The Philippines: understanding humanitarian networks

This case study is part of the Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance
in the Humanitarian Action (ALNAP) and Asia Disaster Reduction and Response Network
(ADRRN) research project exploring national level humanitarian networks in Asia. The objective of this research is to improve the knowledge base on networks in the humanitarian system. In particular, the research aims to increase our understanding of networking by national NGOs working on disaster and crisis response in Asia.

An important motivation for this work is to understand the current nature of networking at
a national level, to capture instances of success, and to draw conclusions about how these
successes could be replicated elsewhere. The particular research questions the project
addresses are as follows:

1. In what ways are organisations currently engaged in networking at a national level?
2. What form do these networks take and what functions are networks perceived as
   fulfilling – what functions should they be fulfilling?
3. How does the involvement of national organisations differ from international
   organisations in national level networks and coordination mechanisms?
4. How do networks on disaster and crisis response relate to networks on other relevant issues, such as Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and development agendas?
5. How are national networks linked to other networks at regional and international
   levels?
6. What leads to the emergence of networked forms of action?
7. What are the key challenges and opportunities for national level humanitarian
   networks?