LASER PULSE: Incentives & Barriers for Private Sector Engagement in Humanitarian Assistance (Report 2/3)

The wide range of motives and additionalities from the private sector, aid agencies, and aidreceiving government agencies drive private sector engagement (PSE) in humanitarian assistance (HA). Available evidence of PSE in HA is often based on qualitative findings. Nevertheless, private enterprises' role, motives, and barriers to PSE have yet to be fully explored to learn, adapt, and effectively program PSE within HA activities. This evidence report, the second in a series of three, discusses findings related to the motives and barriers of PSE in global and regional contexts and across different sectors, stages, and types of emergencies. Based on an analysis of 184 documents, our results are general insights into PSE in HA but do not aim at statistical validity and generalization. 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. In brief, our analysis reveals that while the private sector serves as a useful enabler in HA and disaster relief, more research is required to determine the effects of the barriers and incentives on effective PSE.