Transcript Needs Assessments - Logistics Cluster

Common Needs Assessments
Context:
Sudden onset humanitarian emergencies:
Can and should logistics play a stronger role in
rapid assessments?
Rationale – A Prog/Logs Disconnect
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Assessments typically done through a programme lens.
Logistics service effectiveness to a response is dependent
on level of logistics understanding of ‘programme need’.
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Donors typically make their first funding decisions within
10 days of a sudden onset emergency and their major
allocations within 6 weeks. (eg. Funds for sludge trucks).
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Rapid, multi-sector needs assessments have not always
been good enough and fast enough to make the right
decisions – a potential negative impact on logistics
service effectiveness
Considerations
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Logistics conducts capacity assessments to complement
programme needs assessments
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NB. Haiti LCA was rendered invalid by the disaster
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Logistics / NFI distribution needs – What is required
within logistics operations to deliver effective support?
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Agency gap analysis – how we can leverage GLCSC
initiatives to fill these gaps? There is a need to enhance
collaboration.
Harmonizing Needs Assessments
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IASC Needs Assessment Working Group (NAG) cochaired by IFRC & OCHA
More progress required to achieve agreed, credible and
timely multi-sector needs assessments post disaster.
Lessons identify two underlying factors:
1.
Greater coherence and partnership in the planning and
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implementation of needs assessment, at the global and field levels
2.
Complementary investments required in needs assessment
preparedness covering technical aspects, leadership, coordination,
capacity-building, advocacy and data management.
NAG, through Needs Assessment Task Force
(NATF) developing guidance for:
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1.
Phase 0 – preparedness for assessments,
Phase 1 – defining numbers of people requiring
assistance in the first days post disaster onset
Phase 2 – conducting initial rapid assessments (IRA) in
the first two weeks post onset. Two models:
“joint” / multi-sectoral assessments with a single team, Multi-cluster
Rapid Assessment Mechanism (McRAM)
2.
consolidation of a core set of information from separate but
harmonized sectoral assessments.
NAG Objectives (Supplement sectoral expertise)
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Strengthen coordination and leadership:
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Improve technical support:
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funding and communication strategies;
Capacity building for preparedness & planning:
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Guidance / toolbox on cross-sector needs assessment practice
for Phases 0, 1 and 2. Pilot in five countries by March 2011;
Increased advocacy, awareness & resource mobilization:
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Guidance on assessment coordination for Needs Assessment
Framework (NAF);
Train / develop a roster of accredited needs assessment experts;
Enhanced information and data management support:
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Identify good/bad data management practices
Needs Assessment Tools
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McRAM - Multi-Cluster Rapid Assessment
Mechanism
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IRA - Initial Rapid Assessment
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PDNA - Post-Disaster Needs Assessment
Developed by global Health, Nutrition and WASH
Clusters and the NGO Emergency Capacity Building
Project (ECB)
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PCNA - Post Conflict Needs Assessment
Humanitarian Dashboard
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One page graphic illustration of the
humanitarian situation and response in a
given country or context
“Dials” on the dashboard reflect a particular
number (from “best” (1) to “worst” (5)) on
areas like “adequacy of response” or “need
for international response”.
Dashboard example
Dashboard Concerns
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The Intended Audience?
The Risk of “Misuse”
The Role of National Capacity
Response is about Quality, Not Just Quantity
The Humanitarian Community is Diverse, Not All the
Same
The Potential Security Implications of the Dashboard on
NGO Operations
Who is Pushing This Process?
Questions
Would it make sense for the logs cluster to:
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Initiate joint logistics / programme assessments in sudden onset
emergencies?
Jointly develop / update existing assessment tools or reports
Most desirable approach?
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Ensure Logs Cluster participation in joint IRAs / McRAM
Develop joint logistics assessment capabilities – eg. as part of
LRT training
Request cluster participants to provide agency input on their
programme assessment methodologies – align these to propose
links with rapid logistics assessments.
Brainstormin
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