INSO/International NGO Safety Organisation Afghanistan 2022-2024

INSO has recently been granted a cost extension. Here below some of the items mentioned in that assessment as concerns results and partner capacity. In addition to the above, the new information at hand is the very recent challenges and interferences by the de facto authorities which is now in the process of hopefully being resolved. Despite a highly fluid context with severe challenges, INSO has been able to navigate the terrain and performed well during the timeframe of the current contribution. Sida has had a continued dialogue with INSO and INSO has been able to meet its objectives and indicators as per the current contribution. Sida has also visited INSO on a few occasions in Afghanistan (May 2023 and June 2024), visits which has confirmed INSO relevance for the broader NGO community. Of particular note is INSOs success in obtaining an MOU with the Ministry of Economy in December 2023, a major milestone in INSO's relationships with the de facto authorities and enabling INSO to continue to perform its activities in Afghanistan. INSO also has a highly dedicated and competent leadership in place in Afghanistan. For more details on the achievements of INSO during the current contribution, including how it has managed to handle the ban on female staff, kindly see separate statement of reports in Trac and dox. INSO regularly conducts partner beneficiary surveys to assess the relevance and quality of its services. The last survey was launched on 13 of December 2023 and closed on the 15 of February 2024. A total of 131 responses were received. An online questionnaire was designed with Microsoft Forms and distributed to all INSO partner staff members who are recipients of INSO services and registered on the INSO Partners Portal. The questionnaire was organized into three main parts: 1) To capture partner opinions on the services they received, 2) To measure the level of satisfaction with INSO services, and 3) To understand how INSO services have been used. There were high levels of satisfaction from NGO respondents to the partner satisfaction survey with 94% of respondents being either very satisfied or satisfied (the full survey was attached to the statement on report for the period 1 January 202331 March 2024). The financial report and audit report from the period 1 January 202331 March 2024 provided a clear overview of the financial status of the project to that date. The audit report, audited by Grant Thornton, included a cover letter, auditor's report, financial information and management letter. The audit opinion was unmodified. The management letter takes note of two items independent check of inventory and discrepancies in HR function. The items listed are not of severe nature and INSO has taken note of them for future compliance. Sida has also been in touch with other donors, such as Switzerland (SDC) and ECHO. The feedback from these interactions have confirmed the capacity and relevance of INSO. In addition, Sida has signed a humanitarian partnership with INSO at the global level. During that appraisal Sida has received various due diligence assessment also from other donors (such as the Netherlands). These reports confirm the adequate capacity of INSO in terms of internal controls.

Theory of Change: IF NGO partners utilise INSO services, THEN they will have better contextual awareness and understanding, allowing them to anticipate risks, make better decisions and ultimately operate and deliver aid more safely. Outcome: Humanitarian and development organisations in Afghanistan have access to timely, reliable, and high-quality safety services that help them plan, operate and deliver aid more safely. Outputs: O1. Information, Analysis and Advice NGOs are provided with objective and reliable security information and advice. O2. Security Management, Preparedness and Capacity Development - NGOs are supported in developing their individual security management preparedness and capacity through direct support and training.