End Programme Evaluation of Humanitarian Integrated Afghan Refugees Assistance Programme

Objective:

End Programme Evaluation of Humanitarian Integrated Afghan Refugees Assistance Programme

About Project 
The Economic Opportunities for Afghan Uprooted People program aims to improve the livelihoods of Afghan refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Through vocational training and market-driven approaches, the program provides opportunities for individuals to acquire marketable skills, increase their income, and access essential services. The project targets 2,640 beneficiaries, including 80% Afghan Uprooted People and 20% Host Community Members, and is implemented by Mercy Corps in Balochistan and Kandahar. The program has successfully trained over 1,800 beneficiaries in various trades and facilitated cross-border collaboration to support refugees.

Services Provided:

Momentum conducted a comprehensive evaluation of Mercy Corps’ Humanitarian Assistance Program for Afghan Refugees, covering a wide range of interventions implemented from 2013 to 2016. Our evaluation focused on assessing the program’s effectiveness across health, vocational training, apprenticeship, and entrepreneurship programs.

Key Activities:

  1. Evaluation Design: We developed a comprehensive evaluation framework tailored to Mercy Corps’ specific needs and aligned with global evaluation standards. The evaluation encompassed a mixed-methods approach, including desk review, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, field observations, and analysis of project documents and monitoring data.
  2. Data Collection: We collected both quantitative and qualitative data from various stakeholders, including beneficiaries, program staff, and government officials. This data was used to assess program outcomes, challenges, and successes.
  3. Data Analysis: We analyzed the collected data using appropriate methods to identify trends, patterns, and significant findings. The analysis focused on evaluating the impact of the program on beneficiaries’ livelihoods, health, and well-being.
  4. Report Preparation: We prepared a comprehensive evaluation report that addressed the core questions of the evaluation, including:
    • Vocational Training: Employment rates, income changes, sustainability of self-employment, factors affecting unemployment, and stipend usage.
    • Community Midwife Training: Stipends, workstation equipment, training quality, and repatriation status.
    • Training Feasibility: Effectiveness of training in Afghanistan and repatriation status of trained refugees.

Deliverables:

  • Evaluation Plan: A detailed evaluation plan outlining the methodology, data collection tools, and analysis approach.
  • Inception Report: A preliminary report summarizing the initial findings and analysis.
  • Data Set: Complete data set, including questionnaires, transcripts, and other relevant documents.
  • Draft and Final Evaluation Reports: Comprehensive reports covering the executive summary, purpose, scope, methodology, findings, analysis, key lessons learned, recommendations, and annexures.

Impact and Significance:
Our evaluation provided Mercy Corps with valuable insights into the effectiveness of their humanitarian assistance program for Afghan refugees. The findings informed decision-making, identified areas for improvement, and contributed to the program’s ongoing efforts to support vulnerable populations.

Project Team:

Dr. Shehzad
Dr. Saima