A Quick Guide to Do No Harm
February 14th, 2009The Do No Harm approach (DNH) was designed in the 1990s as a tool for designing, evaluating and re-designing aid and development cooperation programs in a conflict context. The approach has been designed on the basis of the experience of many NGOs in the field. Here I want to give a quick and practical overview on how it works and what questions to ask. For a more thorough approach be sure to check out Mary B. Anderson’s older publication, but nonetheless useful Do No Harm. How Aid can Support Peace – Or War and the wealth of information at the Collaborative of Development Action’s (CDA) website: www.cdainc.com. CDA has been the key player in getting this tool developed, published and implemented.
Society impacts are central, not project results
DNH is a tool looking at a project’s impact in society. Not by looking solely at the beneficiaries of a program but more looking at the wider societal impact of a program of project, especially in (post-)conflict regions.