Press Release - Department for International
Development: Operating in insecure environments
16 October 2008
The Department for International Development (DFID) has given
priority to the needs of the poor in insecure countries. It has
delivered benefits for them in difficult circumstances. But the
higher risks run in insecure environments have led to lower project
success rates. DFID could be better and faster at learning lessons,
according to a National Audit Office report released today.
The damaging effects of insecurity have hindered progress in
reducing poverty. DFID spends an increasing amount, now over £1
billion a year, on providing aid to insecure countries. But it has
had limited experience of operating in such countries, and
insufficient evidence on how best to adapt its approach to counter
the risks posed by insecurity. There has been progress against some
important indicators, such as those for health, but income poverty
has not yet reduced in most insecure environments.
Guidance for staff needs to be adapted to reflect the
challenges of working in an insecure environment. DFID teams in
insecure countries assess the extent and nature of conflict, but it
is less clear how far these assessments inform the design and
management of programmes. In order to improve the effectiveness of
aid operations, DFID needs to apply the lessons from practical
experience more quickly; for example by better assessing and
managing security risks and finding new ways to keep track of
progress when site visits are dangerous.
Staff recognise the skills of senior managers in country
teams in insecure environments, but there are still difficulties in
building skilled and experienced teams. DFID’s management of
security risks for its staff has been variable. Though the majority
of staff feel satisfied with security arrangements, further steps
could be taken in some locations to ensure staff feel adequately
protected. Since the National Audit Office study began, DFID has
conducted an internal review to help tighten its security
arrangements.
Much of DFID’s work in insecure countries is delivered
through partners such as host government agencies and international
or voluntary organisations. But two thirds of the projects the NAO
reviewed from insecure environments had problems arising from weak
partner capacity. DFID has assessed partner capacity in specific
cases, but has not looked systematically at potential partners in
insecure countries to make maximum use of existing capacity.
Working in insecure countries also makes the monitoring needed to
assess performance and guard against corruption more difficult for
the Department.
Tim Burr, head of the National Audit Office, said
today:
"DFID staff work hard – often in difficult and dangerous
situations – to deliver real benefits to some of the world’s most
vulnerable people. DFID could still make better use of its teams’
growing experience in this field to adapt standard aid practices to
meet the challenges presented by insecurity."
Notes for Editors
Our definition of an insecure environment is based on an
assessment of the safety of the general population and the personal
safety of aid workers.
DFID have a presence in the following countries, which are
classed as insecure: Afghanistan, Burundi, Democratic Republic of
the Congo, Iraq, Liberia, Nepal, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan,
Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Sri
Lanka, Uganda, Yemen, Zimbabwe.
Press notices and reports are available from the date of
publication on the NAO website, which is at www.nao.org.uk. Hard
copies can be obtained from The Stationery Office on 0845 702
3474.
The Comptroller and Auditor General, Tim Burr, is the head of
the National Audit Office which employs some 850 staff. He and the
NAO are totally independent of Government. He certifies the
accounts of all Government departments and a wide range of other
public sector bodies; and he has statutory authority to report to
Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which
departments and other bodies have used their resources.
Press Notice 42/07
All enquiries to Phil Groves,
NAO Press Office: Tel: 020 7798 5339
Mobile: 07770 678 477