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29 Articles
Diaspora Engagement Efforts in Afghanistan Real-Time Review

Diaspora Engagement Efforts in Afghanistan Real-Time Review

by Administrator

Diaspora Emergency Action & Coordination (DEMAC), Afghanistan

 

On 16 August 2021 the Taliban announced that they had gained control of Afghanistan. The takeover resulted in a heated public debate about the two-decade war, the humanitarian implications of the withdrawal, and the future of women and civil society in Afghanistan. To capture Afghan diaspora engagement in the current political crisis, Meraki Labs conducted a Real-Time Analysis in the immediate aftermath of the Taliban takeover in Mid-August.
The report, commissioned by DEMAC - Diaspora Emergency Action & Coordination, takes two main approaches to data collection: 1) online media monitoring from 15 August 2021 to 30 September 2021 of 60 Afghan diaspora organizations, and 2) key informant interviews with representatives of ten ADOs, as well as Danish Refugee Council Diaspora Program staff. In this report we document the rapid response and self-mobilization of ADOs, as well as their efforts in fundraising and direct support in Afghanistan. The report also looks at some of the challenges faced by these organizations and provides recommendations on the way forward.

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The State of Referral Systems in Yemen

The State of Referral Systems in Yemen

by Administrator

Cash Consortium of Yemen (CCY), Yemen

 

With millions of people currently in humanitarian need in Yemen, it is critical for humanitarian actors to use resources effectively, including by developing effective and efficient referral pathways between sectors. Meraki Labs conducted this research to support the Cash Consortium of Yemen (CCY) to better understand how cash and other sectors interlink, what referral systems already exist and what pathways should be established or integrated with the CCY program.

This report is based on both primary and secondary research. It draws on a literature review of referral
mechanisms in Yemen specifically and the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, as well as an analysis of documentation available from key clusters. In addition, 30 semi-structured key informant interviews were conducted with 20 agencies.

 

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Evaluation of the IOM-University of Djibouti Creative Space project for youth on-the-move and host communities

Evaluation of the IOM-University of Djibouti Creative Space project for youth on-the-move and host communities

by Administrator

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION, DJIBOUTI

The Creative Spaces for Migrants in Djibouti is a pilot project aimed at establishing creative makerspaces in Djiboutiville, in partnership with the University of Djibouti. These spaces follow the global FabLab model promoted by the Fab Foundation, which includes several standard digital fabrication technologies – including laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC mills, and vinyl cutting.

The overall purpose of FabLabs is to support technical education, digital fabrication, and provide a meeting space for youth on the move. The evaluation focused on establishing the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the project, with a focus on learning from the pilot initiative, including the viability of innovative approaches to migrant engagement and skills development.

Development of the Global Humanitarian Project Cycle Management Field Guide

Development of the Global Humanitarian Project Cycle Management Field Guide

by Administrator

DANISH REFUGEE COUNCIL, GLOBAL

Meraki Labs developed a Project Cycle Management (PCM) Field Guide to support Project Teams in all country humanitarian operations. The purpose of this PCM Field Guide is to outline minimum standards at all phases of project implementation, support consistency and communication between different units in DRC by outlining roles of Project Managers, and to support understanding and consistency between HQ, Regional, and Country Offices in managing humanitarian responses. The development of the PCM Field Guide involved engagement with all DRC Country Operations and Regional Offices, as well as consultation across all major departments in DRC HQ. Meraki Labs will be supporting the piloting and roll-out of the PCM Guide, including the development of training modules.

