Introduction to assessment
KIRA Training
Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will:
Understand definitions and terminology related with needs assessments in
emergency.
Understand challenges of rapid needs assessments.
Discuss bad and best practices in assessments in emergency.
Know the difference between uncoordinated and coordinated needs
assessments.
Recognise the benefits of coordinated assessments.
What is a needs assessment in emergency?
A needs assessment is a planned process of collection and analysis of
information about the main needs of populations affected by a disaster
(natural or human made) in order to inform decisions for an humanitarian
response.
In Crisis data
Pre - Crisis
Secondary data
Lessons Learned
An structured approach
DATA CONSOLIDATION
ANALYSIS
DISSEMINATION
Primary data
When to conduct a needs assessment?
1
Disaster
Disaster
72 H.
‘Look-see’
2
2-4
weeks
Initial Rapid Assessment
3
Onwards
Detailed Sectoral
Assessments
Why to conduct needs assessment in
emergency?
Need for ACCURATE and FAST information with an
indication of RELIABILITY to inform decisions on an
humanitarian response.
Who needs this information (decision makers)?
National and local authorities (i.e. NDMA, etc.)
KRCS
UN Agencies (i.e. OCHA, UNHCR, etc.)
Humanitarian agencies
Media
Diaspora
Affected communities
Private sector
Others?
Challenges of needs assessment in emergency
Pressure on
humanitarian
actors to
respond
Lack of
timely,
credible
Information
Pressure
on Donors
to allocate
funds
Poorly Informed Decision
Making
Our Hope!!!
BETTER ASSESSMENTS = BETTER AID
Global thinking
Need for more coordinated
assessments in emergencies.
Need for timely and multi-sector
approaches.
Shared situational overview.
Involvement of the affected
populations in the identification
of their needs and suitable
responses:
ACCOUNTABILITY.
Secondary and primary data joint
analysis.
Types of assessments
Uncoordinated
Increasing Coordination
Multiple assessments
Multiple methodology – datasets not
‘interoperable’
Multiple reports
Harmonised
Multiple assessments + common key
indicators
Single methodology – data comparable
Single or multiple reports from
joint/shared analysis
Joint (common)
Single assessment form / data collection
process
Single methodology and analysis process
Single report
Group exercise
On the wall, you have 3 flip charts with Pros and Cons for :
Uncoordinated – Harmonized - Joint Assessment
Each group at one flip chart and fill what he sees as pros and cons.
After 3 minutes, the bell will ring and you will shift clock wise to the next flip
chart.
Methodological specifications for Initial Rapid
Assessment
2
1
Disaster
Disaster
72 H.
2-4
weeks
Situational assessment
Qualitative
3
Onwards
Situational or causal
assessment
Quantitative
Rice
m₂
Rice
Rice
Group exercise
In groups, complete the puzzle! You have 10 minutes!
Discuss what do we learn from that for the assessment process?
Lessons Learned
You can describe the picture even if some pieces are missing!
It is important to know how pieces can fit together in order to be able to complete
the exercise under time pressure!
Some pieces that don’t fit need to be discarded!
Some examples of guidances
IASC Operational Guidance on Coordinated Assessment
Multi Cluster/Sector Initial Rapid Assessment
Sphere – Assessment Standards – Checklists
In progress- Good Enough Guide to Assessment
In progress IFRC Operational Guidance: Initial Rapid Multi-Sectoral
Assessment
Regional Initiatives, JNA-Bangladesh, KIRA- Kenya Initial Rapid
Assessment
Thank you for your attention!