PHAP Online Briefing: Contested Evidence: The challenges and limits of evidence-based approaches to humanitarian action

Humanitarian action is fraught with challenges, and frequently has no choice but to act in the face of considerable uncertainties. The use of evidence and evidence-based approaches – knowing what does and does not work in responding to conflict, disasters and other emergencies – is crucial to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian interventions. With access to information and evidence greater than ever, promoting evidence-based approaches to humanitarian action has been given much attention in the past years.

What does the greater focus on evidence mean in practice for humanitarian work? Do institutional and political agendas promote the selective design or application of evidence-based approaches? Are there situations where focusing on evidence conflicts with other priorities? And how do evidence-based approaches relate to accountability? In other words, what are the limits to an evidence-based approach to humanitarian action?

As part of Humanitarian Evidence Week, on 7 November, PHAP will host an online discussion, looking critically at the concept of evidence-based approaches to humanitarian action.

The event will feature an overview of the concept of evidence and how it has been used in the humanitarian sector. The presentation will be followed by a moderated discussion on the dilemmas of evidence among a panel of experts. The event will also provide the opportunity for participants to share their perspectives on the topic discussed, through the live chat and the possibility to pose questions to the panelists.

Event time

Tuesday, 7 November 2017, 15:00 - 16:30 (Geneva time)

To see when the live session will take place in your time zone, click here.

Target audience and event access

The event is particularly targeted to humanitarian practitioners, who are seeking for a stronger understanding of the various approaches to humanitarian action. The event is also open to the public. In order to join the event, please register in advance at phap.org/7nov2017-register

Recommended resources

• Jeremy Shoham and Marie McGrath, “Evidence in humanitarian emergencies: what does it look like?,” Evidence Aid, 27 September 2016
• Kristin Bushby and Roxanne Krystalli, “Mapping Evidence Syntheses in the Humanitarian Sector: Insights and Challenges,” Humanitarian Evidence Programme (DFID, Oxfam GB and Feinstein International Center), April 2015
• Paul Knox Clarke and James Darcy, “Insufficient Evidence? The quality and use of evidence in humanitarian action,” ALNAP Study, February 2014

Guest experts

• Paul Knox Clark, Head of Research, ALNAP
• Lars Peter Nissen, Director, ACAPS
• Momodou Touray, Development Advisor, Independent
• Nancy Cartwright, Professor at University of Durham and University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and Co-Director, Centre for Humanities Engaging Science and Society (CHESS), University of Durham

Event host

• Marc DuBois, PHAP Facilitator

Blog post

As an introduction to this online discussion, Marc DuBois, who will be facilitating and moderating the session, has written and article on the main concerns regarding evidence in the aid sector. You can now read his article at phap.org/7nov2017-article

Marc DuBois, currently an independent humanitarian consultant, researcher, and blogger, was the Executive Director of MSF-UK from March 2008 until March 2014.

Geneva Humanitarian Connector

This event is made possible through the Geneva Humanitarian Connector, an initiative of PHAP supported by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.