Orientation on Coordinated Assessments

The IASC Needs Assessment Task Force

IASC Needs Assessment Task Force

“To harmonise and promote cross-sector needs assessment initiatives for consistent, reliable and timely data on humanitarian needs in complex emergencies and natural disasters to strengthen informed decision-making and improve humanitarian response”

Key Outputs

Guidance Operational Guidance on

Coordinated Assessments

Tools Key Humanitarian

Indicators Multi Cluster/Sector Initial

and Rapid Assessment Humanitarian Dashboard

Capacity building Coordinated Assessment

Pool and Roster Training

Defining Coordinated Assessments

Coordinated assessments are “assessments which are planned and carried out in partnership by humanitarian actors (…) with the results shared with the broader humanitarian community”. There are two types of coordinated assessments:

Harmonized Assessment: This is when data collection processing and analysis is undertaken separately, however the data is sufficiently comparable to be compiled into a single database, and to serve as the subject of a shared analysis.

Joint Assessment: This is when data collection, processing and analysis form one single process among agencies within and between clusters/sectors. This leads to a single report. This is sometimes also referred to as a 'common assessment'. The MIRA is a joint assessment.

Coordinated Assessments in the Program Cycle

Operational Guidance on Coordinated Assessments in Emergencies Policy framework that

outlines the vision for coordinated assessments

Establishes a common understanding of how to lead and implement coordinated assessments and analysis in humanitarian crises. THE IASC WORKING GROUP ENDORSED THE OG AT

THE NOVEMBER 18 WORKING GROUP MEETING

Approaches to Coordination

During the first 72 hours after a crisis (phase 1), an initial assessment, including secondary data, is undertaken to produce a Preliminary Scenario Definition that outlines the severity of the crisis, projects future trends, and informs the initial Flash Appeal. In the first two weeks (phase 2) a multi-cluster rapid assessment is undertaken jointly by Clusters, in order to support operational planning, and inform the revision of the Flash Appeal. Together Together these form the MIRAthese form the MIRA..

In the second two weeks (phase 3), Clusters harmonise the in-depth sectoral assessments undertaken by their members, and participate in inter-sectoral analysis. The Humanitarian Dashboard provides a process and platform to present this information.

Assessment Framework

MIRA (Multi-cluster Initial and Rapid Assessment)

Prepared-ness

Saving and sustaining lives andre-establishing essential services

Saving livelihoods andre-establishing essential services

Timing PHASE 0 Before

PHASE 172 hours

PHASE 2Week 1-2

PHASE 3Week 3+

PHASE 4Second month +

RECOMMENDED TYPE OF COORDI-NATED ASSESS-MENT

Coordinated Assessment Preparedness

Initial Assessment for Preliminary Scenario Definition

Multi Cluster/Sector Rapid Assessment

Single Cluster/ Sector

coordinated In-depth

Assessments, harmonized

across Clusters/Sectors

Continued Single Cluster/ Sector Coordinated In-depth Assessments, with (early) Recovery considerations, harmonized across Clusters/Sectors

ASSESS-MENT TYPE & PURPOSE

Coordinated assessment preparedness planning and gathering pre-crisis data

Initial Assessment toEstimate scale & severity of the impact of the event Locate affected populationsInform initial response decisionsInform Phase-2 rapid assessments

Rapid assessment to Inform initial planning of humanitarian response, highlighting priority actionsDefine focus for follow-on in-depth assessments Establish the baseline for monitoring

In-Depth Assessment to:Analyze situation and trends Adjust ongoing responseInform detailed planning for humanitarian relief/early recovery, Establish baseline for operational and strategic / performance monitoring

In-Depth Assessment to:Situation/trend analysisInform phasing out of life sustaining activitiesInform detailed planning for relief + ERFeed into performance monitoring

METHODO-LOGY FOR DATA COLLECTION

Prepare on assessment formats, indicators and tools Organize Prepard. trainings, simulations Establish procedures & responsibilities. Prepare Common Operational Datasets (CODs), P-Codes, and Key Humanitarian IndicatorsGather Baseline data Fact sheets + LL

Mostly secondary data: pre-crisis information, surveys and reports prior to the event, fact sheets. Primary data: initial reports from the field, media flyovers, satellite imagery. Direct observation from quick visits to field (if feasible). Information from still functioning monitoring and reporting systemsUse Initial CODs

