Evaluation report: CAFOD Ukraine response

Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, over 6 million sought refuge in neighbouring European countries and beyond, and another 3.6 million were displaced within Ukraine.

Over two years on and millions of people remain displaced and many more continue to need humanitarian assistance. In response to the full-scale invasion, CAFOD launched a new programme which has supported 157,000 people to date with multi-sectoral humanitarian aid through partner-led projects worth £23 million funded by a combination of funds from the DEC appeal, CAFOD appeal and other donors. CAFOD is working with Ukrainian partners Depaul Ukraine, Caritas Ukraine and Caritas Spes-Ukraine in the country.

Objectives of the evaluation

The aim of this mid-term evaluation was to evaluate CAFOD’s emergency response between March 2022 and June 2024, and to provide actional recommendations and insights to shape the remainder of the programme, as well as CAFOD’s humanitarian work more widely.

The evaluation centred on the following critical learning questions:

1. Is CAFOD effectively supporting their partners' capacity to deliver effective, safe and dignified programming?

2. Is the support CAFOD are providing to their partners translating into better outcomes at the community level?

3. Is CAFOD providing good practice examples of quality partnership and funding within their own programme?

4. Is CAFOD providing enough financial and technical support for partners to meaningfully engage in advocacy initiatives?

5. Is CAFOD using their platform with donors, Caritas Internationalis member organisations (CIMOs) and other agencies to advocate for localisation?

6. Is the support that CAFOD is providing to partners, and the engagement they have in the wider policy space in Ukraine, leading to:

   • Local leadership in the response?

   • Equitable partnerships?

   • Greater access to quality funding?