DEC Cyclone Idai Response Meta-Synthesis Report
Purpose, methodology and scope
Meta-synthesis purpose, methodology and scope Purpose The purpose of this meta-synthesis is to learn lessons from the actions in the affected countries for future similar responses, in Southern Africa and elsewhere. This study views the overall work of DEC members within a larger context, and from that, to identify lessons for future action.
This meta-synthesis will not reiterate the activities conducted by responding agencies and local partners under the DEC funding, as these have been extensively documented in number reports and evaluations. Instead, this report aims to synthesise key good practice, challenges and learning points from information in previous reports, framed around the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS).
Limitations This is a desk-based review only, and as a meta-synthesis of existing documents, interaction between researchers and field teams was limited to the focus groups and survey listed above. Partners and
beneficiaries were not consulted during this process. The quotes in the text, when not linked to a reference or author, are either drawn from the focus group discussions, from the survey online, or from DEC reports.
Scope All DEC member agencies are required to be independently certified against the CHS, so this meta-synthesis uses four of the nine CHS
Commitments to provide a framework and focus for common themes emerging from reports and studies, and to facilitate learning:
Commitment 1: Communities and people affected by crisis receive assistance appropriate to their needs - for findings around inclusion and participation. Commitment 3: Communities and people affected by crisis are not negatively affected, and are more prepared, resilient and less at-risk as a result of humanitarian action - for findings around resilience, preparedness and localisation. Commitment 6: Communities and people affected by crisis receive coordinated, complementary assistance - for findings around coordination within and between member agencies and other organisations and stakeholders. Commitment 7: Communities and people affected by crisis can expect delivery of improved assistance as organisations learn from experience and reflection - for findings around learning from this and previous responses.
8
