UNHCR undertakes Real Time Evaluations (RTE) of large emergency operations to
independently assess the effectiveness of its operational response. In analyzing the
operation as it evolves, the RTE seeks to ensure that its findings are used as an
immediate catalyst for operational and organisational change.
After two days of meetings in Geneva the team travelled to Lebanon and Syria from
20 to 27 September 2006 where it met with UNHCR staff, members of the UN
Country Teams, NGO operational partners, donors and government representatives.
Meetings were also held with beneficiaries of the UNHCR programme in Beirut and
South Lebanon. Several lessons learnt papers prepared by UNHCR staff and other
agencies were also taken into account. Upon return to Geneva the team conducted
further interviews and held interactive debriefing sessions with UNHCR senior
management and staff.
The report begins with a list of recommendations which arise from the findings and
is followed by a general assessment of the main features of the emergency. There
follows a discussion of the findings with respect to Lebanon and Syria in two
separate sections. The Terms of Reference for the RTE figure in Annex 1.