Learning the lessons? Assessing the response to the 2012 food crisis in the Sahel to build resilience for the future

The analysis reveals that, although the 2012 response was bigger and, in many respects, better than responses to previous crises, there were still significant shortcomings that need to be addressed. The report mentions the difficulties in terms of leadership, the inconsistency of messages on the severity of the crisis and some problems in the donor funding. The report underlines the importance of tackling three key structural challenges that weakened the 2012 response, just as they did with previous responses: i) develop a shared understanding of vulnerability, ii) break down barriers between humanitarian and development actors, iii) invest in strengthening the capacity of national and local actors.

Oxfam, ACF, Save the Children - April 2013