Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia
West Africa Region
Technical Guidance Document
2019
Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia
West Africa Region
Technical Guidance Document
2019
The Balanced Design, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (BalanceD-MERL) consortium under the U.S. Global Development Lab’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning Innovations (MERLIN) program at USAID was testing how balanced integration across all aspects of D-MERL enables teams to rapidly learn and incorporate findings into program design. In May 2016, USAID’s Global Health Ebola Team (GHET) approached the BalanceD-MERL consortium (of which I4DI is a member) to request support with its monitoring, evaluation, and learning needs. As part of this engagement, the BalanceD-MERL consortium conducted: (1) a deep dive assessment of program and partner D-MERL and a high level review of GHET Strategy, MERL frameworks and performance monitoring systems to inform recommendations to improve the effectiveness of GHET’s monitoring and utilization of data for program decision making; (2) an endline performance evaluation of the GHET survivor-specific program; and (3) a data quality verification of 55 indicators against standard data quality criteria. The consortium also conducted an endline performance evaluation for the GHET within the USAID Global Health Bureau.
Ahead of the pivotal COP28 in Dubai, the world faces a stark climate reality, underscored by 2023 being the hottest year on record. This trend, signaling a significant rise in Earth’s temperature since 1880, calls for urgent action. Pre-COP28 events, such as the Africa Climate Summit and Climate Week in New York, have set the stage by focusing on renewable energy, sustainable growth, and resilience. COP28 will explore finance, technology, and inclusion, addressing climate financing, loss and damage, and innovations like green hydrogen. The conference must also acknowledge the disproportionate impact of climate change on Indigenous communities and low-emission countries. Despite strides in renewable energy and policies like the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and the EU’s Green Deal, more integrated strategies are needed. COP28 presents an opportunity for global leaders to showcase their commitment to comprehensive climate action.
The infographic titled “Gender Pay Gap in the United States, September 18, 2023” by Andrea Pozderac and Azra K. Nurkic, sheds light on the persistent gender wage disparity in the U.S. In 2023, women earned 84.5 cents for every dollar earned by men, indicating a 15.5 cent gap. The infographic explores various factors contributing to this gap, such as occupational segregation, work experience, and educational attainment. It also highlights state-wise disparities, with Connecticut showing the smallest gap and Utah the largest. Additionally, it underscores the overrepresentation of women in lower-paying jobs and the challenges faced by women of color.
The USDA FFPr Exporting Quality Program undergoes a comprehensive evaluation in this document, highlighting its impact and efficacy from September 2015 to December 2021. Managed by the International Executive Service Corps (IESC), this initiative strives to foster development and progress in the food sector. The Institute for Development Impact, with contributions from experts like Brian Foster, Molly Hageboeck, and Elizabeth Issac, has meticulously assessed the program’s trajectory, culminating in this final evaluation. The report delves into the program’s context, its alignment with desired outcomes, and offers insights into areas of improvement and success.
