Table 1 Overview of possible questions for measurement of the effect of humanitarian assistance on mortality
Question | Advantages | Limitations | Requirements for primary data collection | Expertise required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Has mortality remained within an acceptable range  Throughout the crisis?  Throughout the period during which HA was available? | Pragmatic | No evidence is generated that HA has actually helped and has been efficient No information is generated on specific strengths/weaknesses of the humanitarian response | Moderate | Low |
To what extent has the humanitarian response put in place services that, given the context, are plausibly sufficient to minimise excess mortality? | Emphasises specific strengths and weaknesses of the response: the evidence generated may have immediate utility and enhance governance | Less compelling to non-technical decision-makers than the other questions Difficult to compare results across crises | Moderate to high (depends on functionality of humanitarian information systems) | Low |
By how much has HA averted excess mortality? | Compelling evidence for non-technical decision-makers Estimates can be combined with other data to quantify efficiency | Results will likely come too late for action No information on specific strengths/weaknesses of the humanitarian response will be generated | High | High |