This independent final evaluation was carried out in June 2017 and was funded by Global Affairs Canada. The project was carried out in Iraq, in the Diyala governorate. Its main objective was to reduce vulnerability of internal displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities in the governorate. ACF sought people in situations of psychological and psychosocial distress within displaced populations, developed resilience and positive coping mechanisms and made sure extremely vulnerable households had sufficient financial resources to satisfy their critical needs in terms of access to food, accommodation, and health. Based on the end of evaluation findings, these were highly relevant interventions to meet the needs of IDPs and host communities members. Some recommendations include:
- Inclusion of both IDPs and host community members enhanced social cohesion and improvedACF reputation among the targeted communities which is high priority and needs to bemaintained
- Needs assessment was a crucial activity in the project design and has to be maintained as oneof the main activities in ACF’s projects.
- Usually, need assessment reports identified needs and recommendations, it is also importantto outline the best possible methodology for addressing those needs in future process.
- Proper emergency market mapping and analysis needs to be done with commodity tradersas well as potential reliable mobile money transfer agents in the area so as to come up withthe most relevant and cost effective modality for cash transfer to beneficiaries.
- Both MPHC and livelihoods were essential needs for targeted population. However, there is no urgency for linking both interventions to same targeted population and area, rather than,should be based on need.