Advancing humanitarian action through applied social research

Technological advancements, new data methodologies, and increased interdisciplinary collaboration have all reshaped how research can inform interventions in crises, particularly in increasingly resource-scarce humanitarian contexts. At IMPACT Initiatives, we strive to rigorously apply the most relevant research methods in our work.

To that extent, at the start of 2024 IMPACT launched an in-depth literature review, supported by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, to reflect on the evolution of applied social research and its growing relevance to the humanitarian and development sector.

Research methods must be tailored to the challenges they aim to address. Employing a range of methodologies, along with innovative tools and solutions, is crucial for effectively tackling complex social issues.

Maintaining rigorous ethical standards is key in humanitarian research, especially regarding data protection and the responsible handling of collected information. These standards are crucial for safeguarding the dignity of the communities involved throughout the research process.

Researchers must prioritize not only the generation of rigorous evidence but also collaborations and partnerships—both between researchers and policymakers and among researchers themselves—to ensure that research remains actionable and relevant.

Finally, by addressing existing knowledge gaps through mapping the landscape of research actors, applied social research can be made more relevant and impactful in complex humanitarian contexts.

This shared review underscores our commitment to promoting positive change and learning within the aid system through evidence-based approaches.

Read the full review

UKRAINE
Leveraging AI for a more responsive damage assessment process

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has become increasingly relevant in the research to enhance data collection, analysis, and dissemination. And at IMPACT, we are working to incorporate these technologies into practices.

During the initial stages of assessment of Izyum and Nikopol, IMPACT used UADAMAGE's AI-assisted damage detection, then verifying through visual inspection to confirm the severity of the damage and to distinguish between residential and non-residential buildings. This method proved to be effective, accelerating data analysis and while improving the accuracy of the results for more relevant and timely findings. Find our more about our collaboration with UADAMAGE here or read more about our damage assessment findings in Izyum and Nikopol.

IMPACT Quarterly Picks

Introducing the new quarterly picks, here you will find a selection of our latest data and analysis covering a range of themes and countries:

LEBANON
Lebanon has experienced heightened conflict activity since October 2023, with a significant escalation as of the 23rd of September 2024.

At the time of writing, there are significant information gaps on the impacts of the conflict on the population. IMPACT is actively engaged at both country and global level, through launching rapid needs assessments, conducting joint analysis, and supporting the coordination and prioritization of the response. Follow our Lebanon Crisis Thread for all our latest insights and analysis on how the situation is evolving.

UKRAINE
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has resulted in extensive damage to the built environment, with disruptions to all aspects of daily life. We explore how communities experience and cope with infrastructural damage in our latest analysis in conflict-affected settlements in Ukraine.

SUDAN
The conflict in Sudan has caused widespread displacement, leaving internally displaced persons (IDPs) especially vulnerable to additional shocks such as environmental hazards. In response, IMPACT has developed flood susceptibility maps, pinpointing high-risk areas across the country.

About IMPACT

IMPACT Initiatives is a think-and-do-tank based in Geneva. IMPACT aims to shape practices and influence policies in humanitarian and development settings, in order to positively impact the lives of people and their communities. IMPACT is a Geneva-based is the largest independent data provider in contexts of crisis. We aim to support a range of stakeholders to make better, more informed decisions in humanitarian, stabilisation, and development settings. We believe that a key pathway to better planning and decision-making is direct engagement with local communities and their leaders.

IMPACT takes an initiative-based approach to structuring our programming. Each initiative – REACH, PANDA and AGORA – has a specific aim, operational model, and portfolio of solutions. Discover more on our website.

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