NGO accountability and power dynamics in safeguarding: the core humanitarian standard in theory and practice in refugee camps in Sudan

Fuchi, Mayumi (2024). NGO accountability and power dynamics in safeguarding: the core humanitarian standard in theory and practice in refugee camps in Sudan. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

The heightened exposure of exploitation and abuse by aid workers in 2018 resulted in watershed moment for the aid sector, in particular regarding accountability toward affected populations. Despite extensive efforts by aid providers, including establishing a range of complaint mechanisms, abuse continues and remains under-reported, leaving victims to suffer in silence. This thesis investigates NGO accountability and safeguarding failures in the humanitarian aid sector. It does so by focusing on the Core Humanitarian Standard of Quality and Accountability (CHS) and applying this to the case study of refugee camps in Sudan.

The thesis draws on in-depth qualitative research in two stages. Employing a "What’s the problem represented to be?" approach, this research first deconstructs the CHS using 42 interviews and review of 128 documents to analyse how accountability is conceptualized and framed within the Standard. It identifies a conceptual gap in the CHS, particularly in its framing of accountability and its failure to recognise and address power imbalances. Secondly, a case study of refugee camps in Sudan is developed to examine the implementation of complaint mechanisms and inter-agency coordination within the displacement context. Through 63 in-depth interviews and 7 months of follow-up correspondence, the thesis exposes the widespread SEA committed by multiple types of stakeholders and analyses dynamics of power across spaces, levels, and forms using Gaventa’s powercube approach. It also explores the responses of aid providers to encourage refugee populations to come forward with
SEA concerns.

This research identifies gaps in current complaint mechanisms and argues that, although CHS has played a role in reinforcing policy development, a lack of explicit actionable indicators on power imbalance in the Standard has contributed to its limited ability to transform the ‘closed’ space of power to a ‘claimed’ one. Leveraging my distinctive positionality as an insider practitioner-researcher, the thesis goes beyond providing academic insights to offer actionable, practical recommendations to enhance NGO accountability, contributing to a safer aid sector.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):