The collection of data and information on the impact of disasters has long been considered a key element in being able to ensure that the most appropriate assistance of the right quality is provided at the right time but evidence suggests that practice falls short of aspirations. In seeking to make recommendations for ways to strengthen the practice of coordinated assessments (and in particular the role that the Emergency Capacity Building Project can play), this study will map experience from recent humanitarian responses, distil good practice and analyse lessons learnt. FOR FULL REPORT SEE http://www.ecbproject.org/resources/library/292-strength-in-numbers---a-global-mapping-review-of-ngo-engagement-in-coordinated-assessments

1. Global Mapping Review of NGO Engagement in
Coordinated Assessments
NATF, 28 July 2011

2. Introduction to the Research
Problem
 Timely assessment is fundamental to providing effective,
needs-based assistance but the prevailing practice of
uncoordinated agency assessments is inefficient and
results from recent CNA have often been disappointing
Purpose
 To map experience from recent humanitarian responses,
distil good practice and analyse lessons learnt with a view
to making recommendations for how the ECB and broader
humanitarian community can focus their efforts in the
future

3. Research Methodology
 Consultations with UN, NGOs, Red Cross and inter-
agency initiatives
 Literature Review
 On-line survey
 A focus on early phase (1 and 2) CNA and those which
incorporate NGO participation.
Limitations
 A bias towards those with experience of CNA
 Limited time (12-days)

4. A Review of Current CNA Progress
Global Initiatives Inter-agency Methodologies
 The IASC Needs Assessment Task Force  Emergency Capacity Building Project – Joint Needs
(NATF) Assessment (JNA)
 Emergency Market Mapping Analysis (EMMA)
 Assessment Capacities Project (ACAPS)
 Household Economy Analysis and the Integrated
 OCHA Assessment and Classification of Phase Classification (IPC)
Emergencies Project (ACE)  The Multi-Cluster Rapid Initial Assessment
 United Nations Disaster Assessment &  Multi-Cluster Initial/Rapid Assessment (MIRA)
Coordination (UNDAC)  The Humanitarian Dashboard
 ACAPS Secondary Data Review (SDR)
Country/Regional Initiatives
 Methodology for Rapid Humanitarian Assessment
 Sphere India Unified Response Strategy (REDLAC)
(URS)  European Commission Humanitarian Office
 Vietnam Joint Disaster Rapid Needs (ECHO) Initial Needs Assessment Checklist (INAC)
Assessment (JDRNA)  Cluster Assessment Methodologies:
 Bangladesh Rapid Initial Report (RIR)  Local Estimate of Needs for Shelter &
Settlement Toolkit (LENSS)
and Rapid Emergency Needs Assessment
 Health Resources Availability Mapping
(RENA) System (HeRAMS)
 Unicef Multi-Sector Indicator Block  Global Health Cluster Rapid Health
Mapping (MSiB) in Haiti Assessment Guidelines (RHA)
 Environmental Needs Assessment in Post-
Disaster Situations
 The Short Guide to Rapid Joint Education
Needs Assessment Toolkit

5. Challenges to NGO Engagement
Observations from a review of agency Observations from a review of
practice in 48 CNAs in 2003-2011 assessment practice in the
Philippines in 2010
 CNA practice benefits from strong  The important role played by the Red
government engagement; Cross Movement albeit with a focus
 CNAs are more often used in rapid onset on internal CNA;
natural disasters than for conflict-related  Reasons for the lack of CNA in the
crises; first 2-weeks after the typhoons:
 In conflict-related crises one of the  Lack of awareness;
motivations for CNAs is for security  Competition for Resources;
purposes;  De-prioritisation;
 While food security assessments often  The lack of an Enabling
benefit from strong coordination they are Environment.
difficult to classify;  The limited participation of
 Disasters are increasingly assessed jointly government;
with common methodologies used by  The lack of National NGO
agencies; participation.
 Many of the most timely CNAs were
undertaken for mid-size emergencies;
 Recent large-scale CNA tend to deliver
results several weeks after the crisis;

6. Highlights from the Research
 Many NGOs have only limited knowledge of CNA
 NGOs often struggle to prioritise strategic assessment
over operational assessment
 Some NGOs don’t have sufficient trust in the value of
CNA - some never will
 National NGOs are often omitted from CNA
completely or until late in the process

7. The ‘Methodology Gap’

8. Headline Recommendations
 Strengthen communication in order to build a ‘culture
of CNA’
 Value partnership at global and country-level
 Develop a ‘good enough’ approach that is fit for purpose
 Allow approaches and tools to be contextualised
 Emphasize the importance of preparedness
 Try to anticipate and address potential blockers
(strategic vs. operational needs and disasters vs.
complex emergencies
 Demand leadership – globally and at country level

9. A Cycle of Good Practice for CNA
Prepare – a
culture of
CNA
Review A common
Performance approach &
& strengthen standardised
Practice tools
Act on the
Strengthen
results in
data analysis
real time