A review of the triple nexus approach in discourse and practice: with a focus on Islamic Relief’s triple nexus programme

Three years after the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS), in February 2019, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development/Development Assistance Committee (OECD/DAC) issued recommendations in response to “the call for strengthened policy and commitments across key global frameworks including Agenda 2030, the Sustaining Peace resolutions and Agenda for Humanity, among others”. These recommendations specifically address the need to strengthen coherence between humanitarian, development and peace (HDP) operations, with the “aim of effectively reducing people’s needs, risks and vulnerabilities, supporting prevention efforts and thus, shifting from delivering humanitarian assistance to ending need”. The concept of the triple, or HDP, nexus reinvigorates the push for stronger collaboration and coordination among actors.

This review of the triple nexus takes stock of current policy, practice and academic discourse; reviews lessons learnt from organisations implementing programmes that use triple nexus approaches; and assesses Islamic Relief’s (IR) triple nexus programming. The review consisted of a literature review, IR programme document review and interviews with 55 individuals.