The humanitarian landscape has grown increasingly complex since 2020, with overlapping crises demanding innovative approaches to community engagement. From the COVID-19 pandemic to escalating conflicts and climate-related disasters, these challenges have highlighted the critical importance of accountability in driving effectiveness and efficiencies in humanitarian response. The growing digital divide, widespread displacement, and increasing access constraints have further emphasised the need for adaptive, context-specific approaches to community engagement. In light of 2025's funding changes, community engagement has become even more vital to ensure our programmes effectively reach those with the greatest needs.
Evidence continues to highlight concerning gaps between humanitarian organisations' accountability commitments and their practical implementation. These shortcomings stem from multiple factors, including limited technical expertise, resource constraints, and fragmented coordination among humanitarian actors. The situation is often exacerbated in complex operating environments where traditional accountability approaches prove insufficient or unfeasible.
NORCAP addresses these challenges by assigning CEA experts to key roles, focusing on better coordination between agencies and supporting local efforts. Their work has shifted to aim for wider impact, with experts increasingly taking senior roles that can influence accountability practices across entire humanitarian responses.
This document examines five CEA assignments undertaken between 2022 and 2024, analysing their impact across diverse humanitarian contexts. Drawn from experiences in Ethiopia, Ukraine, Latin America, Myanmar, and Gaza, these case studies offer insights into the practical implementation of accountability mechanisms in complex humanitarian environments. By examining these assignments, we can better understand successful approaches, persistent challenges, and opportunities for strengthening accountability in humanitarian action.
The following case studies were informed by interviews with NORCAP CEA experts and their UN Agency colleagues/supervisors in late 2024.
