This paper provides background and analysis to inform the research teams’ approaches to phase one of a multi-stakeholder evaluation of ‘Impact of humanitarian assistance on livelihoods affected by humanitarian crises in Uganda: An analysis of communities’ and humanitarian actors’ perspectives on socio- cultural dynamics.’ The study is organised under the auspices of a multi-agency steering committee and led by the World Food Programme. Members of the steering committee include the OPM, MAAIF, MoH, MGLSD, OCHA, FAO, WFP, UNICEF, UNHCR, UNFPA, WHO, UNDP, WVI, NRC, IRC, OXFAM, SCiUG, ACF, and bilateral agencies.