Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks

Session title: Maximizing impact: making humanitarian action more cost efficient

Organizer(s): OCHA and IRC

25 Mar 25 11:00-12:30 UTC+1 (Pleniere F)

SessionAbstract

Amid declining funding, scalable and cost-effective humanitarian action can greatly enhance the reach and effectiveness of each dollar spent. This session will highlight a better way of enabling cost-efficiency in humanitarian response: it is not just about adopting the 'cheapest' alternative or reducing overhead costs, but adopting the most context-appropriate, impactful solutions at scale e.g., adopting simplified wasting treatment protocols, distributing cash before a disaster strikes or working collaboratively to save money on common services. The session will look at the enablers of cost-efficiency, in particular, collaborating ‘from the ground up’ and undertaking cost analysis to improve trust and transparency in the numbers.

Agenda

*Time*	Speaker guide
11:00 – 11:10	Introduction by moderator: session framing and aims
11:10 – 11:20	Presentation on cost efficient humanitarian action and initial lessons learned from cost analysis
11:20 – 11:50	Remarks by each panelist Cash interventions: insights from cost data analysis Using cost data to estimate and sense-check financing needs Interagency collaboration to enhance cost efficiency: UN Mobility
11:50 – 12:20	Moderated Q&A with audience
12:20 – 12:25	Final remarks and next steps

Speakers

Panelists

· Paul Bartilol, Cost Analysis Technical Advisor, Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

· Federico Ercolano, Senior MEL Advisor,Mercy Corps

· Lucian Lee, Best Use of Resources Technical Lead, International Rescue Committee (IRC)

· Stefano Nicolai, Head of UN Mobility (UN Booking Hub), Management Services Division, World Food Programme (WFP)

· Lilian Barajas, Costing lead and Global Humanitarian Overview Coordinator, OCHA (moderator)