Needs Assessment Overview

Assessment and Classification of Emergencies (ACE) Project

IASC Weekly Meeting 28 January 2009

The ACE project : the assessment and classification of emergencies

GA and IASC mandate

General AssemblyOCHA mandate to maintain an “overview of all emergencies” and in “organizing … joint needs assessment missions.” (res. 46/182, art. 35b & c)

June 2007IASC WG requested OCHA to undertake a mapping of assessment initiatives and establish a framework for NA

November 2008IASC WG explicitly requested OCHA to work towards the harmonisation and consolidation objectives

March 2009report to IASC WG

plan & time frame for harmonising needs assessment prototype consolidation tool

The ACE project : the assessment and classification of emergencies

The Overall Goal of ACE is : strengthening the evidence-base for

humanitarian decision-making to improve humanitarian action and accountability

The ACE project : the assessment and classification of emergencies

How do we achieve this goal ?

Encouraging a multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral process for data collection, analysis and interpretation to assess the priorities of affected communities and to inform decisions on response

(this process is referred to as (this process is referred to as common needs assessment)

The ACE project : the assessment and classification of emergencies

The assessment and classification of emergencies incorporates two closely related components :

1. Harmonisation of needs assessment• Establish a framework for multi-sectoral needs assessments• Work with clusters on a common approach to needs

assessments

2. Consolidation of key humanitarian data• Classifying humanitarian situations in a response analysis tool

supported by agencies and other experts

Harmonisation of needs assessment : how Harmonisation of needs assessment : how do we go about it?do we go about it?

1. Learning from the 1. Learning from the mapping exercisemapping exercise and and first round of consultationfirst round of consultation

Numerous and diffuse needs assessment Numerous and diffuse needs assessment already in placealready in place

Need for a frameworkNeed for a framework

Information topics / Indicators

Pre-crisis information: Early WarningSurveillance systemsBaselines and periodic surveys Contingency Planning

INITIAL ASSESSMENT

Purposive samplingCheck listCumulative information

Immediate Initial Response

Appeal

Cluster/sector specificor Multi-sectoralAssessments

common information across sectoral tools estimated at 50%

Statistically representative samplingQuestionnaire

On-going Initial Response

Revised Appeal

In-depth cluster-specific assessments

Statistically representative samplingQuestionnaire

+ 0 - 3 days + 4 - 10 days + 11 - 30 days beyond 30 daysOnset

Sequence of humanitarian assessments following a sudden onset crisis

CFSVA

IRA

EFSNAJAM

MICS

FACT

CCCM

HEA

IPC

Rapid child protection

Rapid protection Assessment

PDNA

LAT

DALA

ILIA

Sector specific detailedProgramming

CAP

NICS

UNDAC

CATs

FSMS

INEE

IDP Profiling

Tool under developmentDeveloped

Information / Indicators

HeRAMS

To

ols

Gu

idan

ce o

n

meth

od

olo

gy

Harmonisation of needs assessment : how Harmonisation of needs assessment : how do we go about it?do we go about it?

1. Learning from the 1. Learning from the Bangkok WorkshopBangkok Workshop and second round of consultationand second round of consultation

Common needs assessment is possibleCommon needs assessment is possibleNo one-fits-all global assessment methodNo one-fits-all global assessment methodPractioners request best practices, guidance, templatesPractioners request best practices, guidance, templatesBroad base of participationBroad base of participationPreparedness is keyPreparedness is keyLeadership requiredLeadership requiredEndorsement of frameworkEndorsement of framework

Harmonisation of needs assessment : how Harmonisation of needs assessment : how do we go about it?do we go about it?

1. Learning from the 1. Learning from the Bangkok WorkshopBangkok Workshop and second round of consultationand second round of consultation

Central role of clusters in implementing Central role of clusters in implementing common needs assessment in both the common needs assessment in both the preparedness and implementation phasespreparedness and implementation phases

Role of UNDACRole of UNDAC

Consolidation of needs assessment : how Consolidation of needs assessment : how do we go about it?do we go about it?

1. Learning from the Nairobi Workshop and 1. Learning from the Nairobi Workshop and the first round of consultationthe first round of consultation

Consult decision-makersConsult decision-makers

Form a reference group to feedback on Form a reference group to feedback on prototypesprototypes

Harmonisation of needs assessment : Harmonisation of needs assessment : where are we now?where are we now?

Mapping report finalisedMapping report finalised

Incorporating Bangkok conclusions Incorporating Bangkok conclusions Proposed Plan of Action discussed with Proposed Plan of Action discussed with stakeholdersstakeholders

Reporting back to IASC WG in MarchReporting back to IASC WG in March

Harmonisation of needs assessment : Harmonisation of needs assessment : where are we now?where are we now?

finalising the plan of actionfinalising the plan of action

Country, Regional and Global approachCountry, Regional and Global approachCreating working groupsCreating working groupsDevelop communicationsDevelop communicationsResource mobilisationResource mobilisationCapacity buildingCapacity buildingInformation management inputsInformation management inputsCountry-level roll-outCountry-level roll-outRole of regional groupsRole of regional groups

Consolidation of needs assessment : Consolidation of needs assessment : where are we now?where are we now?

Decision-makers survey soon completedDecision-makers survey soon completed

Developing and piloting a prototype information consolidation tool in consultation with clusters

In full use by end of 2009In full use by end of 2009

Thank youThank you

Questions?Questions?