Inter-Agency Real Time Evaluation of the Humanitarian ... - alnap

IA RTE of the humanitarian response to Pakistan’s 2010 Floods crisis
Photo 4: Self made latrine in Gozo Camp, Dadu district, Sindh Province © Riccardo Polastro 2011
82. Nonetheless, many interviewees reported that they considered the standards to be
complicated, either because the GoP decided on standards other than those agreed to
internationally (i.e. sphere) or because of scarce resources preventing organisations from
providing assistance according to standards. One example is the shelter one‐housing policy;
many NGOs reported difficulties in implementing the standards due to their relatively high
costs, and consequently, they decided to go for cheaper and less permanent solutions – often
inadequately prepared for future floods. Other more easy applicable standards were not applied
either, including gender based violence guidelines, basic sanitary kits lacking essential female
products, etc.
83. While the sheer scope of the disaster made it difficult to apply internationally agreed
standards (Sphere and Oslo Guidelines) the UN did not speak with one voice and there was not a
common stance on the humanitarian space, standards, principles and guidelines. Pressure from
donors to use NATO Air Bridge during relief phase, HC and OCHA Emergency Relief Coordinator
stood up while some UN agencies pushed for the use of military air assets. Furthermore, in a
country like Pakistan standards, principles and guidelines should be negotiated in due time with
relevant government entities and institutions, and not dealt with once the emergency strikes.
The 2010 IA‐RTE (Displacement Crisis) already highlighted this issue (see recommendation 5) 32 .
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The HCT should develop an active strategy of humanitarian diplomacy to work toward a more principled
approach and a less constrained humanitarian space in Pakistan, including putting the issue on the agenda
for donors.
Riccardo Polastro, Aatika Nagrah, Nicolai Steen and Farwa Zafar
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