Assessments ASSESSMENTS

Assessments The Rationale and Purpose for Assessments

Assessments The problem

Assessments

Why do we do Assessments? “While a good assessment does not guarantee a good response, poor assessment information almost certainly guarantees a bad one.”

Assessments Sendai Framework Commitment 7: Increase availability/use of multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments Priority Area 1: Understanding Disaster Risk Policy/practice based on understanding of disaster risk and dimensions of vulnerability, capacity, exposure, risk Leverage traditional knowledge Enhance development/dissemination of tools Strengthen and promote use of risk modelling/assessment Enhance partnerships (eg. ISDR)

Assessments All actors to work together towards collective outcomes that reduce need, vulnerability and risk Committed to improve practices and data collection, analysis and early warning UN Secretary General committed to all UN plan and programmes are risk informed World Humanitarian Summit

Assessments Global thinking on needs assessments…. Recognition that approaches were not providing a coherent picture of humanitarian needs One of the biggest outstanding challenges to responding to disasters Multi-sector, inter-agency, timely Contribute to a shared situational awareness

Assessments The key things we have learned include: 1.Multi-sector assessments are still a work in progress. 2.Approaches must be adapted to country context. 3.Right information to the right people at the right time. 4.Both quantitative and qualitative information is critical.

Assessments The key things we have learned include: 1.An assessment is more than a questionnaire. 2.A shared understanding of the situation can be achieved but not a detailed understanding. 3.Realistic expectations among all stakeholders are critical.

Assessments Realistic Joint Need Assessment (JNA) Objectives Shared understanding Agreement on strategic priorities and promote a more coordinated response If response is needed Scale of the response Geographic areas to be prioritized Sectors to be prioritized In the initial days and weeks after a disaster the decisions that need to be made are strategic

Assessments A coordinated assessment consists of collecting, up- dating, collating and analyzing the data of an affected population, its infrastructure and socio- economic conditions.

Assessments Coordinated assessments help to ensure: 1.effective analysis 2.better decision making 3.strategic planning

Assessments By coordinating assessments organizations can: 1.Promote a shared vision of needs and priorities 2.Increase coverage 3.Use resources more efficiently 4.Better guide donor funding 5.Provide a foundation for planning 6.minimize beneficiary ‘assessment fatigue’

Assessments By coordinating assessments organizations can: 7.identify gaps 8.support shared monitoring 9.ensure consistency between clusters 10.support country level assessment preparedness 11.encourage coordination during a response 12.Reduce duplication of effort

Assessments Types of Assessments

Assessments Coordinated assessments are planned and carried out in partnership by humanitarian actors.

Assessments The main actors in coordinating assessments are: 1.Government 2.humanitarian coordinators (HCs) 3.humanitarian country teams (HCTs) 4.cluster coordinators 5.OCHA 6.cluster/sector members

Assessments Harmonized assessments occur when agencies collect, process and analyze data separately.

Assessments Harmonized assessments: 1.ensure synchronization 2.use a consistent set of datasets (CODs) 3.use a consistent set of indicators 4.establish a process for collecting data 5.establish a process for data analysis

Assessments Joint assessments occur when data collection, processing and analysis form one single process amongst agencies.

Assessments Joint assessments: 1.agree on collaborative arrangements 2.jointly design and plan the assessment 3.jointly collect, analyze and interpret 4.ensure the clearing of results and communication strategy

Assessments Working Definitions of Needs Assessment Types

Assessments Role and Responsibilities in Coordinated Assessments

Assessments Humanitarian actors support national authorities by coordinating needs assessments.

Assessments The Humanitarian Coordinator is responsible for coordinating emergency assessments across clusters.

Assessments Cluster lead agencies are responsible for coordinating sectoral assessment and analysis.

Assessments Individual organizations are responsible for supporting joint assessments or harmonizing single assessments.

Assessments Principles for Coordinated Assessments

Assessments Assessments follow 10 principles: 1.immediate humanitarian priorities 2.assessments should be led by national governments 3.it is essential to plan for coordinated assessments 4.each assessment builds on existing data 5.the links between assessment and monitoring are essential

Assessments Assessments follow 10 principles: 6.assessments collect exactly the data that are required 7.assessments should be participatory and transparent 8.assessments should address cross-cutting issues 9.information management considerations are integrated 10.analysis and interpretation is completed in context

Assessments Let’s Recap

Assessments Key Messages 1.Coordinated assessments make a humanitarian response more efficient and effective. 2.Assessments can be coordinated by joint or harmonized methods. 3.All actors in an emergency response have important roles and responsibilities in conducting assessments. 4.Assessments are underpinned by guiding principles.

Assessments TUESDAY, 5 JULY 2016 DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER PREVENTION AND MITIGATION, BANGKOK PROJECT KICK-OFF MEETING (PROJECT ON DEVELOPMENT OF LOSS DATABASE AND DAMAGE & NEEDS ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK IN THAILAND)