Pakistan faced challenges and delays due to World Vision Pakistan (implementing partner) failure to obtain the national registration and permission to work on the ground due to the Government ostracism towards INGOs.
    - The KCL research faced some delays due to complex logistic unexpected backstops such as health issues.
    - The small project team covers several roles which slow down the advancement of activities.
    - The small project budget (1M£) for a consortium project means that some members do not engage actively as they do not receive direct compensation for their role.

  • Next step to advance implementation in 2017

    In 2017 the LPRR plans to:
    - Transform the KCL research findings in a model and training package
    - Roll out the model in Kenya and Myanmar
    - Test the model in real humanitarian responses in Kenya and Myanmar
    - Evaluate the humanitarian response to validate the model
    - Evaluate the ICPR pilots in Kenya and Pakistan
    - Develop a coherent LPRR approach (conflict and response)
    - Capture and share learning (paper, blogs, academic papers, presentation to forum)
    - Advocate for its use within the consortium members and the sector

  • If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Reinforce, do not replace, national and local systems', what would it be

    We need strong local partners, not strong projects. If we are to develop the capacity of local partners, we will have to commit resources over a long period of time and beyond the immediate needs to implement projects effectively. In the current funding climate this poses an enormous challenge

  • Cross cutting issues

    Humanitarian principles

  • Specific initiatives

    Charter for Change Commitment to Action: Transcending the humanitarian - development divide

  • Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

    5A - Invest in local capacities

4B
Anticipate, do not wait, for crises

Individual Commitment

Core Commitment

  • What led your organization to make the commitment?

    Evidence across a range of resilience-building initiatives demonstrate a loss reducing cost-benefit of $4-7 for every $1 spent for those directly affected by a shock or hazard, and $5-10 saved in reduced humanitarian emergency costs (WB). The Humanitarian Trends and Trajectories to 2030 say that by 2030, up to 325 million extremely poor people will be living in the 49 most hazard-prone countries . For rapid and slow-onset events, there are minimal investments on early action to avoid disasters.

  • Achievements at a glance

    Continued roll-out of the Refreshed Resilience Framework and support for forecast-based risk reduction across 12 programmes e.g 52% of Climate Resiliency Field School members estimating a productivity increase of 10% or more due to forecasts and a further 36% confirming positive but non-specific yield enhancements despite the El Nino reducing rainfall. In Nicaragua, despite severe El Nino-related drought impacts, farmers directly supported with resilience-based programming receiving early warning 2 months earlier and achieved maize yields only slightly below a “normal” year and 73% higher than those only supported indirectly. Collaboration between scientists, communities and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have been strengthened to push for increased investments in resilience and adaptation and inclusion of vulnerable populations in the resilience work of economies.

  • How is your organization assessing progress

    Resilience programming is subject to ongoing outcome-based evaluation and specific research e.g. the Developing Climate Services assessments (which have covered Kenya, India, Nicaragua and the Philippines). Research into resilience to El Nino drought was carried out in Nicaragua and Ethiopia in 2016 and will be reported in 2017. Indicators of achievement for advocacy, i.e. policy reform or formulation, have been developed by the Asia Climate Change Consortium and the advocacy partners like DRRNet and Aksyon Klima to track progress.

  • Challenges faced in implementation

    Sudden reduction in resources available for resilience programming (as Programme Partnership Arrangement closes); slowness of progress in changing the emergency-focused system to an early action-based one; loss of focus on the issues of El Nino/La Nina as the Special Envoys step down and a new UN Secretary General takes over. In advocacy, the shrinking political spaces for engagement for many CSOs in Asia; the lack of resources to leverage and weak innovation in the resilience work of some CSOs that shifts the attention of governments to the more organized, well-resourced private sector --- leaving communities and CSOs marginalized.

  • Next step to advance implementation in 2017

    Further engagement with the FAO-led Standard Operating Procedures for Early Action to El Nino/La Nina events; publication of research on resilience to El Nino based on programme experience through 2015/16 in Nicaragua and Ethiopia to promote the need for effective early action to slow-onset crises; continued support for forecast-based programming (esp. through BRACED, other resilience and inclusive markets work). CA will continue to invest in enhancing capacities of CSOs across Asia, Africa and LAC to advocate for policies and programs that will help reduce vulnerabilities from multiple hazards and increase coping and adaptive capacities.

