0.2 Why IM Matters?
The benefits of having IM in place
In humanitarian and development work, decisions must be made quickly, based on accurate and timely information. Information Management (IM) ensures that organizations have the data and insights they need to understand needs, design appropriate interventions, organize service delivery, allocate resources efficiently, monitor progress, and demonstrate accountability to affected communities and donors.
Without effective IM, humanitarian programs risk being reactive, fragmented, and less impactful. Critical information can be lost, duplicated, misinterpreted, or even misused—potentially leading to delays, inefficiencies, or harm to the very people organizations aim to support.
Effective IM is essential for several reasons, each directly impacting the quality and accountability of humanitarian programs.
0.2.1 Key Reasons Why IM Matters
Evidence-Based Decision-Making: IM ensures decisions are grounded in data and evidence rather than assumptions. Whether designing a response, targeting beneficiaries, or adapting programs to changing needs, quality information is critical for making the right choices.
Efficiency and Coordination: Good IM reduces duplication of efforts, improves information flow within and between organizations, and strengthens coordination across sectors. Shared standards and tools make it easier for humanitarian actors to work together and avoid gaps or overlaps.
Accountability to Affected Populations and Donors: Transparent, reliable information management supports accountability by documenting how decisions are made, how resources are allocated, and how communities' needs are addressed. IM also plays a key role in capturing community feedback, disaggregating perspectives across different population groups, and ensuring that information is shared back transparently — helping to “close the loop” and support more inclusive and participatory programming.
Protection and Data Responsibility: Proper IM practices safeguard sensitive information, ensuring that data is collected, stored, and shared responsibly and ethically. This reduces the risk of harm to individuals whose information is handled and aligns with global data protection principles like GDPR.
Adaptability and Resilience: In dynamic humanitarian contexts, where needs, risks, and operating environments change rapidly, strong IM systems enable organizations to adapt swiftly, update interventions, and build resilience into their programmes. By providing timely, relevant, and accessible data, IM supports rapid decision-making, agile planning, and effective reallocation of resources. It also facilitates documentation of lessons learned and the integration of early warning and continuous monitoring mechanisms, which are essential for anticipating and proactively responding to evolving needs. Moreover, beyond short-term responsiveness, robust IM contributes to long-term organizational resilience. It strengthens systems that are capable of learning, evolving, and sustaining impact even amid disruption. When extended to local partners, these practices also help build their capacity to manage information independently — enabling continuity of services and more locally led responses in times of crisis.
Strategic Resource Allocation: Reliable data on needs, coverage, and outcomes helps ensure that limited resources (funding, staff, supplies) are allocated where they are needed most, maximizing the impact of humanitarian efforts.
Sustained Learning and Institutional Memory: Systematic IM allows organizations to capture lessons learned, build on past experiences, and continuously improve programming. It supports knowledge management and ensures continuity even when staff turnover is high.
In this handbook, we particularly focus on the dimensions of Information Management that support programme design, delivery, and evaluation—ensuring that data about participants, activities, and outcomes is managed ethically, securely, and strategically to enhance humanitarian response.
Moreover, IM practices underpin localization efforts by equipping local actors — including national NGOs, local authorities, and community organizations — with the tools, data, and technical capacities needed to lead and coordinate responses effectively. When local partners have access to relevant information systems, such as data collection platforms, dashboards, or interactive maps, they can better plan interventions, monitor needs, and evaluate impact. For example, a community-based organization might use geospatial data to identify flood-affected zones or track food security trends in remote areas. By supporting local ownership of information systems, IM contributes to more sustainable, context-driven, and accountable humanitarian action.
REFERENCES & FURTHER READINGS:
Last updated