LASER PULSE: Dissecting the Evidence Landscape of Private Sector Engagement in Humanitarian Assistance (Report 1/3)

Despite documentation that private sector engagement (PSE) in the humanitarian assistance (HA) field has grown in recent years, robust evidence of its impact is largely lacking. Available evidence of PSE in HA is often based on qualitative findings. This evidence report, the first in a series of three, discusses the evidence and gaps in PSE in HA and is solely based on an analysis of 184 documents, which does not reflect the universe of experience. In brief, the analysis of such engagement seems overwhelmingly positive and cross-cutting across sectors and regions. The main concerns in this context are the lack of comparative studies and a better knowledge of the full extent to which private sector actors engaged in humanitarian assistance. This report is intended for USAID staff, private sector partners, and the broader humanitarian community to understand the state of the evidence in this field to better inform future engagement.