Sudan Return Index Beta
Social Inquiry and IOM DTM Sudan adapted the Return Index for the Sudan context. This is a beta version because we sought to develop and test it as a proof of concept for this context first before moving to a new and final iteration.
The Sudan Return Index Beta serves as an operational tool that gathers location-level data from key informants across areas of return in the country to evaluate their material and social living conditions across 10 indicators that span the humanitarian-development-peacebuilding nexus. In this first iteration it contains data for 1,001 different locations (villages, towns, neighborhoods) of return. Through statistical analysis, locations are measured with a score that determines their conduciveness for sustainable returns based on their current living conditions, which would be updated after each subsequent iteration of data collection. This enables the identification of hotspots of severity and pockets of stability which in turn can help to prioritize locations and localities for intervention, provide insight into what types of interventions may be most useful, and monitor peacebuilding and displacement resolution progress over time — particularly as peace and security indicators are some of the most significant in this analysis in determining voluntary and sustainable returns.
This report contains further details on the Return Index methodology, findings, functionality, and potential next steps for collaboration with stakeholders for further refinement to create a final version for use in Sudan that could be implemented twice a year.
Download the full report here.