A Refugees International study recently provided an economic analysis that shows that increased use of local intermediaries in Ukraine can deliver aid 15.5% more efficiently than using international non-governmental organizations (INGOs).
- The report also finds that less than 1% of UN aid to Ukraine directly funds local entities.
- The report also states that UN international staff cost twice as much as INGO international staff, 5x its national UN staff, and 17x local NGO staff.
- The report recommends greater transparency on NGO cost structures, pass-through of overhead costs to local entities, increased use of pooled funds at the local level, re-balancing the advantages of INGOs with the strengths and networks of local NGOs, and continued analysis of localization efforts.