Needs Assessment Task Force The story of MIR(N?)A IASC Needs Assessment Task Force Geneva, 18 March 2011

Needs Assessment Task Force The 'old' MIRA as in OpGuidance Phase I: Multi sectoral Initial Assessment to Estimate scale & severity of the impact of the event #s and location affected populations Inform initial response decisions Initial Flash Appeal Preliminary Scenario Definition (after 3 days) Phase II: Multi sectoral Rapid assessment to Highlighting priority actions Inform initial planning of humanitarian response, Emergency response proposals Revision of Flash Appeal MIRA Report (after 14 days)

Needs Assessment Task Force The 'new' MIRA Mostly similarities between phase 1 and 2 reports coming from phase 1 and 2 address similar questions to answer these questions the same sources are used in both phases, the headings of the initial PSD and MIRA report, and the subsequent humanitarian dashboard are consistent Main difference between phase 1 and 2: the deadline to produce initial flash appeal after 3 days, and its review after 2 weeks. The answers to the key questions will gradually become more precise, and there will gradually be more emphasis to use primary data collection to get better understanding of needs as expressed by affected population.

Needs Assessment Task Force The MIRA Framework The MIRA methodology understands needs assessments in phases 1 and 2 as the process of collecting, collating and analysing data from primary and secondary sources and of interpreting such information through a judgment process which relies as much on the collective capacity of the assessors as it does on evidence. MIRA = SDR + PCLA

Needs Assessment Task Force A new approach from the past Acknowledge limitation of data collection in phase 1 and 2: time, resources, logistics and many other factors related to the immediate post-emergency context limit overall scope  Mix of on-site led, and off-site support  Limited primary data collection phase 1 Randomised HH survey not feasible in Phase 1 and 2, and as single information source will not provide all answers to all 'needs' questions, in all sectors, in any phase  Purposive sample of communities, simple questions to KI  More emphasis on needs as expressed/perceived by affected communities No recognition in the past of importance of secondary data  SDR, using pre- and post disaster sources,  that does allow estimates and forecasts with numbers

Needs Assessment Task Force The 'latest' MIR(N)A No longer two distinct assessment methods between 'initial' and 'rapid'  Drop the 'and': 'initial rapid'. Confusion on the term assessment: Understood by many to be equal to primary data collection by survey in the field  Propose to use the term needs analysis: MIRNA Confusion between PSD and SDR:  Change PSD to MIRNA 1

Needs Assessment Task Force The MIRA reporting Timescale72 hours1 st week2n d week3rd week4 th week5th week Assessments PHASE 1PHASE 2PHASE 3PHASE 4 ReportsMIRNA 1.0Ad-hoc updates ---> MIRNA 2.0 reportHumanitarian dashboard ---> Cluster/Sectoral pages to support MIRNA report and dashboard ---> recovery assessments

Needs Assessment Task Force The MIRA process: 5 steps 1. Start with 9 key questions, 23 sub questions 2. Define which sources to be used to find answers. each question can be answered using multiple 1ry and 2ry sources 3. Lead the SDR and PCLA 4. Analyse the findings: for each question compare different answers from different sources weigh their validity, interpret them and add judgment formulate an answer (for example as a range when it concerns numbers) 5. Use the answers to populate the report…

Needs Assessment Task Force 9 general questions = headings report 1.Scale and severity of the crisis? 2.Needs? 3.Risks? 4.Projected trend? 5.National response capacity? 6.In-country international response capacity? 7.Humanitarian access? 8.Coverage, gaps? 9.Strategic humanitarian priorities?  23 specific questions

Needs Assessment Task Force 5 steps from questions to answers

Needs Assessment Task Force Next steps MIRNA guidance Feedback on current draft MIRNA guideline Work on 'loose ends': see draft workplan Review sector inputs by clusters: annex 3 Review (connection with) dashboard Link with CAP/NAF? Cluster in-depth assessment phase 3: -Monitoring systems, various sources! -Validated questions for HH survey