Preliminary insights in coordination and data challenges in humanitarian work in Brazil

We are happy to share the results of Relif’s exploratory study “Compreendendo Desafios na Resposta a Emergências e no Trabalho Humanitário,” conducted between September and November 2024. The study offers interesting insights into persistent coordination and information management challenges in humanitarian work in Brazil.

The survey gathered the perspectives of 26 humanitarian professionals working primarily on migration crises in Brazil. The aim was to understand the obstacles practitioners face in daily operations, the systems currently used to manage data and coordinate assistance, and where technology could play a constructive role.

Findings reveal a pattern across respondents' organizations:

• Data quality and standardization issues were reported by 85% of respondents.

• Service duplication remains widespread, experienced frequently or occasionally by 97% of participants.

• Coordination itself consumes significant operational resources—identified as the most resource-intensive activity by 35% of respondents.

Most organizations continue to rely on spreadsheets as their main management tool, and many operate with limited or intermittent internet connectivity. The absence of shared systems and common data standards creates fragmentation, delays, and inefficiencies that affect how assistance reaches affected populations.

These insights have directly informed the development priorities for Relif. The platform’s design team has a deep focus on practical simplicity, reflecting the field conditions under which coordination must function. Offline capabilities and interoperability are still being researched and developed, as one of the points of focus for us.

While the study’s small, non-representative sample limits generalizability, and excludes a core aspect of humanitarian response in Brazil (public sector) its findings align with long-standing coordination concerns in humanitarian response. The results point toward the need for scalable, evidence-based tools capable of supporting real-time decision-making and reducing duplication through shared visibility and standardized data practices.

The full report is available below. We extend our appreciation to all professionals who contributed their time and perspectives to this work.


Matheus Souza