Humanitarian Assistance and Accountability: What Are We Really Talking About?

Abstract

The concept of accountability is defined poorly in many humanitarian organizations. Humanitarian providers often refer to different concepts when talking about accountability in general. The lack of a common understanding is contributed by the semantic and practical complexities of the term. The lack of emphasis on "enforcement/enforceability" is noteworthy. Other aspects of accountability, such as its "measurability" and by whom, similarly lack a common understanding and community-wide consensus. To what extent these vague definitions of accountability affect agencies' work in the field remains to be documented.

Disaster Metrics: A Comprehensive Framework for Disaster Evaluation Typologies

“…The term "accountability" seems to represent a whole range of concepts and principles. 105 The ALNAP is an example of an international organization dedicated to improving humanitarian performance through accountability and increased learning. 109 For the purpose of this Typology, the term "accountability" will be defined as the means in which power is used responsibly.…”

Promoting Disaster Resilience Through Use of Interdisciplinary Teams: A Program Evaluation of the Integrated Care Team Approach

“…Only the perspective of the providers was obtained; no input was obtained from recipients. The data, therefore, do not reflect the full spectrum of effectiveness (Tan & von Schreeb, ).…”

“…Exploration of related topic areas in humanitarian assistance such as “accountability” may be helpful in advancing this area of research. Although accountability has not been specifically defined, major themes identified in a literature review on the topic include “empowering aid recipients, being in an optimal position to do the greatest good, meeting expectations, and being liable” (Tan & von Schreeb, , pp. 267–68).…”

“…267–68). Among the concepts related to these themes are responsible use of resources, performance monitoring and assessment, fulfilling commitments, responding to aid recipients, and balancing of needs (Tan & von Schreeb, , pp. 267–68).…”

World Health Organization and emergency health: if not now, when?:

“…39 WHO, however, sees itself as accountable to and providing technical assistance to governments, even those with dubious legitimacy. 4 Although WHO's performance is overseen by member states and, specifically, its executive board, these governance arrangements do not enable in-depth monitoring of crisis performance; this would require objective metrics and systematic evaluations by independent experts.…”