Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Local Development Planning and Decision-Making Processes: Mid-term review and evaluation report

In February 2015, Australia commissioned an independent review of the ERAR in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), coordinated by the World Health Organisation and co-funded by DFAT and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). The purpose of the review was to assess the effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the investment to strategically inform partners' management actions in the current program phase until its proposed end date. The review also considered the program's position in relation to changing national, regional and international malaria elimination strategies.

The report was finalised in June 2015 and was well received by partners in terms of its balanced findings and constructive recommendations. The report recognised early program challenges against mid-term achievements to inform current phase recommendations, as well as strategic forward planning options. Overall, the review team assessed that the project is on track to achieve the desirable results defined in the project framework, although there has been uneven progress towards meeting the different objectives.

Program management responses to key recommendations proposed by the IMTR team have been developed by DFAT and, where appropriate have incorporated more detailed sub-recommendations. Management responses have been agreed through consultation between DFAT, the BMGF and WHO and will be implemented over the remaining program period, or as otherwise indicated.