Babatunde A. Ahonsi, UN Resident Coordinator in T¨¹rkiye, explains how the ""?contributes to the broader Humanitarian Reset and UN80 Initiative, reflecting on what worked well and, equally, learning from our missteps to be able to strengthen future response efforts.
Why are learning and accountability?so critical in emergency response, especially in the aftermath of crises like the T¨¹rkiye¨CSyria earthquakes??
Learning from both successes and failures allows humanitarian responders to refine disaster preparedness and response strategies. By analyzing what worked and what did not, approaches can be adapted to better serve affected populations in emergencies.
Transparent evaluations are equally vital in securing sustained and flexible funding, as donors are more likely to invest in initiatives that clearly show impact and accountability with efforts grounded in honesty and willingness to improve.
Moreover, system-wide learning fosters stronger collaboration among diverse actors ¨C including UN agencies, NGOs, civil society organizations, government bodies, and the private sector.
At a time of growing misinformation and pressure on the humanitarian system, how can evaluations like this help reinforce the integrity and relevance of our work?
The answer lies in using evidence-based findings to counter misinformation. The independent nature of evaluations and the use of mixed methods give the process and its outcomes credibility.
It?openly acknowledges limitations, which truly demonstrates a commitment to honesty and continuous improvement.?
And let us not forget that this transparency reassures affected communities that their feedback is not only heard but taken into account to better respond in the future.
What are the key lessons learned, according to you, in responding to an earthquake in an upper-middle-income country??
There are several, and I feel those should be taken into account in the Humanitarian Reset and UN80 Initiative.
First, colleagues working in the humanitarian or?development workstreams, especially senior UN staff, must have a good understanding of the coordination mechanisms and operational procedures on both sides of the spectrum?to quickly shift from emergency response to recovery and development.?
Second, we must ensure leadership continuity for?operational effectiveness.
In parallel, we must strive to complement national efforts and localize the response to the extent possible in contexts where international support aligns with nationally led initiatives.
This requires strong relationships, deep system knowledge, and joint preparedness planning before a crisis occurs.
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