Quantifying Resilience: Data-Driven insights into ShelterBox's Legacy
Client: ShelterBox
Location: Global
The Problem
The client had an idea that needed exploring and required external resource to dedicate time to developing a solution. As a proactive humanitarian aid organisation, ShelterBox’s data insights team wanted to learn how their work after a disaster later affects the social and economic impact within a region. ShelterBox is a small cog in a huge humanitarian machine that responds to emergency requirements after a disaster – it is a complex, fragile and coordinated effort.
What We Did
Firstly, we designed a structure for the project – by separating the various types of disaster from one another, we ringfenced a specific subsection to analyse: Natural disasters. By consulting with other NGOs, charity impact specialists and strategic partners, we gathered a good understanding of how other charitable organisations measure this same information. Then we scrutinised academic and field research to see if there were examples of similar measurement studies in the past. Many exist, however, there was a high level of subject bias, subjective data categorisation, excluded information or lack of recorded data available. With a better understanding of which data points had previously been recorded, we set to looking at existing models and frameworks for analysis, management and measurement. These could theoretically be applied to design of new data collection for financial analysis and resilience planning.
“Ipsa Consulting was provided with a kernel of an idea that they subsequently shaped into a viable research proposition and reviewed from a variety of interesting perspectives. The research has scratched beneath the surface of what is undoubtedly a more nuanced concept than was first conceived. It was an academic interrogation of the subject area which has led to a more considered set of recommendations as a result.”