This blog series accompanies the Mortality Estimation Systems Innovation Partnership (SIP), supported by UKHIH–Elrha, which brings together diverse partners to strengthen how mortality data is collected, understood, and used to inform humanitarian decision-making. Earlier blogs in this series examined why putting mortality at the centre of humanitarian response is critical for understanding crisis severity; explored the barriers to, and opportunities for, strengthening local and national actors’ leadership within the mortality estimation ecosystem; and highlighted efforts to make mortality estimation approaches fit for purpose for national actors to operationalise in constrained and challenging crises contexts.
In this fourth blog, we turn our focus to how the Save the Children-led Mortality Estimation Initiative is working to advance this shared agenda and establish mortality estimation as a systemic metric in humanitarian action. Building on foundations laid under SIP Phase 1 and the momentum of Phase 2, the consortium shares how it is working to align actors, build a shared vision, strengthen governance, and create a digital hub for resources.
Putting mortality evidence at the centre of response
Humanitarian crises are growing more protracted, complex, and interconnected, even as the resources to address them become increasingly stretched. Failing to measure mortality risks normalising preventable deaths and obscuring the true human cost of crises.
Through UKHIH’s Mortality Estimation SIP, institutions funded under Phase 1 have already laid critical foundations demonstrating both the urgency and feasibility of better mortality estimation. They also underscored an essential truth:
Without consistent, credible mortality evidence, humanitarian decision-making and response will continue to operate with a blind spot at its centre.
Designing an aligned and coordinated system
As one of three consortia funded under SIP Phase 2, the Save the Children–led Mortality Estimation Initiative brings together Save the Children, IMPACT Initiatives, and Evidence for Change (E4C) to strengthen how mortality data is captured, interpreted, and used across the humanitarian sector. Drawing on the learnings from SIP Phase 1 & 2, the Initiative will prioritise building inclusive governance, field-ready guidance, and locally driven approaches, supporting methods that are not only rigorous but firmly grounded in the operational realities of crisis-affected contexts. The partners in our consortium blend:
- IMPACT Initiative’s technical, operational, and methodological expertise and presence in humanitarian settings
- E4C’s leadership on capacity strengthening and localisation of research and uptake in complex crises
- Save the Children’s operational reach, convening influence, humanitarian public health expertise and operational footprint in crisis-affected contexts globally
Together, we aim to coordinate the development of a Strategic Framework, Localisation & Engagement Strategy and practical resources including toolkits, to support national and local actors to undertake mortality measurement so as to inform data-driven action.
Building on proven collaboration models
In this new endeavour we draw on Save the Children’s experience leading the READY Initiative, which strengthened NGO preparedness for major disease outbreaks by augmenting ongoing efforts, partnering with global and regional fora and filling identified gaps to develop practical tools, coordinate learning, and establish a multi-lingual trusted platform for outbreak readiness and response capacity strengthening among local and national actors. READY demonstrated the impact of creating a shared vision, guidance, a central digital hub, and an inclusive convening model. Several success factors from READY that we aim to replicate include:
- Strong national engagement, particularly with Ministries of Health, to ensure relevance, ownership and sustained use of tools and approaches
- Filling identified gaps and increasing access to resources, including practical and accessibility and uptake of resources and centralised learning and resource hubs - including tools in 4+ languages and in‑person piloting in diverse crises contexts.
- Facilitating cross-learning, within national capacity strengthening cohorts
- Using national feedback to set priorities and improve outputs, through regional advisory groups.
Operating within a complex and often fragmented ecosystem of humanitarian research, with academic, governmental, international NGOs and national actors, the Mortality Estimation Initiative recognises that technical solutions alone are not enough. Our approach to convene diverse stakeholders through an inclusive and equitable governance structure is designed not simply to inform activities, but to actively shift from silos to collaboration, navigate political challenges and support strengthening technical capabilities to produce credible, timely mortality evidence.
Through the Strategic, Technical, and National Advisory Groups, the Initiative will;
- Promote alignment among actors
- Foster innovative approaches and resources
- Centre and strengthen local and national capability
With support from these advisory groups the Initiative will develop a shared strategic framework and by fostering coherence across efforts these mechanisms aim to harness learning, strengthen collaboration, and innovate methods to build a more coordinated and resilient mortality estimation ecosystem.
The Initiative Version 2.0
The Initiative was originally set up with the support from the U.S. Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance and was paused due to the USAID stop-work order after five months. Today, it’s revived with UKHIH and European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) co-funding over 2 years, restarting in the “reset” era.
Longer term funding for mortality estimation is not guaranteed. Embedding mortality estimation as a core metric and capability across the humanitarian system will require sustained commitment from donors, agencies, and national institutions alike. The challenge today is securing sustained investment to maintain progress tomorrow.
Looking ahead
What comes next is practical and shared: clear standards and guidance with tools operational actors can use in humanitarian settings, a framework that sets a clear horizon for mortality estimation, and a common home for access to information and learning.
To learn more about the Initiative, we invite you to watch the recording of our March 3 webinar, Why Mortality Matters in Humanitarian Crises. In this session, experts introduced the core principles of mortality estimation, explored key indicators and their interpretation, and discussed the challenges of collecting and using mortality data in complex crisis settings. We hope the webinar, and your continued engagement, will help build a stronger shared understanding of mortality estimation and support more effective, evidence‑informed humanitarian action.
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