Information and Communication Technology for Child Protection Case Management in Emergencies

Abstract

Humanitarian protection agencies are moving away from traditional paper-based systems in favour of more sophisticated digital solutions for child protection case management in emergencies (CPCME). Accordingly, a critical examination of the impact that the use of information and communication technology (ICT) is needed. This report is the culmination of a 3-phased research project — desk research; field research; and analysis and synthesis — to assess the impact of ICT on CPCME. The research focused on various ICT systems that included case management and non-case-management tools. Through discussions, observations in 2 settings (Kenya and South Sudan), data analysis, the report draws many conclusions on ICT use for CPCM. However, there is limited evidence in the literature on the impact of ICT use for CPCME can have on reducing vulnerability and improving child protection outcomes. Current evidence didn’t permit a definitive conclusion on the impact of digitization of CPCME, but did permit the development of a more robust theory of change for future evaluators and research teams to take a more systematic approach to evaluating ICT for CPCME. The findings from the research pave way for future research to empirically document the impact ICT has in CPCME. The findings from the site visits and key informant interviews underline the interest in and opportunities for ICT for CPCME. While this research focused on child protection the implications are wider. Ultimately, the evidence accumulated and compiled through this research can provide a baseline foundation upon which future implementations (or expansions of existing programmes) and evaluations can reference. This research was funded as part of the Digitization of Child Records project