Secondary data; various sources Primary data as in Phase 1, complemented by site visits purposively selected, conducting community / key informant interviewsUnit of measurement for site visits is Community (e.g. village, camp or neighborhoods), or Institutions (e.g. schools, health facilities).Use simple agreed form with key questionsCODs + Key Indicators

Secondary data; various sourcesHarmonized sector/cluster toolsPrimary data + site visits with purposive/representative sampling methods ( detailed sectoral questionnaires).New data from (re)-established monitoring systemUnit of measurement Communities, household & individual. Use CODs + Key indicators

Sources and Methods as in Phase 3For recovery assessment use additional guidance for recovery assessment (Damage and Loss Assessment and sectoral PDNA guidance)In case of complex emergencies; conflict analysis

INFORM FUNDING PROPOSALS

Proposals for preparedness

Allocation of preliminary emergency fundingInitial Flash AppealFirst response proposals

Emergency response proposalsRevision of Flash Appeal (occurs within one month of Initial Flash Appeal)

Revised emergency response proposals. National Recovery and Reconstruction Plan

Nat’l Recovery & Reconstruction PlanConsolidated appeal. Inputs for the PDNAt

OUTPUTS Assessment Prepared. plan agreed by HCT Compiled pre-crisis data + Humanitarian Dashboard

Preliminary Scenario Definition (within 3 days)Humanitarian Dashboard

MIRA Report (within 14 days)Humanitarian Dashboard

Sector/Cluster ReportsHumanitarian Dashboard

Sector/Cluster ReportsPDNA & Recovery FrameworkHumanitarian Dashboard

MIRA (Multi-cluster Initial and Rapid Assessment)

Continued Inter-Cluster/Sector Assessment Coordination

Process for Developing the MIRA September 2010: Agreement to develop joint (common

assessment approach) for the earliest stages of an emergency. Establishment of a small technical working group ( WHO, ACAPS, UNHCR, OCHA, WFP)

December 2010: NATF Workshop on the MIRA: Agreement on key conceptual issues

January to August 2011: NATF meetings/workshops to further define the MIRA

Technical briefs providing in-depth resources developed by ACAPS

September 2011: NATF inter-agency mission to Philippines to seek feedback on MIRA approach

Development of an action plan to field test the MIRA

Proposed Components of MIRA Action PlanA. Focus on preparedness: Missions to support

country teams to undertake a MIRA and coordinated assessment approach in a disaster

B. Global level surge: To undertake a multi-cluster assessment (MIRA)

C. Coordinated assessments in CAP countriesD. Lessons-learned

Integration into other IASC groups (cluster sub-working group, CAP and preparedness)

Focus on preparedness: Critical

1) The MIRA roll-out may consist of inter-agency sensitization missions (ie, Philippines) followed by sustained technical support as required.

2) Agencies to identify capacity to participate in preparedness missions/capacity-building exercises.

3) ACAPS/CASPAR roster (and others?) to provide longer-term technical support to countries to take on board NATF Operational Guidance and adapt the MIRA to national circumstances.

4) Training and capacity-building at national level. OCHA to provide assessment coordination function, working in partnership for training, technical support, etc. (in non-refugee settings)

5) Lessons learned should be fed back to the NATF to revise tools, training materials, etc.

Global Surge Capacity

1) HQ level surge only in major emergencies 2) Should be configured in line with the rapid response

mechanism proposed by the IASC Principals Task Team. 3) Clusters and OCHA should ensure capacity is available

to deploy in mega-emergencies to assume clear functions.

4) These MIRA HQ teams should be pre-trained at HQ level and activated in line with rapid response mechanisms and agencies’/clusters’ own surge systems.

5) Need to test the MIRA in an emergency setting

Coordinated assessments in CAP countriesReviewing assessment data and gapsMaintaining a Humanitarian Dashboard to track ongoing needs and coverageUndertaking assessments to fill information gaps as part of the mid-year review of the CAP and new CAP process at end of yearIdentifying capacity-building and technical support requirements for country team to improve assessment outputs

Conclusions1) Need to focus on operationalising tools

and guidance- shift to the country level

2) Ongoing normative work required especially in relation to incorporating lessons learned and improving the Humanitarian Dashboard

3) Mainstreaming through other IASC mechanisms rather than a stand-alone approach