Behind the Scenes at IMPACT | Reflecting on World Humanitarian Day and the People Behind the Data 

Each year, August 19 marks World Humanitarian Day, a day dedicated to advocating for the protection of civilians, including humanitarians, in conflict zones.

At IMPACT, the organization behind the REACH initiative, we used this year's World Humanitarian Day as an opportunity to reflect on the people that define our work—from our colleagues to the people and communities we engage daily. It inspired us to highlight the often-unseen realities of work in our new video series “ Voices of IMPACT” and our interactive StoryMap “ An MSNA in Burkina Faso”. These initiatives offer a candid perspective on the work we do, the challenges we encounter and the impact we strive to make.

The MSNA in Burkina Faso | The Intricacies of Data Collection in Crisis Contexts 

How do humanitarian actors determine where to direct their resources in the complex landscape of Burkina Faso? Data from the 2024 IMPACT Multi-Sectoral Needs Assessment (MSNA), gathered from over 6,457 households, aims to answer this question by providing a clear, unbiased picture of the current needs in the country. 

MSNAs, conducted as part of REACH programming, are more than just data collection exercises; they are essential tools that build a robust, comparable, and people-centred evidence base, advancing IMPACT Initiatives' mission to ensure fair and impartial prioritization of humanitarian assistance at both national and global levels.

This year’s MSNA covers all 13 regions of Burkina Faso and 29 priority provinces, analysing areas like food security, health, and water to provide a comprehensive view of the humanitarian situation. Conducting an MSNA on this scale requires meticulous planning and coordination. Challenges such as unstable network connection, language barriers, and lengthy interviews (averaging 80 minutes and covering more than 700 indicators) add to the complexity. Despite these obstacles, the data gathered is essential for accurately assessing needs and guiding effective humanitarian responses. 

To shed light on the complexities, challenges, and processes involved in conducting an MSNA, we recently published an interactive storymap. This tool illustrates how the collected data is translated into actionable insights, guiding resource allocation and shaping response plans. 

Voices of IMPACT | Stories from the field 

To highlight the people behind the data, IMPACT launched “Voices of IMPACT: Stories from the Field,” a series that shares the personal experiences of our team members across our REACH, AGORA and PANDA programmes, whether they’re working on the frontlines or supporting our efforts from headquarters.  

MSNA Data Collection in Burkina Faso, Photo by IMPACT Burkina Faso

Featuring stories from people like Nestor Cheryba, a Technical Coordinator in Ukraine; Juliette Denizart, the Learning and Development Officer at HQ; and Souleymane Maiga, an Assessment Officer in Burkina Faso, this series offers a glimpse into the daily realities of humanitarian work. 

As we reflect on these efforts, it serves as a reminder that behind every dataset and output are people committed to making a difference. It’s their work, often under difficult and complex conditions, that drives IMPACT’s mission to inform actions that meet the real needs of people in crisis. 

More REACH News:  

A recent analysis by REACH reveal that Venezuelan migrants and refugees in Colombia continue to face major financial challenges, even when they have income sources. Their economic instability raises concerns about the formality and quality of their jobs, as many struggle to find dignified and well-paid employment.  

In the Horn of Africa, droughts and floods are now outpacing conflict and insecurity as the biggest threats to communities, disrupting livelihoods and food security. By combining remote sensing data with intersectoral assessments, REACH’s latest report in the region reveals the urgent need for regional strategies and remote sensing tools to better guide interventions, especially in vulnerable and hard-to-reach areas of Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia. 

Check out our latest vacancies!

Afghanistan | Deputy Country Coordinator

Afghanistan | Senior Assessment Officer Cross-Cutting Unit Analysis

Benin | Responsable de recherche 

Mali | Responsable de Recherche Associé

Ethiopia | Research Manager

Haiti | Coordinateur.rice / Représentant.e pays

About REACH

REACH is a leading humanitarian initiative that collects primary data and produces in-depth analysis to help aid actors make  evidence-based decisions in support of crisis-affected people. With this in mind, our flagship research programmes aim to inform the prioritisation of aid according to levels of need - both crisis-level planning and targeted rapid response - as well as decisions around appropriate modalities of aid. Through our team of assessment, data, geospatial, and thematic specialists, we promote the design of people-centred research and set standards for collecting and analysing  rigorous, high quality data in complex environments

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