External Evaluation of the Inter-Agency Secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR)

The Interagency Secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction is a small organisation with a formidable set of tasks and responsibilities. The Yokohama Strategy and the Hyogo Framework for Action present a gargantuan challenge to the international community in putting the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) into place. This evaluation analyses how the Secretariat addresses its fundamental challenge of deciding where to apply its limited resources within this huge challenge. It considers the relevance of the Secretariat’s work and the effectiveness of the chosen strategic priorities and work plan. In order to draw conclusions about what the Secretariat could and should aim to accomplish, the evaluation has strived to assume a pragmatic but forward-looking frame of reference.