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NORGLOBAL2-Norge - global partner

Holding aid accountable: Relational humanitarianism in protracted crisis (AidAccount)

Alternative title: Ansvarlig bistandsoverføring: Relasjonell humanitær bistand i langvarige krisesituasjoner (AidAccount)

Awarded: NOK 12.0 mill.

In situations of protracted humanitarian crisis, local residents and institutions – including religious actors, grassroots initiatives, businesses – as well as diaspora groups, are key humanitarian actors. They are often the first to assist in emergencies, and they remain engaged throughout the complex crises that may follow. Little is known about how accountability is understood and practiced by (local and transnational) citizens and institutions in comparison to professional humanitarians. While the professional sector relies heavily on technical-financial systems, civic humanitarians often depend on trust-based social networks and social media. How is accountability defined and practiced locally at the meeting point between civic and professional humanitarianism in protracted crises? The project is implemented by PRIO, NTNU, Centre for Lebanese Studies, Makerere University (Uganda), Centre for Migration Research & Development (Sri Lanka) and Rako Research & Communication Centre (Somaliland). Emmanuel Viga works as PhD for NTNU on the Uganda case; and Ahmed Musa works as post-doc (Senior Researcher) for PRIO on the Somaliland case. Master student Maja Simonsen Nilsen (NTNU) completed her thesis ‘Building Self-Reliance through Social Networks: An analysis of South Sudanese refugee women's self-reliance strategies in rural and urban Uganda’. Data collection has been completed. The project used the case-study method and in each case, qualitative methods - including participatory mapping, document analysis, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions – have been used to study the normative, institutional and experiential dimensions of accountability perceptions and practices. The doctoral researcher has completed fieldwork in Kampala and Bidi Bidi refugee camp (Uganda), with support by the supervisors (in the field and digitally). During the field visit to the two sites, the team conducted 73 interviews and 8 Focus Group Discussions. The project in Sri Lanka covers Puttalam, Mannar and Jaffna and data collection in the 3 sites consisted of 38 semi-structured interviews and 10 Focus Group Discussions. In Somaliland, data was collected in Odweyne, Burcao and Hargeisa, and 45 interviews and 2 FGDs were completed. All teams are in the process of drafting papers – some of which were presented at an internal workshop in Colombo January 2023 and an academic workshop in Kampala June 2023. Papers are at various stages of publication. By developing knowledge about this neglected yet important subject, AidAccount will support the efforts of professional humanitarian actors to improve localisation and thus increase the efficiency of aid delivery. The project works with a 'humanitarian lab' to support knowledge-based policy decisions and improve accountability to both donors and aid recipients. The explicit intention is to cultivate relationships between researchers, humanitarians, policy makers, donors and aid recipients that will lead to sustained interactions and collaborative learning. A first lab meeting was held in Oslo in 2021 in conjunction with the Norwegian Centre on Humanitarian Studies, and in 2023-2024 a series of seminars and workshops are held with several Norwegian NGOs and Norad. Different stakeholders in the case study countries are engaged throughout the project, and the case study teams created Photovoice testimonies, short videos and podcasts to facilitate these exchanges.

In situations of protracted humanitarian crisis, local residents and diaspora groups are key humanitarian actors. They are often the first to assist in emergencies, and they remain engaged throughout the complex crises that may follow. Little is known about how accountability is understood and practiced by (local and transnational) citizens in comparison to professional humanitarians. While the professional sector relies heavily on technical-financial systems, the civic humanitarians often depend on trust-based social networks and social media to provide accountability. How is accountability defined and practiced locally at the meeting point between civic and professional humanitarianism in protracted crises? AidAccount aims to map, document, and analyse the moral and social dimensions of accountability as understood and practiced by civic and professional humanitarian aid providers in protracted crises in Uganda, Somalia and Sri Lanka. The project uses the case-study method and in each case, complementary qualitative methods - including participatory mapping, document analysis, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions - will be used to study the normative, institutional and experiential dimensions of accountability conceptualizations and practices. By developing knowledge about this neglected yet important subject, the project will support the efforts of professional humanitarian actors to improve localisation and thus increase the efficiency of aid delivery. The project furthermore aims to develop a 'humanitarian lab' to support knowledge-based policy decisions and improve accountability to both donors and aid recipients. The explicit intention is to cultivate relationships between researchers, humanitarians, policy makers, donors and aid recipients that will lead to sustained interactions and collaborative learning.

Funding scheme:

NORGLOBAL2-Norge - global partner