Monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL)

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) comprises a growing strand within humanitarian action. The point is simple: comprehend and demonstrate the impact of humanitarian intervention. Does it work? A straightforward question that is difficult to answer given the complexities and constraints of the humanitarian operating environment. MEAL involves tracking the progress of programs, making adjustments and assessing the outcomes. Equally challenging is the use of this information to foster change within the organization or even the system as a whole.

Interview to evaluation communications in a camp

Photo: Internews

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PHAP certifications

Certification badge for Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

The PHAP Credentialing Program offers Core and Advanced level certifications in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) (coming soon).

Key actors

Global network dedicated to improving the performance of humanitarian action, including through improving evaluations

Association offering training and support in monitoring and evaluation, compliance, financial management, program management, and HR & Learning

Conducts trainings and consultancy work on planning, monitoring, evaluation, impact assessment, and learning

Creates tools and approaches for rigorous evaluations and aims at strengthening health information systems in low-resource settings

Key references

Handbook providing guidance for designing and implementing a monitoring and evaluation system

Tools for the job

Tool to help select appropriate indicators, and to find standard definitions and applications of those indicators for needs assessment and monitoring and evaluation

Organizational perspectives

Detailed guide aiming to promote a common understanding and reliable practice of monitoring and evaluation for IFRC project and programs

Crosscutting themes

Protection activities

Evaluation guidance focusing on protection in humanitarian action seeking to address the challenges of the definitional problem for protection work, variation in protection approaches, understanding cause-effect relationships, and collecting data

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