This report offers recommendations and main lessons in translating flexible humanitarian funding opportunities into effective practice as an entry point for longer-term resiliency programming in areas exposed to recurrent shocks. The report is based on the experience of RAIN and RAIN+ with communities in the Oromiya and Somali regions in Ethiopia.
The Revitalizing Agriculture/Pastoral Incomes for New Markets for Enhanced Resilience and Recovery (RAIN+) programme was originally designed as a response to unprecedented crisis in food markets, which reached its peak in 2007 and 2008 and particularly affected vulnerable groups in arid pastoral regions of the Horn of Africa. These regions are prone to recurrent humanitarian emergencies, often triggered by climatic events (droughts, ill-timed rains resulting with floods) and are further complicated by conflict, insecurity and inadequate governance.
The purpose of this study was to undertake the final evaluation of the above summarized RAIN and RAIN+ programme, and by doing this, provide an opportunity for learning, growth and reflection for Mercy Corps, USAID and stakeholders.
Specific objectives of the study are:
- To measure impact of the program, emphasizing quantitatively and qualitatively, using baseline data and indicators established for the programme
- To assess quantitatively and qualitatively whether the objectives of the program have been achieved through the implementation of the various interventions
- Determine which activities were the most effective in terms of impact and cost-effectiveness.