Tracking humanitarian spending in Iraq

We’ve recently started a project looking into transparency in humanitarian emergencies. We started tracking humanitarian spending in Iraq using the two main global reporting standards: IATI and OECD-DAC. But comparison is challenging and the results are striking. In this blog we visualise the data that has got us thinking, and ask the community why the figures don’t always add up.

Job opportunity: Advocacy Manager

We have a great opportunity for an Advocacy Manager to lead exciting work into how transparency can support the development and humanitarian sectors. If you are skilled in conducting and managing research and advocacy in international development, humanitarian assistance and foreign affairs, with great networking and communication skills, then come and join our dedicated, ambitious team. This is a full-time role based in our London office.

Other reading

And here’s what else we’ve been reading…

A Staffordshire University study examines a new approach to tackling corruption in Nigeria, where citizens are mobilising the use of technology and social media to produce evidence that’s used to hold officials to account. The research found a positive link between citizens using technology and social media to monitor infrastructure projects and better completion rates and standards for the infrastructure projects. It also pointed to challenges, including a lack of data to enable citizens to monitor infrastructure projects.
 
Representatives from two Grand Bargain signatories, World Vision International and ActionAid UK, have written a blog on the future of humanitarian transparency for Development Initiatives. The blog reflects on the practical use of transparency for better decisions and co-ordination and advocating for greater efficiencies; it also considers the challenges that lie ahead.
 
Luminate has published a retrospective looking at how and why the field of open data evolved globally over the past decade, and where the field is today.
 
This news story describes how the Zimbabwe Government is asking NGOs and development partners to provide it with budget information to improve the transparency of aid efforts following cyclone Idai.

The UK’s National Audit Office has produced a report on what the country’s official development assistance spending is achieving in practice. It finds that the government makes limited use of performance information, which limits understanding of and the ability to increase effectiveness. It points to a lack of progress in improving transparency, and concludes that it is unclear whether ODA spending is delivering the desired value for money.