Cost-effectiveness in Humanitarian Outcomes and Development in Fragile and Conflict-affected States

Abstract

This report provides an update to a set of previous helpdesk reports by the Knowledge, Evidence and Learning for Development Programme (K4D) produced between September and October 2018 which reviewed the cost-effectiveness of humanitarian and development work in FCAS, protracted and recurrent crises. The documents identified in this report covers an array of methodologies and indicators of cost-effectiveness, cost-efficiency or value for money. Many of the documents reviewed did not make a clear statement about how effectiveness was measured, and whether or not objectives had been achieved or were cost-effective. Overall, new evidence on cost-effectiveness (i.e. in the last 18 months) in the different areas of focus varied greatly. The review found evidence on cost-effectiveness in the areas of resilience programming, shock responsive social protection and safety nets; preparedness, anticipatory and early action; crisis financing; cash-based programming; integration of displaced persons into host community services and access to jobs; humanitarian protection (compliance with International Humanitarian Law (HIL) and gender and disability. This report was prepared for the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and its partners in support of pro-poor programmes