  • If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Anticipate, do not wait, for crises', what would it be

    Approaches to rapid and slow-onset events must give priority to and enhance investments for early action and prevent the breach of vulnerability thresholds.

  • Cross cutting issues

    Disaster Risk Reduction Food Security

  • Specific initiatives

    Commitment to Action: Transcending the humanitarian - development divide

  • Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

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

4C
Deliver collective outcomes: transcend humanitarian-development divides

Core Commitment

  • What led your organization to make the commitment?

    Christian Aid works exclusively through national and local NGOs. We believe that empowering NNGOs will result in better quality aid because they are closer to communities, better understand communities’ needs, can bridge the gap between preparedness, response and resilience, and that working with them improves sustainability as it leaves countries and communities better-positioned to handle future crises.

  • Achievements at a glance

    We have led the Action Aid-led Shifting the Power consortium in Bangladesh, working with 10 NNGOs to strengthen their position in the national humanitarian governance and coordination apparatus. We have led the Action Aid-led Transforming Surge Capacity consortium in Philippines, empowering a network of national and local responders to localise surge capacity. We have worked with Start Network to develop and promote a new NNGO Window of the Start Fund, and are in discussion with ECHO and other donors about prospective future funding for this facility.

  • How is your organization assessing progress

    We are members of the Grand Bargain and the Charter for Change which have their own reporting mechanisms which we comply with. We have nominated a focal point to champion and track progress against each of our WHS commitments.

  • Challenges faced in implementation

    It is not straightforward to leverage donor resources for localisation programming. In spite of the Grand Bargain commitments, donors have concerns around capacity, due diligence, risk, terrorism and trust which restrict available funding for NNGO response or capacity building.

  • Next step to advance implementation in 2017

    We will proactively work with coalition partners to seek follow-up funding so we can replicate and scale up the NNGO capacity building carried out through our Disasters and Emergency Preparedness Programme consortium programmes, and we will proactively work with Start Network to secure funding for the NNGO Window of the Start Fund.

  • Cross cutting issues

    Accountability to affected people Disaster Risk Reduction

  • Specific initiatives

    Charter for Change Grand Bargain

  • Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

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

5A
Invest in local capacities

Joint Commitment

Individual Commitment

Core Commitment

  • What led your organization to make the commitment?

    This is a longstanding commitment of the Philippines programme, as demonstrated in efforts to enhance partners’ capacity for rapid emergency response and assessment, and in the partner-based Typhoon Yolanda response. We believe that Christian Aid’s call for “locally-led response” is not just an issue of efficiency, but about making the humanitarian system more effective, accountable, and sustainable. In the process, we need to challenge the system’s power base of resources, knowledge and information, and make it more inclusive. Working with national NGOs to strengthen their capacity to lead and undertake humanitarian response and be leaders within the system is key.

  • Achievements at a glance

    • Facilitating a commitment to establish a joint local fundraising mechanism amongst four NGOs: - Caucus of Development NGOs, Humanitarian Response Consortium, National Council of Churches in the Philippines, and National Secretariat of Social Action of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, who collectively have the influence, experience, and reach to bring about an independent, local and rapid Humanitarian Fund that is NGO-managed and directly accessible by local organisations. Also facilitated the membership of these four NGOs in the country Decision Making Group of the Start Fund. Leading a task team within the Decision Making Group to explore a national NGO window of the Start Fund.
    • In the past year, conducted Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) workshops with 20 NGOs, and supported the translation of the CHS into two Philippine languages (forthcoming).
    • Strengthening humanitarian capacity of local institutions.
    • Conducted emergency response training with 10 NGOs.

