Humanitarian Research, Monitoring and Evaluation
Reliable Evidence for Effective Humanitarian Response
Somali Researchers Association (SRA) provides research, needs assessment, monitoring and evaluation services to organisations responding to humanitarian needs in Somalia.
We support humanitarian agencies, government institutions and development partners to understand affected communities’ needs, verify the delivery of assistance, measure programme results and improve accountability to beneficiaries.
Our work considers Somalia’s complex humanitarian context, including drought, flooding, displacement, food insecurity, conflict, limited access to essential services and the different needs of vulnerable population groups.
Our Humanitarian Research Areas
SRA can support research and assessments in areas including:
- Humanitarian needs and vulnerability
- Internal displacement and durable solutions
- Food security and livelihoods
- Cash and voucher assistance
- Health and nutrition
- Water, sanitation and hygiene
- Shelter and non-food items
- Protection and safeguarding
- Education in emergencies
- Climate-related emergencies
- Emergency preparedness and response
- Community resilience and recovery
- Humanitarian access and service coverage
- Accountability to affected populations
- Gender, disability and social inclusion
- Localisation and community-led response
How We Support Humanitarian Programmes
Humanitarian Needs Assessments
SRA conducts rapid and detailed assessments to identify priority needs, service gaps and vulnerable population groups. Assessments may examine access to food, water, shelter, healthcare, education, protection and livelihood opportunities.
Third-Party Monitoring
We independently verify whether humanitarian activities are being implemented as reported. Monitoring may include site visits, beneficiary interviews, observation, document review, GPS verification and photographic evidence where appropriate.
Post-Distribution Monitoring
SRA collects feedback from people who have received cash, vouchers, food, non-food items or other assistance. This helps clients understand whether assistance was received, used safely and appropriately, and met beneficiaries’ priority needs.
Programme Monitoring and Evaluation
We support baseline studies, real-time reviews, mid-term evaluations, final evaluations and outcome assessments of humanitarian and early-recovery programmes.
Beneficiary Feedback and Accountability
SRA conducts community consultations, satisfaction surveys, perception studies and interviews to understand beneficiaries’ experiences, concerns and recommendations.
Facility and Service Verification
Our teams can verify humanitarian service points, distribution sites, schools, health facilities, water points and other supported infrastructure. Verification may assess functionality, accessibility, utilisation and compliance with agreed standards.
Market and Price Monitoring
We collect and analyse market information to help clients understand prices, product availability, supply conditions and the purchasing power of households receiving cash or voucher assistance.
Our Methods
Depending on the assignment, SRA may use:
- Rapid and multi-sector needs assessments
- Household and beneficiary surveys
- Digital data collection using CAPI and CATI
- Key informant interviews
- Focus group discussions
- Direct observation and facility verification
- Post-distribution monitoring
- GPS and photographic verification
- Market and price assessments
- Document and programme-data reviews
- GIS and service-coverage mapping
- Case studies and outcome monitoring
Responsible Research in Crisis Settings
SRA applies conflict-sensitive and do-no-harm approaches when working with crisis-affected communities. Participation is voluntary, informed consent is obtained, and personal information is managed confidentially.
Our teams receive assignment-specific guidance on safeguarding, respectful engagement, data protection and the inclusion of women, children, persons with disabilities, displaced populations and other groups that may face additional barriers.
Typical Deliverables
Our humanitarian assignments may produce:
- Humanitarian needs-assessment reports
- Third-party monitoring reports
- Post-distribution monitoring reports
- Baseline, mid-term and final evaluation reports
- Beneficiary-feedback and satisfaction reports
- Facility and activity-verification reports
- Market and price-monitoring reports
- Cleaned and validated datasets
- Maps, dashboards and visual summaries
- Corrective-action recommendations
- Briefings and presentations for decision-makers
Local Knowledge and Nationwide Reach
SRA combines humanitarian research experience with a nationwide field network. Our locally recruited teams understand community structures, local languages, cultural practices and operating conditions across Somalia.
Field deployment is planned according to accessibility, security conditions, ethical requirements and the needs of each assignment.
Work With SRA
Whether you need a humanitarian needs assessment, third-party monitoring, post-distribution monitoring, programme evaluation, beneficiary survey or facility-verification assignment, SRA can provide practical and context-sensitive support.
Contact SRA to discuss your humanitarian research, monitoring and evaluation requirements.