Afghanistan: understanding humanitarian networks

This case study is part of a wider ALNAP/ADRRN research project investigating networks of
humanitarian actors in a number of Asian countries. The objective of the research is to improve the knowledge base around networks in the humanitarian system, and to deepen understandings of their form, function and capability in delivering improvements in emergency response and preparedness.

In addition, the project aims to increase understanding of the networking activities carried out by national NGOs working on disaster and crisis response. An important motivation for this work is to understand the current nature of networking at a national level, to capture instances of success, and to attempt to formulate propositions about how these successes might be replicated elsewhere. The particular research questions the project addresses are as follows:

1. In what ways are organisations currently engaged in networking at a national level?
2. What form do these networks take and what functions are networks perceived as
   fulfilling – what functions should they be fulfilling?
3. How does the involvement of national and international organisations in national level networks and coordination mechanisms differ?
4. How do networks on disaster and crisis response relate to networks on other relevant issues, such as DRR and development agendas?
5. How are national networks linked to other networks at regional and international
   levels?
6. What leads to the emergence of networked forms of action?
7. What are the key challenges and opportunities for national level humanitarian
   networks?