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Pakistan Evidence and Learning Platform (PELP) launched Through its Multi-Year Humanitarian Programme 2014-2019 (MYHP), the UK Department for International Development (DFID) has been providing humanitarian assistance to Pakistan and supporting 2-3 million people affected by natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes and droughts, as well as over 1 million internally displaced persons from conflict and other complex emergencies. The Pakistan Evidence and Learning Platform (PELP) is an important component of the Multi-Year Humanitarian Programme and aims to strengthen knowledge management processes and achieve concrete results, by ensuring that knowledge is captured, shared, and utilized for the benefit of the humanitarian system in Pakistan. The PELP will support MYHP through the provision of high quality knowledge services that will progressively improve the performance of the humanitarian response, as well as contribute to the humanitarian-development nexus. The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has been retained by DFID to develop and initiate implementation of the PELP for ultimate transfer to a suitable national entity. The PELP establishment phase is taking place over a 2-year period (2017-2019) through a dedicated project team and an office located in the Serena Business Complex. Through the combination of knowl-
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edge and learning hub, an innovation grant mechanism and third-party monitoring, the PELP’s ambition is to strengthen capacities to document and disseminate humanitarian best practices, enhance skills for effective humanitarian engagements and improve accountability and lesson learning from humanitarian activities in Pakistan. On February 16 UNITAR organized an official launch event of PELP along with the announcement of the Innovation Grant Mechanism Call for Proposals, in Islamabad. The event brought together delegates from major stakeholders in the humanitarian and development landscape of Pakistan, including donors, NGOs, academia, and civil society. Neil Buhne, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Pa-
kistan expressed his appreciation to NDMA, DFID and UNITAR for bringing together various partners in delivering transformational change in humanitarian work in Pakistan through PELP. Among the group of finest experts and leaders in the humanitarian sector of Pakistan, the event’s distinguished guest speakers included Head of DFID Joanna Reid, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator Pakistan Neil Buhne, and Chairman National Disaster Management Authority, Lieutenant General Omar Mahmood Hayat. UNITAR GCP Manager Angus MacKay and UNITAR/UNOSAT Manager Einar Bjorgo facilitated the event and delivered presentations.