Early Warning - Delayed Response? Lessons from IFRC Horn of Africa Appeals 2008-2010

This report is based on a review of four international Appeals of the IFRC in the Horn of Africa, from 2008 to 2010. The review took a food security lens to broadly assess the whole ‘Appeal’ process, from assessment and analysis, project/programme design, resource mobilisation, coordination, implementation and impact. Over fifty interviews were conducted with RCRC staff, in Geneva, Kenya, Djibouti and Ethiopia, as well as by telephone. Branches and beneficiary communities were also visited in Kenya and Ethiopia.

The scope of this review is broad given the number of issues, actors, institutional layers and different contexts within the Movement (different branches, NS’s, PNS’s, IFRC and ICRC). As such, and in order to maximise the potential readership and impact of the report it has been
kept short and with the purpose of attempting to bring out emerging issues of relevance to the wider Movement. It is structured into 4 sections: Key Findings; Emerging Issues and Recommendations; Background to the Region; Analysis of Appeals.