IAF takes a comprehensive approach to emergency response: first, by working with communities to prepare for and mitigate the impact of disasters; then, by partnering with local groups to provide immediate assistance when an emergency hits; and finally, by working with survivors to help them recover after the crisis has passed. IAF’s emergency response is part of a long-term commitment. We place great importance on building local capacity and long-term resilience to external shocks. IAF is committed to meeting international standards of quality and accountability when we respond to emergencies, and making sure communities have a say in planning, implementing and evaluating our response. Our expansive country wide reach, robust network of partners, years of experience and long-standing reputation as a leader in the field distinguish us from other organizations and enable us to employ a targeted range of strategies to address the underlying causes of poverty, which are often exacerbated by emergencies. We combine innovative, community-based programming with national and international advocacy efforts to influence change at all levels. The following are some of the distinctive attributes that allow IAF to affect transformative results:

We coordinate with State offices and other stakeholders in affected areas to ensure immediate oversight, logistical support and staff roles and responsibilities. More than 95 percent of IAF’s country staff are nationals mostly originating from of the counties where they work, which lends significant cultural, linguistic, political and operational skills to every humanitarian response we undertake. We also take a leading role in helping communities prepare for and mitigate the effects of disaster

IAF recognizes that, in many disaster contexts, women have magnified vulnerabilities and little power in decision making. Their specific needs and aspirations can often be overlooked or neglected in the recovery process of re-establishing livelihoods. As a result, we give priority attention to analysing their special needs and ensuring that specific issues connected to their livelihood recovery are addressed. This focus extends well into the rebuilding phase and forms the basis for our relief and development work around the country.

Our humanitarian imperative is not only to help vulnerable people and communities, but also to keep improving the ways we serve them. IAF achieves this goal through robust monitoring and evaluation strategies and practices, which are at the very root of our organizational culture. Our monitoring and evaluation strategy is designed to not only assess impact and provide continuous program improvement, but also provide accountability and transparency to donors who’ve invested in our work.

From early warning systems to the pre-positioning of essential supplies, IAF continually trains and equips emergency response teams within our 4 offices Countrywide. We also maintain with the support of UNICEF warehouses with Education in emergency supplies ready to mobilize at a moment’s notice, there is also very close collaboration with other UN Agencies such as UN-FAO, UNDP etc, ICRC among other International and national agencies plus other stakeholders.

IAF is at the forefront of efforts to improve the speed, quality and effectiveness of emergency response Countrywide. With support from a variety of donors including UNICEF, UNDP among others, we are the focal point of humanitarian agencies working to streamline Education in Emergencies work and interagency cooperation in the former Western, Eastern and N. Eastern Provinces

More than 90 percent of IAF’s expenses fund direct program activities