Institutional Learning Team - SFCG
Using Conflict analysis as a monitoring tool for aid programs Search for Common Ground’s experience in the DRC and Nigeria 1
Who are we?
A peacebuilding organization that operates in 33 countries, primarily in the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
Our mission is to transform the way the world deals with conflict
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The « made in Africa » Challenges for aid workers
Map of 2014 « Fragile state report » by OCDE DAC
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Risks faced by NGOs when working in fragile and conflict prone areas • NGOs unable to conduct their activities - waste of public funds • NGOs “Doing harm” by undermining the local social fabric and peace dynamics • NGOs missing opportunities to have a positive impact on social cohesion
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Overcoming the risks via the conflict analysis “A systematic study of the political, economic, social, historical, and cultural factors that directly influence the shape, dynamics and direction of existing or potential conflicts. It includes an analysis of conflict causes and dynamics as well as assessments of the profiles, motivations, objectives and resources of conflict protagonists.�
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But‌ Conflict is dynamic!
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In the Democratic Republic of Congo
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Objective: • Measure the conflict dynamic at a very local level • A system that would be systematic but not labor/ resource intensive
In the Democratic Republic of Congo
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A. Baseline conflict assessment was conducted in our target areas B. Existing Participatory Theatre program that has been running since 2005 • Theatre Troops already collecting data (monitoring) to ensure that they implement successful programming • Systematized system and added few additional questions specific to the conflict assessment for analysis
Type of questions Who are the main actors of conflict?
According to you, how are the humanitarian workers selecting their beneficiaires? How often are NGOs source of conflicts in your village? How would you describe your relationship with the other ethnic group?
When you’re facing a conflict, do you know where to seek for help to find a peaceful way of dealing with it?
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DRC: How data was used (a) by SFCG Flexible programs: We adapted our peacebuilding activities based on the data collected Doing work in mostat-risk communities / situations Collaborative work: Ensured that other SFCG programs were working collaboratively at addressing dynamic causes of conflict – data is shared across programs, trainers Inform new grants and proposals
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DRC: How data was used (b) by aid workers
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Lessons learned from the DRC
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• Almost Real-time monitoring of conflict trends allowed for SFCG to be very reactive to the dynamic context and proved to be a successful strategy to ensure a quality and timely response to emerging issues. • Data collection was a relatively quick process that SFCG staff could easily add on its usual work. However, data analysis was much more time-consuming that initially expected, • Almost all aid workers already do some kind of conflict monitoring. But they did not formalize the process nor did they formalize the analysis.
In Nigeria Context: • Cyclical ethnic and religious conflict, Boko Haram Islamist sect • 1224 people dead in 48 MayDec 2013 attacks SFCG’s pilot project : « Increasing the capacity of local peacemaker to analyse and respond to merging conflict before it escalates into a cycle of violence »
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In Nigeria SMS based Early Warning System to collect information in real time about rumors and threats of violence
Primary intended users: Key project stakeholders: security, government, civil society and NGOs 109 monitors trained by SFCG
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SMS information
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In Nigeria: how data was used
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• Instant SMS alert • Daily incident report • SMS fed into SFCG’s radio bulletin programs • Monthly reports were written and shared with program stakeholders • 4 meetings with key stakeholders to review the findings
Lessons learned • Data collection via SMS and monitors was an effective and well adapted way of collecting data, as it proved to be a very low-cost technique. However, the project faced some technical issues • Adapt your products and their format to your audience: according to your audience, good data visualization may matter for an increased use. • Manage expectations: It was clear that the majority of focal points and members of the public had developed expectations that sending in EWS would lead to deployment or response by security actors to the incident reported. Important to manage expectations.
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Conclusions
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1. Conflict assessment and monitoring are crucial for those working in conflict and fragile environments: do it! 2. Stick with what you can do and know your limits. There are simple ways of doing conflict monitoring: • • •
3 to 5 questions in your usual monitoring tools Asking specific questions to your beneficiairies and non beneficiaries in your project reviews A systematic discussion in your weekly / monthly staff meetings on the conflict trends and the links between your project and the conflict context
3. Conflict assessments must not just be conducted: they must be used 4. Ensure that you design your conflict monitorng in line with the intended use of the data
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For Resources and Discussion on M&E and Peacebuilding visit:
www. dmeforpeace. org