Combined evaluation of the EU's humanitarian interventions in the Southern Africa and Indian Ocean (SAIO) region and DG ECHO's WASH policy (2019-2023) : final report

The objective of this combined evaluation was to produce an independent evaluation covering the period of 2019-2023 of two key components, namely: the EU's humanitarian interventions in the Southern Africa and Indian Ocean (SAIO) region (Part A), and DG ECHO's WASH policy (Part B). Part A concluded that DG ECHO-funded actions in SAIO across different sectors were relevant, addressed the needs of crisis-affected populations, and were overall effective. DG ECHO strategy in SAIO was well designed, with a relevant focus on Disaster Preparedness. Efforts on the operationalisation of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus were also positively assessed. Advocacy and communications activities could be strengthened. Part B found that DG ECHO-funded WASH actions were overall effective, despite persistent challenges concerning technical capacity and WASH expertise among partners. Although DG ECHO's funding to the WASH sector has increased during the evaluation period, so did the number of people in need of WASH services and the funding gap in this sector, highlighting that growing needs continue to outpace available resources.