Review and analysis of GAC’s programming portfolio

Review and analysis of GAC’s programming portfolio

by Administrator

Global Affairs Canada, Canada

 

In light of the Charlevoix Declaration, and the Together for Learning campaign, Global Affairs Canada is reviewing and reinforcing its commitment to education for displaced children and youth. Meraki Labs conducted a portfolio review for GAC; the review aimed to assess strengths and weaknesses, identify gaps and trends in the portfolio, and identify a possible strategic focus and direction for the future. The review was conducted in the wider context of the Together for Learning campaign and thus also aimed to identify synergies between programming and other campaign pillars. The report identified and proposed ways to build on GAC's comparative advantages and core strengths.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midline Assessment of an EU funded program, “Building Resilience in Crises through education”

Midline Assessment of an EU funded program, “Building Resilience in Crises through education”

by Administrator

Plan International & Relief International, Ethiopia & Somalia

 

Plan and Relief International are implementing a project funded by the EU to support education for displaced people and host communities in Gambella, Ethiopia and Puntland, South Sudan. Meraki Labs conducted a midline evaluation for partners, comprising a review of performance against OECD-DAC criteria, as well as a review of the research component implemented by the University of Sussex and local research partners. Qualitative data was collected and analysed; quantitative data provided by University of Sussex was cleaned and analysed for correlation. The project provided concrete suggestions for improving outcomes, notably around beneficiary feedback and accountability as well as gender and inclusion of marginalised groups. It must be noted that the views expressed in the report are Meraki’s alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the consortium, its partners or donor.

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Supporting the Development of Localised Approaches in Rakhine State

Supporting the Development of Localised Approaches in Rakhine State

by Administrator

Danish Refugee Council, Myanmar

 

Rakhine state is a challenging cotext for civil society, and in particular for local actors; the Rakhine are a marginalised group within Myanmar, the Rohingya are both a religious and an ethnic minority, and exisiting civil society consists of very small local actors, often with strong community ties but limited understading of principles of assistance. The project, conducted in the aftermath of the coup, included a review of the ethical issues associated with localisation as well as the proposal of a new approach to engaging with local actors. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final Evaluation of CaLP Activities in the MENA Region

Final Evaluation of CaLP Activities in the MENA Region

by Administrator

Cash Learning Partnership (CaLP), MENA Region

 

CaLP has been operating its Middle East and North Africa Office in Amman, Jordan since 2017. In 2018, CaLP received funding from the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) to support further expansion of regional presence that would facilitate more intensive engagement on capacity building, research and knowledge management, coordination support, and policy and advocacy objectives. Meraki Labs was commissioned to complete a final evaluation of the CaLP's overall contribution to building an enabling environment for CVA programming in the region and more broadly. The evaluation assessed past project objectives, not only in light of the MENA context and project aims, but also rapid shifts in context. In order to best serve CaLP's agenda, the evaluation was focused on assessing approach as compared to the new global strategic plan for the 2020-2025 period.

 

 

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Displacement in Northeast South Sudan and the borderlands

Displacement in Northeast South Sudan and the borderlands

by Administrator

Danish Demining Group, South Sudan

 

 In order to implement conflict-sensitive peacebuilding and resilience programming in Northeast South Sudan, the Danish Demining Group (DDG) needed to develop an evidence base on current issues and dynamics driving displacement along the South Sudan-Ethiopian borderlands. This project included conducting primary qualitative research in Pibor County  to conduct a contextual analysis of communities, conducting a root causes analysis, evaluating cross-border policies and practices affecting resilience and economic wellbeing of communities, and mapping existing community-based resilience factors and peacebuilding processes and initiatives. Following the research, Meraki Labs supported DDG in developing a project concept and accompanying theory of change. 

 

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Women’s Experiences as Transit Migrants in Yemen

Women’s Experiences as Transit Migrants in Yemen

by Administrator

International Organization for Migration, Yemen

 

 

In 2019, women and girls formed 21% of migrants travelling irregularly from the Horn of Africa to Gulf countries; the majority of these women were from Ethiopia. Existing research provides anecdotal evidence that irregular migration journeys are gendered, highlighting that women face specific issues that are distinct from the overall risks of the journey.

In this gender study, Meraki Labs has examined the risks faced by Ethiopian women on the irregular migration route to the Gulf, and the factors that affect their vulnerability to trafficking.

  

 

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