4.1 What a programme strategy is

A programme strategy is a coherent set of programme activities designed to achieve a specified goal or set of objectives. The programme strategy establishes the parameters of CARE’s entire operation in a given emergency context, and ensures that CARE’s emergency programmes are ‘strategic’ and based on the specific context being faced. The strategy should be based on an analysis of CARE’s ‘value added’ in terms of CARE’s contribution to addressing the humanitarian needs. It should also provide a clear analytical basis for deciding what to do and what not to do.