Coordinated Assessments & ACAPS(Assessment Capacities Project)

Why do we do 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.”

The Question

Are we good enough at doing assessments?

Global thinking on needs assessments….

One of the biggest outstanding challenges to the humanitarian community

General recognition that current approaches do not provide a coherent picture of humanitarian requirements

multi-sector, inter-agency, timely, quality

AssessmentsWhy so much interest?

Better assessments should = better aid

• humanitarian aid should be based on evidence

• we live in a time where resources are scarce, • we have had collective experience that

should mean we do this better• no commonly accepted methodology for

assessment exists• Assessments are one of the biggest

outstanding challenges

Assessment Framework

ACAPS focuses on Assessment Phase 1 & 2

Phases and data volume

Phase 1Preliminary scenario definitionSecondary informationll

Field Visits

Phase 2Multi cluster Rapid needs assessmentPurposive samplingCommunity questionnaire

Phase 3In depth sectoral needs assessmentRepresentative samplingCommunity and HH questionnaire

Phase 4

Monitoring Surveillance Impact assessment

Representative samplingCommunity and HH questionnaire

Increasing detail & representativeness (i.e.complexity)

Dat

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1-3 days 15 days 30 days > 1 month ...after onset

Global developments on needs assessments…

• IASC NATF• Operational

Guidance• MIRA

Coordinated Assessment

Assessments that are planned and carried out in partnership by humanitarian actors,

in order to document the impact of a particular crisis and identify the needs of the affected population,

with the results shared with the broader humanitarian community.

Joint/Common or Harmonized

Needs Assessment Types Cluster/Sector Methodology Report

Joint/Commono Single Assessmento Single methodologyo Single report

Harmonized/Coordinatedo Multiple assessments with common indicatorso Single Methodologyo Single report

Uncoordinatedo Multiple Assessmentso Multiple Methodologyo Multiple Report

AB C

D

A

C D

B

A B

C D

Assessment Phase Reporting Phase

Incr

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Benefits of coordinated approaches to assessments…

• Coverage increased• Duplication reduced• Early identification of gaps• Priorities (geographic and sectoral) identified• Shared vision encourages better coordination in response• Provides a more independent view of needs and a stronger

evidence base on which to build funding requests• Better use of resources• Less “assessment fatigue”• Utilizes agency/stakeholder strengths weaknesses,

capabilities

Coordinated Assessments

Lessons Learned

• Preparedness improves the quality and the timeliness

• Managing expectations is important• A coordinated approach should begin as

soon as possible

 

Coordinated AssessmentsLessons Learned

• Over-focus on primary data collection/under-use of secondary data/pre-crisis data

• Nature of the data used shifts over time• Should focus on “good enough” (not perfection)• Identifying how the crisis has changed lives• Tell the story of the assessment

Coordinated Assessment: Analysis

Key Points

• Emphasis on data collection often allows little time for analysis

• Preparing analysis plan upfront is key• Tell the story of the assessment.• The situation is a continuum; yesterday, today

and tomorrow.• Include identification of information gaps

Improving Assessments and Advocating for Coordinated

Approaches to Identifying Humanitarian Needs in Bangladesh

Scoping Study

Coordinated assessment of prolonged water-logging

• Why a coordinated assessment• Buy-in beyond ECB• Methodology• Lessons learned

Assessment objectives:

• To provide a shared overview of the situation in all affected areas of the south west

• To identify immediate humanitarian needs that were not addressed

• To understand recovery needs of affected people

Bangladesh Water-loggingAssessment Timeline

26th August – 6th September Decision to carry out JNA. Assessment Planning

7th September Training of teams in Khulna

8th – 12th September Field data collection

13th – 15th September Data entry

16th-22nd September Data analysis, interpretation and report preparation

22nd September Findings presented, report shared

15 days from field to

report

Changes in sanitation

•Decrease in household latrines •Increase in communal latrines (female)•Increase if open defecation

ShelterAcquiring adequate (short term)shelter was the top

immediate shelter priority reported in all living

arrangement except collective centers

Education•In 45/63 sites children are not going to school•62/63 sites reported children attending school BEFORE

Nutrition and Young Children

Reduction in breast feeding and lack of

usual foods reported across all living arrangements

In all sites women

reported a deterioration

in the health of their children

Initial feedback and lessons

• Different from previous assessments • Reconsider requirements for good quality

information• Well received by government• More preparation• Tools review