  • How is your organization assessing progress

    Through monitoring how NGO partners respond to emergencies; and wherever appropriate, conducting post-response monitoring visits. In the case of the Transforming Surge Capacity project, progress is measured against the project logframe, Theory of Change and workplan. Quarterly project reports are submitted to the project lead (ActionAid). Process documentation and case studies (on collaboration) are available, with more forthcoming.

  • Challenges faced in implementation

    NGO capacity for humanitarian response, as well as the capacity to engage with and be a leader in the humanitarian system cannot be fully manifested unless they have access to or themselves manage resources that will ensure timely decision-making and response. In fact, it can be argued that NGOs in the Philippines do have the capacity, but not the resources to respond.

  • Next step to advance implementation in 2017

    • Set up the joint local humanitarian fundraising system
    • Develop a module on humanitarian preparedness for organisations (as opposed to previous training targeting individual staff), and roll this out
    • Surge roster fully operational, two training sessions conducted
    • Humanitarian preparedness training with faith-based organisations
    • Continue supporting the implementation of Financial Enablers project

  • If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Invest in local capacities', what would it be

    Moving from rhetoric to action in terms of strengthening national NGOs means profound changes for international actors, changes that impact on our identity, role, behaviours, and practices. We must embrace these changes, even if the impacts include, ultimately, our reduced role and reduced access to resources.

  • Cross cutting issues

    Accountability to affected people

  • Specific initiatives

    Charter for Change

  • Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

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

5E
Diversify the resource base and increase cost-efficiency

Joint Commitment

Individual Commitment

Core Commitment

  • What led your organization to make the commitment?

    Christian Aid works entirely through implementing partners, including during humanitarian response. We have long had a belief in and a commitment to the value that local capacity has in responding to crises. We have been very vocal about this in our public communications. However, this WHS commitment gives us the opportunity to provide hard data on what our approach means in practice.

    We are hopeful that the process of making this information public will encourage us and other organisations to reflect on our performance and to take practical steps to tweak our approach if necessary

  • Achievements at a glance

    We have gone through a process of identifying humanitarian partners and classifying them using the GHA. We then used these classifications to calculate an initial figure for the proportion of our humanitarian grant funding that went to local and national NGOs. This initial calculation suggested that 82.81% of humanitarian aid that we transferred to partners went to local or national NGOs. We are now in the process of establishing a system of tracking this information as we move forward, rather than doing an ad hoc calculation now and again.

    This figure does not include overheads and support costs, which is an important part of the calculation of the final figure. We have examined different ways of calculating this figure, balancing efficiency with accuracy and the need to provide figures that are a true reflection of how we actually manage humanitarian funding, rather than a figure created through setting arbitrary definitions.

  • How is your organization assessing progress

    In the case of the commitment itself, success will achieved once we have an established system for calculating the relevant figures and publishing them as part of IATI reports. Furthermore, we will consider our work around this commitment to be successful if we are able to use our published information as part of a strategy to influence decision-making both internally and externally to Christian Aid about the way that local and national actors should be supported with funding in humanitarian work. We will be able to assess our progress in this way only after we start publishing our own information.

  • Challenges faced in implementation

    The challenges in implementation have so far revolved around the complexity of isolating humanitarian work within our financial and programme management information systems. Our plan is to make modifications to our data tracking systems so that we can routinely monitor our performance in this aspect of the localisation of aid. Changing these systems has implications to other processes within the organisation and so we have to go through a period of consultation to make sure that all the relevant systems and processes are aligned.

  • Next step to advance implementation in 2017

    In 2017 we plan to finalise the establishment of the data tracking system and begin publishing International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) reports that contain this information. We also plan to make our learning through this experience accessible to other organisations to help them to get to the point where they are also publishing this information. We will continue to engage with others to make sure that the publication of this information is used to drive forward the localisation agenda rather through transparency and self-reflection rather than an accounting exercise.

  • If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Diversify the resource base and increase cost-efficiency', what would it be

    Localisation of humanitarian assistance is the sustainable way for the future of humanitarian assistance. It needs to be funded.

  • Cross cutting issues

    Accountability to affected people

  • Specific initiatives

    Charter for Change Grand Bargain

  • Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

    5A - Invest in local capacities