This is the first evaluation conducted on an individual cluster. The evaluation assessed the effectiveness, efficiency, utilization, results and satisfaction of the Logistics Cluster’s products, services and activities at global and country levels. The Cluster’s operations were found to be relevant, effective and provided value to participating organizations. While the ability of the Cluster to learn and apply lessons was hindered by the lack of systematic approaches, the Cluster demonstrated improvement over time.

Jointly commissioned by WFP, Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UNICEF

Context

Conflict over water is an increasing problem all over the world and the Netherlands has a unique combination of expertise in water management and international law. With that in mind, Minister for European Affairs and International Cooperation Ben Knapen has asked four organisations based in the Netherlands to set up a new Water Diplomacy Consortium to help resolve water conflicts.

In southern Turkey foreign minister Uri Rosenthal visited Kilis refugee camp, situated on the border with Syria, where he spoke with refugees and the Turkish authorities running the camp. The Minister also met with Syrian activists.

Mr Rosenthal viewed a cargo container home, a field hospital, a school and a clinic for psychosocial counselling. ‘I am deeply impressed by the shelter and protection afforded to these people by the Turkish authorities,’ he reported.

The Netherlands is giving an extra €1 million in aid to victims of the conflict in Syria. The Red Cross will use the money to provide 200,000 Syrians with food and medical help.

This additional sum comes on top of the €6 million already donated by the Netherlands to the UNHCR and the World Food Programme, and the annual general contributions to the various aid organisations currently active in Syria.

Foreign affairs minister Uri Rosenthal today pledged support for the opposition and the civilian population in Syria. He was speaking from Istanbul where he had met with Abdulbaset Sieda, head of the Syrian National Council, Syria’s main opposition group, and his predecessor Bourhan Ghalioun, among others.

During these talks the Minister pledged €4 million of humanitarian aid from the development cooperation budget. ‘Over 100,000 Syrians have fled to neighbouring countries and there is a lack of food and medication in Syria,’ the Minister said.

The Netherlands has pledged nearly one million euros in extra emergency aid to curb the famine threat in the Sahel region. Ben Knapen, Minister for European Affairs and International Cooperation, said today the money will go to the Red Cross to provide food aid in drought-plagued Burkina Faso and Chad.

May 22, 2012

Afghanistan needs economic growth and good governance just as much as security. The Netherlands has stressed this point at the NATO Summit in Chicago, prime minister Mark Rutte has told journalists.

Today the NATO allies will consider the strategic plan for Afghanistan from 2015 to 2017. The country will then be responsible for its own security, with funding from the international community. The Netherlands will contribute an annual €30 million: €25 for policing and €5 for the armed forces.

News article | April 21, 2012

Strengthening the agriculture sector and food security is crucial to developing countries becoming self-sufficient. This is why the Netherlands is donating €100 million to the private food sector in these countries over the next five years. International cooperation minister Ben Knapen signed an agreement to this effect with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Washington last Saturday.