M +44(0) 7740493265    E  Mike Clarke  m.clarke@qub.ac.uk

A former Senior Manager of Médecins Sans Frontières, Jeroen Jansen has been appointed as the first Director of Evidence Aid, an international initiative responsible for improving access to research evidence in the form of systematic reviews to improve health outcomes for those affected by global disasters and humanitarian crises.

Evidence Aid was established in the Cochrane Collaboration in the wake of the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster on Boxing Day in 2004 with the aim to help people deal with disasters and humanitarian crises by choosing effective strategies.

During the past ten years, Evidence Aid has worked to show that evidence-based and locally relevant responses to disasters and humanitarian crises will save lives, reduce morbidity and enable people and communities to recover more quickly and efficiently.

Jeroen Jansen, former Head of the Programmes Unit at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in London and a current board member of MSF Spain will now lead the future growth and scale of Evidence Aid to be the knowledge champion for the humanitarian sector.

Jeroen’s appointment is an important step in the development of Evidence Aid, made possible through new funding from the C&A Foundation. This is a new dawn for Evidence Aid, accompanied by new funding, ambitious targets and an increased focus on those influencing the policy and practice of humanitarians.  

He says he’s delighted to be taking on the role, “The support from the C&A Foundation provides Evidence Aid with the opportunity to expand its operations and accelerate its push toward a more evidence-based approach to humanitarian aid worldwide. I am honoured to have been given the trust of the Board to take this challenge forward, in collaboration with Evidence Aid colleagues and our advisory group."

Jeroen has championed an evidence-based approach to humanitarian aid. His many field assignments for MSF in countries such as Afghanistan, Liberia, Nigeria and South Sudan gave him first-hand experience of the need for evidence in the field. In his recent role as Programme Manager Pakistan with Marie Stopes International, Jeroen gained valuable experience working with both private and government donors. Jeroen’s understanding of the sector and passion for research will allow him to lead Evidence Aid’s growing team to develop the future research agenda in humanitarian response.                                                                                                                           

Professor Mike Clarke, one of the founders of Evidence Aid, endorsed, “Jeroen has worked in both the private and charity sector and been a trustee, senior manager, entrepreneur and consultant. He has advised organisations on programme proposals, partnership, advocacy strategies and research methodologies. He is committed to building evidence where it is needed most and is conscious of the enormous opportunity to improve outcomes for poor and vulnerable people. I am delighted with Jeroen’s appointment. We are entering a new phase of growth and influence, guided by his experience and leadership.”

Mike Clarke will continue to direct Evidence Aid’s research programme and has taken on the role of Chair of the Board of Trustees, joined by Lady Deborah Dixon and Dr Philip Davies as the inaugural Trustees. 

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