8.1 Organising an After Action Review

CARE’s policy requires COs to hold an AAR after each large-scale (Type 2) emergency within 3-4 months of the start of the emergency event. Country Offices responding to smaller (Type 1) emergencies are also encouraged to conduct a brief ‘lessons learned’ exercise following the response.

The purpose of an AAR is to capture and learn from lessons, so that improvements can be made in CARE’s operational procedures, structures and policy. These will include recommendations to senior management in the CO, CARE and Lead Member. The AAR will usually take a workshop format that involves key staff in the emergency response from the CO, the Lead Member and other parts of CARE.

An AAR typically costs approximately USD5,000 plus participant costs.

The following annexes can assist with organising an After Action Review:

Annex 9.10      Practical guidance for organising an AAR

Annex 9.11      Terms of Reference for AAR facilitator

Annex 9.12      Sample AAR agenda

Annex 9.13      Sample AAR report