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Strengthening humanitarian action through evaluation and learning

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Lessons for Response

Photo credit: Arlynn Aquino EU/ECHO

What can we learn from humanitarian responses to previous crises?

ALNAP was founded to improve humanitarian performance through increased learning. To help make this goal a reality, ALNAP publishes Lessons Papers, laying out the lessons of previous humanitarian responses in a concise and readable format. These Lessons Papers are aimed at staff designing and evaluating humanitarian responses, and are largely based on evaluation findings. To date, ALNAP's Lessons Papers look at earthquakes, floods, urban conflicts and disasters, droughts and epidemics.

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Earthquakes
Floods
Urban Conflicts and Disasters
Drought
Specific Crises
Event
15 Dec

WATCH | Learning for Pakistan: Flood response challenges and opportunities

15 Dec 2022
Blog
19 Oct 2022

Lessons for the 2022 Pakistan flood response: past reflections and new considerations

Jennifer Doherty Jessica Alexander
Event
05 Jul

Watch now | Learning for Ukraine: Challenges and Opportunities for Change

5 July 2022 14:00–17:00, CET
Report / Study
11 May 2022

From Kosovo to Ukraine: lessons from the humanitarian response to conflict and displacement in Europe

Buchanan-Smith, M. and Wiles, P.
Lessons paper
20 Oct 2021

ALNAP Lessons Paper: Adapting humanitarian action to the effects of climate change

de Geoffroy, V., Knox Clarke P., Bhatt, M., and Grunewald, F. with Doherty, J.
Lessons paper
18 Dec 2020

ALNAP Lessons Paper: Responding to Ebola epidemics

Lamoure, G. and Juillard, H.
Lessons paper
12 Feb 2019

ALNAP Lessons Paper: Responding to Earthquakes

Juillard, H. & Jourdain, J.

Earthquakes

Photo by ECHO/Susana Perez Diaz

ALNAP's Lessons Papers draw out learning for those responding to earthquakes, providing lessons around both technical delivery and strategy and management. They present key approaches to providing relief for those affected by the crisis, but also the need to factor in preparation for potential future earthquakes. 

Lessons paper
12 Feb 2019

ALNAP Lessons Paper: Responding to Earthquakes

Juillard, H. & Jourdain, J.
Photo Credit: UN Photo/Marco Dormino
Lessons paper
01 Jul 2008

Responding to Earthquakes: Learning from earthquake relief and recovery operations

Cosgrave, J.
EU/ECHO/Pierre Prakash
Rapid Learning Review
08 May 2015

Nepal Earthquake Response: Lessons for operational agencies

Sanderson, D. and Ramalingam, B.
ALNAP
UN Photo/Evan Schneider
Lessons paper
01 Sep 2005

South Asia Earthquake 2005: Learning from Previous Earthquake Relief Operations (First Paper)

Beck, T.
  • more

Floods

Photo Credit: EU/ECHO/Mathias Eick

Continued population growth in areas at risk of flooding and the increasing severity of weather patterns due to climate change mean that the number of flood disasters is likely to continue going up. Many of general lessons that apply to other types of humanitarian response (such as the need to consult the affected population) also apply to floods. But what makes floods difference is their long term impact, whether through sustained waterlogging or their impact on livelihoods. ALNAP's Lessons Papers present lessons learned from previous flood responses in developing countries, based on a structured review of the literature.

Lessons paper
03 Jul 2014

Responding to Flood Disasters: Learning from previous relief and recovery operations

Cosgrave, J.
Lessons paper
01 Jan 2008

Flood Disasters: learning from previous relief and recovery operations

Alam, K.

Urban Conflicts and Disasters

Photo Credit: Mohammed Al Baba/Oxfam

Many humanitarian organisations often have more experience of disaster response in rural settings, and this is further complicated by the fact that towns and cities are dense and highly complex environments. The result is that humanitarian responses in urban environments are faced by a wide variety of unique challenges. Additionally, rapid urban growth and a potentially increased threat to cities from extreme weather events mean that humanitarians will likely increasingly be responding to urban crises. ALNAP's Lessons Papers examine the distinct features unique to humanitarian response in urban environments, looking both at natural disasters and conflict.

Lessons paper
14 Jan 2014

ALNAP Lessons Paper: Humanitarian Interventions in Settings of Urban Violence

Lucchi, E.
Lessons paper
14 Jan 2014

ALNAP Lessons Paper: Humanitarian Interventions in Settings of Urban Violence (Arabic)

Lucchi, E.
ALNAP
Lessons paper
27 Nov 2012

Responding to Urban Disasters: Learning from previous relief and recovery operations

Sanderson, D., Knox Clarke, P., and Campbell, L.

Drought

Photo Credit: OIKOS

Drought can impact people's lives in variety of ways and, beyond its direct effects, can increase the risk of conflict over scarce natural resources. This means that, when responding to drought crises, humanitarians should be prepared to work closely with national governments across sectors and countries to meet the needs of drought-affected populations. ALNAP's Lesson Paper on humanitarian action in drought-related emergencies provides 17 lessons, including the importance of effective early warning systems and the need to recognise the recurrent nature of droughts. 

Lessons paper
17 Oct 2011

ALNAP Lessons Paper: Humanitarian action in drought-related emergencies

Hedlund, K. and Knox Clarke, P.
Lessons paper
15 Mar 2012

ALNAP Lessons Paper: Humanitarian action in drought-related emergencies (Arabic)

Hedlund, K. and P. Knox Clarke
ALNAP

Specific Crises

These Lessons Papers look at what humanitarians can learn from specific responses to particular crises. 

UN Photo/Shareef Sarhan
Lessons paper
01 Feb 2009

Deepening Crisis in Gaza: Lessons for Operational Agencies

UN Photo/Evan Schneider
Lessons paper
01 May 2008

Cyclone Nargis: Lessons for operational agencies

Ramalingam, B. and S. Pavanello
ALNAP
EC/ECHO/Anouk Delafortrie
Lessons paper
01 Nov 2008

The Global Food Price Crisis: Lessons and Ideas for Relief Planners and Managers

Ramalingam, B., Proudlock, K. and J. Mitchell
ALNAP
UN Photo/Evan Schneider
Lessons paper
01 Jan 2005

Tsunami Emergency - Lessons from Previous Natural Disasters

Houghton, R.
  • more

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ALNAP
ODI
203 Blackfriars Road
London SE1 8NJ
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7922 0421
Email: alnap [at] alnap [dot] org

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