Helpdesk Reports
The last decade has witnessed renewed interest in the social benefits of higher education, with recent research suggesting that universities have a role in nurturing developmental leaders who enable positive change and better governance in low-income and conflict-affected countries (Brannelly et al, 2011b). This review summarises available evidence on the relationship between higher education, developmental… Read more
Financing for social protection often comes from government funds. Any way of expanding fiscal space could therefore be useful with the political will for prioritisation (UNESCP, 2016). Egypt created an Economic Justice Unit in the Ministry of Finance to review expenditure priorities, and Costa Rica and Thailand shifted military spending to finance universal health services… Read more
The evidence found for this report shows that vending machines have been used to make contraceptives available to vulnerable groups in low and middle income countries in a number of programmes. Examples from different parts of the world include: A six-year HIV prevention pilot programme started in 2009, which plans to install 100 CVMs using… Read more
This report examines the influences on educational programming in conflict-induced emergencies. It questions whether standardised interventions are appropriate and effective educational responses, and focuses on child-friendly spaces, school-feeding programmes, and pre-packaged education kits. It draws on a review of literature, and the country studies of Sudan, Lebanon, Uganda, and Timor-Leste.
This study looks at how schooling in East Timor was affected by the political violence and human displacement that followed the consultation held in September 1999 to decide its constitutional future. The reports makes a critical examination of the steps taken to re-establish education under the auspices of the United Nations Transitional Authority in East Timor… Read more
This publication asks, what happens when a humanitarian crisis with political roots interacts with a humanitarian crisis induced by environmental disaster? Focusing on Sri Lanka and Indonesia, countries that were dealing with complex upheavals long before the 2004 tsunami struck, this publication shows how the storm shifted the goals of international aid, altered relations among and… Read more
Conflict and displacement create distinctive challenges for education practitioners. However, opportunities for reform and positive change within the sector also arise simultaneously during and after conflict. This book explores some of the prospects for positive transformation. A series of 10 case studies presents specific examples of how positive change has been implemented in the education… Read more
This report is a summary of an extensive evaluation undertaken by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) of its response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. It focuses on Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Maldives — countries that had the most serious damage and received 84 per cent of UNICEF tsunami country-level funds. The evaluation mainly… Read more
Young children are extremely vulnerable in emergency situations. In a field which typically focuses on the three pillars of humanitarian assistance—food, water, and health—individuals working in emergencies often see a need to do more. They want to do more for very young children and their families, and they seek real-life examples of successful programming that… Read more
In 2012, a multi-year strategic partnership was initiated between UNHCR and Educate A Child (EAC), a programme of the Education Above All (EAA) foundation. Since 2012, EAC has enabled over 266,000 out-of-school refugee children to access primary school in 12 countries through UNHCR and its partners. EAC complements the roll-out of UNHCR’s Refugee Education Strategy… Read more
If WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) services are to deliver continuous benefits to users they must be supported by strong, responsive in-country institutions. Strengthening of permanent institutions tasked with service management requires approaches that don’t simply stop at the delivery of taps and toilets, but extend to the whole service delivery chain. This document is… Read more