Combined Evaluation of the European Union’s Humanitarian Interventions in Iraq and in the Protection Sector(2014–2018)

This combined, independent evaluation focuses on DG ECHO’s humanitarian interventions in Iraq and its humanitarian protection interventions globally from 2014 to 2018; it includes a case study on child protection and education. There was some variability in the quality of needs analyses in Iraq and globally, with good relevance of programming relative to needs identified and the context including for advocacy, though with questions regarding the decreased funding in 2018. The Iraq response was consistent with DG ECHO’s mandate, with weaknesses regarding the nexus. Actions in Iraq and globally were generally coherent with protection policies, with integrated programming somewhat less so with mainstreaming. EU added value included DG ECHO’s field presence and collaborative approach. Programming in Iraq and globally generally achieved short-term objectives, with protection mainstreaming somewhat weaker; addressing broader threats and deeper vulnerabilities encountered more challenges. Advocacy in Iraq had multiple areas of success, though could be strengthened further. Efficiency and cost-effectiveness in Iraq were appropriate, with possibilities for building staff capacities and availability. Nexus results were relatively weak despite some successes. Recommendations focus on strengthening protection programming, advocacy, strategic planning, capacity for assessing efficiency and cost-effectiveness, deliberation around humanitarian principles, and the nexus.