Evaluation of an Emergency Preparedness and Response Programme, South Sudan

Action Against Hunger was commissioned to undertake a final evaluation of NCA’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Programme in South Sudan. The three-year programme, implemented in various phases from January 2014 to August 2017, aimed to provide lifesaving assistance to people affected by conflict and displacement in South Sudan, focusing on water, sanitation and hygiene, non-food items and emergency food. The objectives of the evaluation were to assess the relevance and effectiveness of the programme, and the extent to which cross-cutting themes such as humanitarian principles and gender issues were addressed. The evaluation aimed to inform NCA’s existing and upcoming country- and global-level strategies, strengthen the organisation’s humanitarian responses, and provide an assessment of the role and contribution of local actors in South Sudan. 

PROCESS 

The inception report, data collection instruments and work plan for primary data collection in South Sudan were developed following a desk review and consultations with NCA evaluation focal points. The consultant from the MEAL Services team visited South Sudan in February 2018 and the data collection comprised key informant interviews, focus group discussions, household interviews and site observations in Aweil, Gumuruk, Juba, Torit, Twic East and Wau. A South Sudanese consultant was recruited prior to departure to support with the data collection, in particular the focus group discussions and household interviews. Hannah provided a debrief to the NCA team before departing South Sudan with initial observations on the data collection. 

The analysis followed a mixed-methods approach. A second consultant with WASH expertise was hired to support with analysis related to the WASH interventions of the programme. The final report included key lessons learnt, findings and recommendations corresponding to the evaluation criteria (relevance, effectiveness, cross-cutting themes and local capacities).  

OUTPUTS 

• Inception report and data collection tools 
• Final evaluation report