Rapid review of DFID’s humanitarian response to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines

Our approach

The purpose of this review was to provide a timely assessment of the appropriateness and effectiveness of the UK government’s contribution to the aid effort in the Philippines mobilised over November and December 2013. We took a beneficiary-centric view of the support and look, in particular, to assess the extent to which the UK-supported activities are meeting the needs and priorities of those affected.

This review assesses whether the Department for International Development’s (DFID) response was appropriate for the humanitarian needs of the people affected and whether DFID worked effectively with national stakeholders in the Philippines and within the broader international humanitarian architecture to meet immediate needs and work towards sustainable recovery in the affected areas.

Review questions

The review focuses on eight core questions:

1. To what extent does DFID’s response to Typhoon Haiyan meet the humanitarian needs of the people affected?
2. How well was the DFID response aligned with the global efforts of the multilateral community and the NGOs and how well did DFID make the choice of delivery partners and mechanisms?
3. How effective and timely were the initial decision-making processes led by DFID across government in relation to the emerging disaster?
4. To what extent has DFID’s support had the desired outcomes for the targeted populations? What are the expectations for future recovery of intended beneficiaries and other community members in the affected regions? Have there been any structural impacts from the flow of funds and aid delivery mechanisms? Are local people being suitably engaged?
5. To what extent did DFID apply prior learning, especially the recommendations of the HERR, to its planning and implementation of support to this disaster? What difference has this made to DFID’s processes and decisions?
6. How is DFID drawing lessons from the first phases of response to the crisis to shape future programming?
7. DFID has pledged longer-term support to assist the Philippines. Is this support focussed on achieving sustainable outcomes for those affected and what shape will it take, given that DFID currently has no bilateral programme in the Philippines?
8. How has the UK response assessed and taken account of the capability and contributions of national authorities (including the military), local communities and private sector?