DARA carries out a variety of evaluations in the humanitarian and development sector and also develops its own independent initiatives, such as the Humanitarian Response Index, and the Disaster Risk Reduction Initiative. DARA's organisational and institutional capabilities allow us to respond to needs quickly, efficiently and with flexibility.

“Presently [DARA] is defining the direction of our bilateral cooperation”
- José María Troncoso
Former head of the Technical Office of the Spanish Cooperation Agency on DARA’s evaluation
of AECID’s work on civil society and good governance in Algeria in 2005

Democratic Republic of Congo ©2008 DARA

Independent evaluations
DARA carries out evaluations for a variety of clients including UN agencies, the International Red Cross movement, the European Commission, governments and non-governmental organisations. It engages in real-time evaluations, carried out during rather than after a humanitarian emergency operation, helping to solve operational problems as they occur. The organisation also has special expertise in system-wide evaluations, where the international response to a crisis is evaluated across all sectors and includes a broad spectrum of actors. Serving a wide range of commissioners both from the public and private sectors, our areas of expertise include:

• Humanitarian action and international development – linking relief, rehabilitation and development
• Peace building, conflict resolution and good governance
• Disaster risk reduction, climate change and environmental issues
• The effectiveness, accountability and transparency of aid
• Organisational performance, good practice and learning from experience

Humanitarian Response Index (HRI)
The Humanitarian Response Index is the world's first independent instrument for measuring the individual performance of humanitarian donors. The Index, now in its third year, ranks 23 of the wealthiest governmental and inter-governmental donors according to the quality and effectiveness of their funding and support of humanitarian action. The purpose of the Index is to ensure that all institutional donors are held accountable and that their funding has the greatest possible impact for people affected by conflict and disaster.

“The HRI helps guarantee that every dollar of humanitarian assistance is used to provide the right kind of aid, to the right people, at the right time. The millions of people affected by crises and emergencies deserve as much.”
- Kofi Annan
Former UN Secretary-General and President of the Global Humanitarian Forum

Disaster Risk Reduction Initiative (DRRI)
There is a pressing need to create knowledge and forge partnerships that will reduce our vulnerability and exposure to disasters. The Disaster Risk Reduction Initiative (DRRI) aims to reduce the vulnerability of local communities affected by disasters by strengthening their commitment, understanding and capacities at all levels. As part of this Initiative, DARA is developing a global Risk Reduction Index in Central America and the Caribbean to look at how effectively the countries of this region are acting to reduce the risk of disaster. Once finalised, it will be possible to replicate its methodology in other parts of the world.