Indications of progress? Assessing the use of indicators in UNHCR operations

Indicators are considered to be a boon for policy-makers charged with balancing protection and operational needs on a global basis, in that they recast complex fact scenario issues into quantitative data that is susceptible to ranking and comparative analysis. However the increased emphasis on indicators as a tool for governance also raises concerns regarding the production, use and dissemination of data. This paper seeks to apply insights of recent scholarship in the indicators field to governance by indicators in UNHCR operations. The use of indicators by other actors in international refugee law falls outside the scope of this paper.