Adaptive MEL for Conflict and Natural Disaster Contexts in Mozambique

By Sergio Cunguara

Illustrations: Ivana Čobejová

Mozambique faces multifaceted challenges that make monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) particularly complex. From protracted humanitarian crises in regions like Cabo Delgado to the effects of climate change in vulnerable rural areas, MEL practice requires innovative and adaptive approaches.

This blog shares the practical experience of AVSI Mozambique and its partners in developing and implementing a complexity-sensitive MEL approach, with a focus on Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) and Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) in fragile and rapidly changing contexts. Through experimentation with tools such as the IASC AAP/PSEAH Self-Assessment, we explore new ways to learn, adapt, and respond more effectively to realities on the ground.

The MEL Context & Challenge

Mozambique faces complex challenges, including armed conflict in Cabo Delgado and frequent natural disasters such as cyclones and floods. These factors have caused internal displacement, increased vulnerabilities, and made community access difficult, complicating the monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian and development projects. The core MEL challenge was to obtain reliable, real-time data while integrating multiple sectors (protection, health, agriculture) to inform rapid and adaptive decision-making.

Key Learnings / Insights in Action
  • The use of digital tools such as KoboToolbox and WhatsApp facilitated data collection in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
  • Including community leaders in monitoring processes strengthened local engagement and improved the relevance of collected data.
  • Flexible indicator design allowed for adjustments in focus as the context evolved, particularly during emergency cycles.
  • Data sharing through interactive dashboards (e.g., Power BI) promoted transparency and collaborative decision-making among partners.
  • Investing in local capacity building was crucial to ensure sustainability and continuity of MEL processes.
The Approach: Integrated Adaptive MEL

The approach I developed is grounded in the concept of Adaptive MEL, which prioritizes flexibility, continuous learning, and community participation in complex contexts.

It operates through a combination of:

  • Real-time digital data collection using KoboToolbox and mobile devices.
  • Active community and local stakeholder engagement to ensure MEL reflects their needs and perspectives.
  • Dynamic analysis and data visualization using Power BI to track key indicators and quickly detect trends and changes.
  • Periodic reviews (“pause and reflect”) to adapt strategies and plans as on-the-ground conditions evolve.

Unlike traditional MEL, this approach emphasizes speed, adaptability, and multisectoral integration, which are essential in responding to volatility in Mozambique.

Image: The image illustrates project management, connecting field data collection using KoboToolbox, indicator visualization in Power BI, and the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) methodology.
📝 Action & Practical Insights

I implemented this approach in a joint project with NGOs and local authorities in Macomia district, Cabo Delgado:

  • Delivered training for community agents on the use of KoboToolbox, ensuring consistent weekly data collection.
  • Established Power BI dashboards accessible to all partners for immediate data visualization.
  • Conducted bi-weekly “pause and reflect” sessions, enabling adjustments to activities based on the latest data and community feedback.
  • This led to faster responses to displacements and emerging needs, and increased trust among beneficiaries in the MEL process.

Unintended results included the strengthening of local social capital, with communities feeling more heard and engaged in the MEL process.

💡“Aha!” Moment: Learning About MEL in Complexity

The key lesson was that MEL in complex contexts cannot be rigid or solely focused on quantitative data. Community participation and adaptive learning cycles are critical to capture nuances and respond to rapid change, especially in crisis settings. My approach enabled the identification of emerging patterns and the agile adaptation of interventions, improving the relevance and effectiveness of the projects.

Advice for other practitioners:

Invest time in building local capacity and remain flexible to adjust MEL systems as the context evolves. This experience reinforces the core themes of the MEL Sandbox: continuous learning, embracing complexity and uncertainty, and the need for rapid, participatory responses.