Real-Time Evaluation (RTE) of Action Against Hunger’s Emergency Response
North Kivu Crisis – M23, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Context and Sector of Intervention
Since late 2021, North Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has faced a major humanitarian crisis linked to the resumption of armed conflict between the M23 movement and government forces. Successive waves of violence have led to massive population displacements, severe pressure on essential services, and increased vulnerabilities, particularly in water, sanitation, nutrition, health, and mental health.
In this context marked by persistent insecurity and significant access constraints, Action Against Hunger (ACF) has deployed a multisectoral emergency response in several areas of North Kivu, including Goma, Rutshuru, Nyiragongo, and surrounding internally displaced persons (IDP) sites.
Mission Objectives
Arko Consulting, as the lead evaluator, was tasked with conducting a Real-Time Evaluation (RTE) of ACF’s emergency response.
The evaluation aimed to:
- assess the speed and quality of the initial response to the various waves of the crisis;
- analyze the relevance, ethics, and appropriateness of interventions in relation to the needs of affected populations;
- examine the access and implementation strategy in a constrained operational environment;
- identify key lessons and recommendations to support the adaptation of ongoing interventions and inform future responses.
Approach and Methodology
Arko Consulting was responsible for the design, coordination, and methodological oversight of the evaluation, employing a rigorous and context-adapted approach for North Kivu.
The methodology was based on:
- an in-depth analysis of operational and strategic documentation;
- individual interviews with ACF teams, partners, local authorities, and coordination actors;
- group discussions and consultations with affected populations;
- field observations and systematic triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data.
This participatory and iterative approach enabled real-time analyses, integrating the perspectives of staff and beneficiaries, and producing actionable feedback for operational teams while adhering to international humanitarian evaluation standards.
Results and Contributions
The evaluation highlighted:
- ACF’s ability to rapidly mobilize resources in a volatile security context, while underscoring challenges related to logistics, human resources, and coordination;
- strengths and limitations in the implementation of multisectoral interventions, particularly regarding speed, service continuity, and access to populations;
- cross-cutting issues related to ethics, accountability to affected populations, coordination with partners, and exit strategy planning in a prolonged crisis context.
The recommendations provided by Arko Consulting offered ACF a clear operational and strategic framework, aimed at continuous improvement of the response, strengthening local capacities, and better adaptation to the evolving dynamics of the crisis.
