Cross Cutting Evaluation of DFID’s Approach to Remote Management in Somalia and North-East Kenya

By Department for International Development (DFID)

Over the past 2 decades, aid and development agencies have more frequently undertaken interventions in countries that are experiencing violent conflict or pose other security risks to staff and beneficiaries. In order to mitigate these risks, agencies now often use remote management practices and tools. These vary in terms of degree, from situating decision-makers remotely, to locating staff at a distance from project activities.

In some cases, remote programme management is a provisional response to temporary security and logistical challenges that make direct implementation of programmes impossible. However, in some areas ongoing violent conflict and natural disasters have created complex emergencies that have continued over an extended period of time. In this type of response, remote management practices have become the new norm.