Using CLA to Bridge the Humanitarian-Development Nexus

Helen Keller International (HKI) incorporated collaboration, learning and adaptation (CLA) into the design of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Bandarban Agriculture and Nutrition Initiative (BANI), recognizing that continual learning and adaptive management are critical for increasing success in dynamic settings such as the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) – a post conflict area experiencing frequent disasters.

The humanitarian-development nexus was initiated with the Resilience Food Security Activity, (RFSA) Sustainable Agriculture and Production Linked to Improved Nutrition Status, Resilience, and Gender Equity (SAPLING), laying a strong foundation by building resilience. Its conclusion coincided with the onset of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic prompting USAID Bangladesh to initiate BANI to strengthen critical outcomes as covid lockdowns threatened livelihoods and to strengthen gender equitable food security.

BANI furthered the humanitarian-development nexus through strategic sequencing and layering, using the platform to inject cash via a BHA grant for PEP pregnant and lactating women (PLW) to meet basic needs, integrated in the longer-term development intervention as part of an overall ER4 approach.

BANI used CLA as part of its adaptive management approach utilizing strong monitoring and evaluation for learning techniques involving routine and annual data collection review and discussion with all stakeholders, from front line staff to partners to government and donor stakeholders to determine how to pivot programming to fill gaps. Further, targeted investigations were also undertaken to determine the “why” behind the “what”. Outcomes should be stronger as a result of real time discovery and solutions for those challenges impeding impacts.