Abstract
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) commissioned a third-party performance evaluation of The Marawi Response Project (MRP). MRP is USAID’s development assistance response to address the long-term rehabilitation needs of the communities affected by the Marawi Siege that happened in March-October 2017. The evaluation covers the following areas: relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability.
The evaluation utilized a convergent mixed-methods design. The data were generated through the endline survey, focus group discussion (FGD), key informant interviews (KII) and document review. The evaluation team gathered data from individuals, communities, and organizations in the twenty-two municipalities and two cities within Lanao Del Sur and Lanao Del Norte. The evaluation team analyzed the quantitative data using descriptive and inferential statistical tools and the qualitative data using content analysis.
The evaluation team finds that MRP’s relevance to the needs of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host community members (HCMs) is anchored on its application of USAID’s guidance on co-creation processes, adaptive management, and local partnerships. The project’s effectiveness is expressed in terms of: creating stimulus for the restoration of individual and community capacities to engage in economic activities; improving beneficiaries’ perceptions of polarization and public participation; reducing gender and other social gaps; and offering opportunities for IDPs to locally integrate.
The team finds that MRP has established concrete sustainability mechanisms that are essential in sustaining the outcomes of the project. These mechanisms focused on harnessing partnerships and synergies with project stakeholders; laying the foundation for the Community Solidarity Group (CSGs) to be qualified for future government support and to be linked to potential markets; empowering the CSGs to continue to operate, serve their members, and even scale-up their livelihoods after the conclusion of MRP; and establishing a social fabric for the harmonious involvement, participation and interaction of IDPs and HCMs as they scale up their activities.
Based on the findings, the evaluation team forwards recommendations that USAID, local government units (LGUs), and other development actors could consider in terms of: planning, designing and implementing future interventions; ensuring sustainability of project gains; and conducting future evaluation and research endeavors.
DISCLAIMER
This report is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this report are the sole responsibility of Panagora Group and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or of the United States government.
