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Sustaining health system progress in fragile settings: Lessons from South Kivu
Improving health outcomes in fragile and conflict-affected settings requires sustained commitment, resilient systems, and alignment between programmes and broader contextual realities.
A recent assessment led by hera examined the impact of the fifth round of the Programme d’Appui au Système de Santé du Sud Kivu (PASS V) on the health system and population outcomes in South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The programme was supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (DDC) through its office in Bukavu. The evaluation aimed to assess programme performance, capture lessons learned and inform future investments—including the ongoing Programme Santé Maternelle et Infantile (PSaMI).
Evaluating UNICEF’s work in primary health care: lessons for the future
In 2024, hera partnered with UNICEF and Euro Health Group (EHG) to conduct a global evaluation of its work in strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC). Primary Health Care is central to building equitable, resilient, and people-centred health systems, and remains central to global efforts to achieve universal health coverage and the SDG 3 targets.
In recognition of this, UNICEF commissioned a global thematic evaluation to assess its support to PHC across countries and regions, and to generate evidence that would inform future strategic, policy, and programme decisions. hera was contracted to carry out this evaluation, which covered UNICEF’s PHC-related work between 2018 and 2023.
Understanding factors shaping adolescent nutrition and mental health in Latin America: a new UNICEF study
hera recently contributed to a regional qualitative study led by UNICEF LACRO examining how obesogenic and sociocultural environments influence body image, mental health, nutrition, and physical activity among adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean. Conducted in Peru and El Salvador, the study offers new insights into the behavioural drivers and lived experiences of young people—an increasingly important focus area for global health research.
Unveiling the gendered impact of climate change in the Sahel: A groundbreaking study led by young women researchers
The Sahel region stands at the crossroads of climate change and gender inequality, where the escalating climate crisis disproportionately impacts adolescent girls and young women in their diversity. Recognizing the urgent need for a gendered analysis of these challenges, Plan International West and Central Africa Office commissioned hera to conduct a pioneering study on the gendered impact of climate change on adolescent girls’ rights in the Sahel. This research, conducted with an intersectional feminist approach over two phases, engaged 25 young women as co-researchers and 5 mentors, ensuring that the voices and lived experiences of adolescent girls and young women were at the heart of the study.
Harnessing evidence for impact: hera’s evaluation of the UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP)
hera was contracted to assess the UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP).
Assessing the impact of the Norway-India Partnership Initiative on maternal, newborn and child health
Read our latest post on the evaluation of the Norway-India Partnership Initiative (NIPI). Learn about the efforts of NIPI in providing support and fostering innovation in maternal, neonatal, and child health in India.
DESIP National Family Planning in Kenya Learning Conference - Nov 27 & 28, 2023
This report evaluates Kenya's DESIP program, which boosts family planning access in 12 counties. It explores the program's impact on reducing unmet needs and fertility rates, especially for marginalized groups.
Fact sheet on the Maternal Health of Women and Girls of African Descent in the Americas
This fact sheet was developed by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with the support of a hera team that included Adria Armbrister, Marianne Eelens, and Alejandra Martinez.
Gender, HIV and Youth Mainstreaming Strategy of the Seed Knowledge Initiative (SKI)
SKI is comprised of 16 partner organisations in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa with the aim of improving farmer-led seed knowledge systems and helping smallholder farmers to become more seed, food and nutritionally secure.
Mozambique - MTR cooperation Flanders Mozambique - Flanders BuZa
hera's MTR evaluated implementation progress, identified challenges, and provided recommendations for improvement. The findings helped shape the subsequent CSP phase, emphasizing innovation and addressing key healthcare issues.
External Evaluation of the UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP) 2013-2017
hera was selected to conduct the fourth external evaluation of the HRP covering the period from January 2013 to December 2017.
hera supports EU-funded program to reduce Maternal and Child Mortality in Guinea Bissau
Over a span of four years, the hera team worked to improve access to quality healthcare for pregnant women and children under five in Guinea-Bissau.
Universal Health Coverage for Sexual and Reproductive Health in the Asia-Pacific Region
The study of universal health coverage for sexual and reproductive health in the Asia-Pacific Region was undertaken by hera under contract by the United Nations Population Fund Asia and Pacific Regional Office.
Assessing the Impact: BMGF & DFID's Reproductive Health Programmes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
In an effort to promote reproductive health and accessibility to quality-assured reproductive health commodities in low- and middle-income countries, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and the Department for International Development (DFID), now known as the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), rolled out two independent, yet complementary, programmes geared towards ensuring hormonal contraceptives become more readily available, of high quality and affordable.