CIC’s program of research on International Humanitarian Action examines the institutional architecture and resource base of the international humanitarian system, and tracks developments in policy and practice.  Focusing on the evolving roles of the major humanitarian actors and institutions in a changing security context, CIC aims to provide a critical review of humanitarian policy and practice, and produce actionable policy recommendations that reflect the changing political realities.  In this effort, CIC has entered into a formal research partnership with the Humanitarian Policy Group of the Overseas Development Institute (ODI). 

Recent work includes a major study on ‘Providing aid in insecure environments,’ released in October 2006.  Drawing on the most comprehensive global dataset to date of major reported incidents of violence against aid workers from 1997 to 2005, the study provides much-needed quantitative analysis of the changing security environment for civilian aid operations. It also examines trends in policy and operations over the last decade, in particular how perceptions of increased risk to aid organizations have influenced operational security measures and have led to increasing reliance on local aid actors and national staff.  Field research for this study was undertaken in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, North Caucasus, Somalia, and Sudan. The report was featured in both a recent report of the UN Secretary-General on the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and in Under-Secretary-General Jan Egeland's recent brief to the Security Council.  A new analysis of the most recent security data is planned to be released 2008.

Building on this research, the humanitarian team has launched a new study, under ODI auspices, on the use of private security firms in aid delivery, with the goal of shedding light on a widespread but under-examined practice, and facilitating the establishment of norms and standards of usage for the humanitarian community. 

The team has been engaged in monitoring and evaluating the various strands of humanitarian reform, and recently completed a commissioned evaluation of the cluster approach to humanitarian coordination for the Inter-Agency Standing Committee.  It also produced an evaluation of the common humanitarian funding mechanisms initiated by a group of donor governments in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The team recently performed  an assessment of UNICEF's engagement with peacekeeping and peace support operations. Commissioned by UNICEF, this study will analyzed past and current practice and lessons learned in UNICEF's experience with peacekeeping.  Its findings are being used to develop a policy position paper and practical guidance note to guide UNICEF's actions in this area.

CIC’s research program on International Humanitarian Action is led by Abby Stoddard in partnership with Adele Harmer of the Humanitarian Policy Group, ODI. In order to continue this highly productive institutional partnership while expanding opportunities for international policy consultations, the humanitarian team will now be separately administered, under a new independent body linked to CIC. Dr. Stoddard will adopt the role of Director of a new humanitarian consulting entity, Humanitarian Outcomes. She will remain as a fellow with CIC, and will continue to direct CIC’s humanitarian research program.

This transition will allow CIC the flexibility to undertake a wide range of consultations and commissioned research in its humanitarian program, providing a better fit for some donors' contracting mechanisms.

Past projects:

Commissioned Research

• Coordination in Humanitarian Response: Lessons Learned for UNICEF’s Role (2006)
• Review of UNICEF’s Evaluation Function in Humanitarian Response (2005)
• Assessment of UNICEF’s Contribution to UN Reform and its Impact on UNICEF in the Humanitarian Sector (2004)
• External Review of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee on Humanitarian Affairs (2003)

Independent Research

• The Humanitarian NGO Community and its Policy Influence in Complex Political Emergencies
• Mobilizing Resources for Humanitarian Assistance