The main objective was to gather evidence and learn lessons that will enable to explore, test and determine the possibilities for using the innovation to solve the most urgent humanitarian problems in severe crisis situations.
In addition to the particularly complex and difficult context of implementation, the specific features of this evaluation lie in 1) its temporality: the evaluation is carried out in real time while the activities are taking place; 2) its nature: it is an innovation evaluation, which requires a systemic approach based in particular on modelling the innovation ecosystem.
Key conclusions of the valuation :
- High adoption rates in both contexts (99.8% in Gaza / 87% in Lebanon), confirming the value of reusable products in crises
- Significant cost-saving potential in the medium term (over 3 years): up to $280 per woman (hybrid model) and a 67–92% reduction in the space required in trucks
- Significant structural barriers in crisis contexts: a minimum of 500 ml of water is required for washing -> a threshold that is met or exceeded in certain areas of Gaza. This requires contextual judgment and user education
- Confirmation of the hybrid approach’s effectiveness: Reemi complements disposable products; it does not replace them. Women manage their cycles according to environmental constraints
- Real psychosocial impacts for women and girls: reduced distress, shame, and the feeling of being a burden -> restored dignity even in contexts of extreme crisis
- Scaling up depends on pre-positioning of supplies and institutional integration
The lessons learned from this work will be made available to the main actors involved in the response, namely Reemi, Oxfam GB and its partners, but will also benefit the wider community of emergency and WASH actors, as well as the community of monitoring and evaluation practitioners interested in innovation evaluation.