unhcr/e-centre/interworks - emergency management training6.3.1. session 6.3. assessment basics &...

UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training 6.3.1.

Session 6.3.Session 6.3.

Assessment Basics & Bias:Assessment Basics & Bias:

A Community-based ApproachA Community-based Approach


Emergency Needs & Resources Emergency Needs & Resources AssessmentAssessment

“…“…a process of gathering and analysing information, a process of gathering and analysing information, which will then form a basis for operations planning….”which will then form a basis for operations planning….”

“…“…a process of understanding the situation, and a process of understanding the situation, and identifying the needs, resources, constraints and identifying the needs, resources, constraints and opportunities, and analysing them in order to better opportunities, and analysing them in order to better assist affected populations…”assist affected populations…”


Assessment: Assessment: The link to decision-making is key!The link to decision-making is key!

Info needs of Info needs of end-users end-users identifiedidentified

Data Data collection collection

methods selectedmethods selected

Data Data collectedcollected

Data cross-Data cross-checked & checked & analysedanalysed

Conclusions disseminated to decision-makers

Conclusions Conclusions drawndrawn

Decision-makers modify

response


• What is the nature of the emergency?What is the nature of the emergency?

• Who needs help? Who are most vulnerable?Who needs help? Who are most vulnerable?

• What are conditions of those needing help?What are conditions of those needing help?

• What resources are immediately available?What resources are immediately available?

• What is the gap between needs and resources?What is the gap between needs and resources?

• What are local Ministries, Agencies and other What are local Ministries, Agencies and other organizations doing?organizations doing?

Checklist: See Handbook Pages 46-47Checklist: See Handbook Pages 46-47

Initial RapidInitial Rapid Assessment Focus Assessment FocusWhat are the main problems?What are the main problems?

Is there an emergency or not?Is there an emergency or not?


Information Collection MethodsInformation Collection Methods

– ObservationObservation

– InterviewsInterviews

– SurveysSurveys

– Critical sector assessmentsCritical sector assessments

– Others?Others?


Data Collection ToolsData Collection Tools

questionnairesquestionnaireschecklistschecklistsdata processing programsdata processing programsweight for height chart (nutrition)weight for height chart (nutrition)gap identification tables (coordination)gap identification tables (coordination)technical tools, i.e. satellite imagerytechnical tools, i.e. satellite imagery


Balancing Speed & AccuracyBalancing Speed & Accuracy

1.1. SpeedSpeed

2. Accuracy2. Accuracy

Utility of Assessment Findings

= AccuracyTimef


Remember!Remember!The Initial Rapid Assessment:The Initial Rapid Assessment:

– just the first of manyjust the first of many– quickquick– simplifiedsimplified

A general rule:A general rule:

Get the whole picture half right.


Informal Informal MethodsMethods

Rapid Appraisal Rapid Appraisal MethodsMethods

Cost, TimeCost, TimeSkills, FlexibilitySkills, Flexibility

ValidityValidityReliabilityReliabilityCredibilityCredibility

Trade-offs Among MethodsTrade-offs Among Methods

Formal MethodsFormal Methods

(Probability Sampling)(Probability Sampling)


Probability sampling … what is it?Probability sampling … what is it?

……a process: a portion -- or a a process: a portion -- or a random sample random sample - of the - of the whole population is selected, examined, interviewed whole population is selected, examined, interviewed or measuredor measured

Purpose: to obtain more precise information about Purpose: to obtain more precise information about the population without having to interview everybodythe population without having to interview everybody

Random Random sample: every member has equal chance of sample: every member has equal chance of being included in sample. Obtaining “randomness” being included in sample. Obtaining “randomness” requires expertise, strict adherence to proceduresrequires expertise, strict adherence to procedures


What are we trying to avoid by using probability sampling?


Cultural biasCultural bias Gender biasGender bias Seasonal or “time of day” biasSeasonal or “time of day” bias Others?Others?

The Effects of Bias in International The Effects of Bias in International Emergency AssessmentsEmergency Assessments


CHOOSE ANY ONE OF THE CARDS BELOW. REMEMBER YOUR CARD

YOUR FACILITATOR WILL NOW MAKE YOUR CARD VANISH!

And now for something completely different!


CONCENTRATE ON YOUR CARD WHILE YOUR FACILITATOR READS YOUR MIND AND

REMOVES THE CARD FROM THE GROUP

VOILA! - ITS GONE. BUT HOW DOES IT WORK?

ASSESSMENT BIAS!


““Mandate” Bias &Mandate” Bias &The value of inter-agency assessmentThe value of inter-agency assessment

NeedsNeeds

MandateMandate

ResourcesResources(or “met” needs(or “met” needs


Reduce bias through:Reduce bias through:

• TriangulationTriangulation: varying techniques, : varying techniques, indicators of same event, info sources, indicators of same event, info sources, team compositionteam composition

• CoordinationCoordination

• Joint assessmentJoint assessment


Assessment Fundamentals:Assessment Fundamentals:

2. Those in need are people with strengths and capacities on which to build emergency programming responses.

1. All refugees/ 1. All refugees/ displaced or disaster-displaced or disaster-affected areaffected are not not the the same and any single same and any single ethnic or religious ethnic or religious group is group is notnot homogeneous.homogeneous.


AGE

GENDER

For Effective Planning: For Effective Planning: Identify Demographic Identify Demographic

CompositionComposition

FAMILY STATUS


Disaggregating DataDisaggregating Data

Disaggregate data to:Disaggregate data to:– identify disparities concealed by averagesidentify disparities concealed by averages – ensure equity of access to goods and ensure equity of access to goods and

servicesservices Remember: Remember: Disaggregated data cannot be Disaggregated data cannot be

assumed assumed from pre-crisis datafrom pre-crisis data– refugee emergencies distortrefugee emergencies distort

demographicsdemographics– traditional gender and age-specific roles traditional gender and age-specific roles

may changemay change


Assessing Capacity:Assessing Capacity:Capacities / Vulnerabilities AnalysisCapacities / Vulnerabilities Analysis

ResourcesResources

Social/Social/OrganizationalOrganizational

Motivational/Motivational/Attitudinal Attitudinal

VulnerabilitiesVulnerabilitiesCapacitiesCapacities


C/VA - C/VA - Disaggregated by GenderDisaggregated by Gender

ResourcesResources

Social/Social/OrganizationalOrganizational

Motivational/Motivational/Attitudinal Attitudinal

CapacitiesCapacities VulnerabilitiesVulnerabilities

WomenWomen MenMen WomenWomen MenMen


Macedonians returning home from Kosovo

UNHCR photo

Analyse the next several scenes: What can you assess from what you see?What can you assess from what you don’t see?


UNHCR photo

unhcr/e-centre/interworks - emergency management training6.3.1. session 6.3. assessment basics &...

Documents

assessment basics bias

everybodyrandom sample

analysing information

time skills

effects of bias

precise information

cardyour facilitator

time of day biasothers