REACH Initiative

REACH is a joint initiative of IMPACT, its sister-organisation ACTED, and the United Nations Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT). REACH was created in 2010 to facilitate the development of information tools and products that enhance the humanitarian community’s decision-making and planning capacity. All REACH activities are conducted in support of and within the framework of inter-agency aid coordination mechanisms. REACH facilitates the development of information tools and products that enhance the capacity of aid actors to make evidence-based decisions in emergency, recovery and development contexts. All REACH activities are conducted through inter-agency aid coordination mechanisms. Why was REACH created? REACH was created in response to two critical gaps in the humanitarian system 1. Gaps between the supply and demand of humanitarian information in emergencies In conflict and natural disaster contexts, aid actors face serious challenges in collecting data in a systematic and comprehensive way, often resulting in significant gaps in the information required for designing, planning and evaluating aid. REACH was created to fill these gaps in order to promote evidence-based humanitarian action. 2. Limited understanding of crisis-affected communities and their settlements Humanitarian action is typically structured around the linear relationship between household needs and sector specific response. Conversely, crisis affected populations have multiple needs and often turn first to community support networks in their settlement. REACH promotes a better understanding of crisis-affected communities within their settlements.