A Thematic Evaluation Of The IOM's Migration Crisis Operational Framework (MCOF)

The Migration Crisis Operational Framework (MCOF) thematic evaluation assesses the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) overall performance in applying the Framework in crises with mobility dimensions, explores the development of IOM’s technical expertise for managing it, analyses MCOF’s relevance to IOM’s mandate, operational responses and to new developments in the humanitarian and development fields, and examines the internal synergies and institutional steps taken for an effective and sustained use of this Framework as a key decision-making and management tool for the Organization’s comprehensive response to crises(before, during and after).

The evaluation also explores the challenges of applying the MCOF, and lessons learned and best practices, namely from two selected case studies (Libya and South Sudan), and provides recommendations on the strategic approach of the Framework, reporting and operational procedures. Accordingly, the evaluation highlights the strategic, institutional and operational relevance of the MCOF for IOM at the global, regional and national levels. It also discusses the extent to which the application of the MCOF has helped achieve the four objectives underpinning the Framework, from the perspectives of IOM staff and Member States, as well as from the documentation review. Finally, the evaluation explores how resources (human and financial) have been converted into outputs in support of applying the MCOF and what the outcomes (medium-term) and impact (long-term) have been for IOM at the various levels. Overall, the findings reveal that the MCOF remains an institutionally and strategically relevant document for the Organization. While the Framework has been found to be an effective tool in the few cases where it has been applied, greater efforts are still required to increase its operational use, relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, outcomes and impact.