Measuring progress in humanitarian assistance: An assessment on key basic needs for refugees in Eastern Africa

Peter Kintu, United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)
Khassoum Diallo, United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)

Over a million refugees are housed in Eastern Africa. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) provides protection and assistance until durable solutions are found. Measuring effectiveness of this service facilitates adequate interventions. Indicator data were collected from refugee camps annually and compared with global standards. Weights and scores were computed to assess performance in each location and a 3-year trend (2005-2007) was constructed. Significant improvements in food access were recorded in Tanzania (46% to 93%), Ethiopia (72% to 77%) and Kenya (60% to 67%), Djibouti registering low performance (60% to 45%). Uganda (χ2 for trend=4.6, p=0.032), Ethiopia (χ2 for trend=11.0, p=0.001) and Kenya (χ2 for trend=14.8, p<0.001) registered improvements in healthcare, with declines in Burundi (90% to 80%). Access to water and basic shelter followed similar trends. Weighting and compound scores enable UNHCR and partners to visualise weak areas and take sound decisions for improved humanitarian assistance comprehensively.