Research & Learning

Research & Learning

As part of our commitment to accountability and learning the DEC and our members regularly conduct reviews and evaluations, as well as other thematic research pieces. These studies aim to promote learning and improvement among our members and encourage best practice in the wider humanitarian sector.

This page is a repository of key resources across our appeals and the different topics that make up the research and learning agenda.

Farmers attend an agridculture training at a farming school facillitated by Concern Worldwide in Sindh, Pakistan, 27th April, 2023

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The research and learning agenda  

DEC’s research and learning agenda identifies key subject areas to investigate through our research activities. These topics cover the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the humanitarian sector.  

Environment, Climate Change, and Humanitarian Action: as the impact of climate change is increasing felt around the world, triggering new and exacerbating existing crises, humanitarian action needs to adapt to address evolving needs. Our research seeks to contribute to that learning process.  

Accountability to affected populations: accountability has long been at the forefront of humanitarian policy, but the evidence demonstrates that more work is needed to ensure that those impacted by crises can truly shape the aid they receive. The DEC is committed to enhancing accountability through evidence-based improvements.  

Localisation: another cornerstone of humanitarian policy, localisation covers a broad range of aims that seek to shift power and influence toward local humanitarian actors. At the DEC, we are committed to the goal of a more equitable humanitarian system and understanding what role we can play in achieving that. 

Safeguarding: protecting individuals and communities from harm is a cornerstone of humanitarian programming. Within DEC appeals, safeguarding relates to having robust mechanisms in place to mitigate against risks and handle any incidents with care. This includes safeguarding for members of affected communities as well as the staff of DEC charities and their partners. 

Cash: in recent decades cash has become a key means of delivering aid. As a modality, it gives agency to affected communities and helps support local economies. Cash has been an integral part of all recent appeals, and the DEC is keen to identify best practice. 

Middle East Humanitarian Appeal

The DEC Middle East Humanitarian appeal includes responses in Gaza, as well as Lebanon, West Bank, and Syria.

In phase 1 of the DEC-funded response, a real-time response review was commissioned in collaboration with the Humanitarian Coalition, an organisation with a similar structure to the DEC based in Canada.

This response review was conducted by the Humanitarian Impact Institute, and a final report, alongside an executive summary and recommendations overview, can be found below.

Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal 

The DEC launched an appeal in response to the devastating earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria in February 2023, killing tens of thousands of people and reducing buildings to rubble.  

To ensure programme quality and accountability to affected populations, the DEC will carry out of range of learning activities throughout the duration of the appeal, that will be added to this page upon completion.  

Real-time response review and community perception survey

Shortly following the launch of the appeal, the DEC commissioned NSDation to conduct a real-time review of phase 1 of the response. The country summaries and full report can be found below.

In phase 2 of the response, approximately one year following the initial response review and perception survey, a second community perception survey was also carried out. This review aimed to explore trends in the experiences of community members during the course of the response, as well as explore the extent to which previous recommendations have been incorporated into phase 2 of the response. The final report, plus community perception surveys, can be found below.

To view information about the DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal, please click here.

Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal

The DEC launched an appeal following the escalation of conflict in 2022. DEC member charities and their local partners continue to provide assistance to affected communities, both in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries. This includes addressing short-term, immediate needs as well as longer-term support for displaced individuals and families.   

Alongside ensuring programme quality and accountability, our research and learning activities in Ukraine have sought to assess innovation within the humanitarian sector and help to establish new ways of working.  

Appeal Reporting

Throughout the duration of an appeal response, the DEC Secretariat publishes reports which provide an overview of the programmes taking place using DEC appeal funds, as well as further detail about the people reached during the response, key achievements, and learning points throughout the response. 

 

Phase 1 report - covering the period March - August 2022
Phase 2a 6 month report - covering the period September 2022 - February 2023
Phase 2a 12 month report - covering the period September 2022 - August 2023

Response Review

Shortly following the launch of the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, the DEC commissioned Conflict Management Consulting to conduct a real-time review of phase 1 of the response. The country summaries and synthesis report can be found below.

 

Community Perception Surveys

The DEC has worked with Ground Truth Solutions to conduct a series of affected population perception surveys in Ukraine, Poland, Moldova and Romania at the end of 2022 and during 2023. The full reports and summary bulletins can be found below. 

 

User Journeys of Cash Recipients 

Ground Truth Solutions and the Collaborative Cash Delivery Network co-produced a series of reports focused on understanding the experiences of people receiving cash assistance, which can be found below. 

 
A research study conducted by London School of Economics to identify drivers to support social protection systems in Ukraine, as well as observing hindering factors that might need to be alleviated to create a more effective response.

 

To view information about the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, please click here.

A man hugs his daughter and granddaughter after they crossed the border from Ukraine to Poland

Pakistan Floods Appeal

The DEC launched an appeal in response to the historic floods in 2022. In the aftermath of the floods, DEC charities provided wide-ranging assistance to communities affected, including strengthening their resilience to future climate-based disasters.

Alongside ensuring programme quality and accountability, our research and learning activities around this appeal have focused adapting humanitarian programmes to climate-based emergencies and reducing the vulnerabilities of the communities facing them.  

As part of this response, DEC Member Action Against Hunger commissioned a research study which aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of its interventions to promote community resilience and disaster preparedness, and identify gaps within the wider humanitarian response. A copy of this piece can be found below.

To view information about the DEC Pakistan Floods Appeal, please click here.

Nasra and her daughter sit in their temporary shelter in Sindh, having lost their home in the floods.

Afghanistan Crisis Appeal

In the two years since the DEC appeal was launched in December 2021, Afghanistan has continued to experience economic and environmental shocks, alongside changes in political landscape. DEC member charities have continued to provide assistance to communities across the country.

Alongside ensuring programme quality and accountability, our learning for this appeal has focused on inclusion and participation of marginalised groups, as well as the ability of humanitarian actors to navigate challenging political environments.

On a rotational basis, a subset of DEC Member Agencies participating in reach appeal are selected to conduct an indepedent evaluation.

To view information about the DEC Afghanistan Crisis Appeal, please click here.

Research Areas

Climate Research

Research relating to climate and environment is regularly included within our appeal related evaluation efforts. In 2023 and 2024, we have been delighted to work with teams of Masters research students at the London School of Economics, to conduct two pieces focused on this area. 

Cash & Voucher Assistance

Cash and voucher assistance is a key area of progress and innovation within the humanitarian sector. Links to relevant research items commissioned by the DEC can be found below. 

Cash Coordination Review

Key Aid Consulting were commissioned by the DEC to conduct a review of coordination mechanisms relating to the provision of cash assistance in Ukraine and surrounding countries Moldova, Poland and Romania. Their findings, in addition to briefing papers published per country can be found below. 

Partnerships and Localisation

Supporting and promoting equitable and quality partnerships between international humanitarian agencies, and local and national partner NGOs, is a key area of focus. The below piece, themed 'Towards Transformation', sets out a position paper and vision statement using DEC appeals in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Turkey & Syria as case studies. 

It was conducted by Humanitarian Advisory Group in collaboration with GLOW, KAE and NSDation consultancy. 

Towards Transformation - Final Report

 

Five-year learning review

In 2024, the DEC were delighted to work with Jessica Alexander and John Mitchell through ALNAP to conduct a learning review across all appeals launched by the DEC during our most recent strategic period (2019-2024). 

An abridged synthesis of these learnings, based on the above report produced for the DEC, can be found here:

Lessons Paper: DEC Strategic Period 2019-2024