Response Net: Emergency Needs Assessment and Project Planning

It is imperative for the disaster response plan, to be grounded in a sound assessment and analysis of the affected population; even if it is a rapid one. Essentially, it should identify the most immediate problems, needs and allocate the resources available to meet those needs.

Emergency situations demand immediate and appropriate action, to minimize further loss of life and secondary hazards. This, demands an extraordinary response and exceptional measures. Humanitarian agencies world-wide work for reducing this loss of life and human suffering in response to natural or human made disasters.

In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, there will always be tension between starting implementation quickly with inadequate information and taking valuable time to formulate a more effective response. A common message from experienced emergency managers is that, it is very important to take time to assess carefully what needs to be done and to resist the temptation of rushing headlong into poorly thought-out actions. Emergency assistance must be based on a sound assessment of the most immediate needs and resources available to meet those needs. This initial assessment is invariably followed by detailed assessments as the emergency response evolves and needs emerge: assessment is continuous and never stops.

With rising demand for accountability in the humanitarian sector, particularly with the advent of standards like those of the Sphere Project, and humanitarian action being based on the protection of the rights of affected population, the process of needs assessment assumes paramount importance. Hence the prerequisite is that, time and energy needs to be spent judiciously in collecting quality and appropriate information, which leads to an objective Needs Assessment and effective Project Planning.

This workshop enhances an individual’s capacity to conduct an emergency needs assessment and design an effective project plan to initiate a successful emergency response. The workshop dwells at length on the process of collecting and analysing information, the specific assessment techniques and good practices in the field of needs assessment along with the orientation to project planning.

2.0 Introduction to RedR

RedR India is a humanitarian non-profit organisation, which maintains a Register of, experienced humanitarian professionals who are available to assist relief agencies in the aftermath of a disaster. RedR started in London in 1979 as a humanitarian organisation recruiting a register of emergency personnel who could be deployed to other humanitarian organisations, in times of crises and emergency situations. Generally, these skilled personnel provide skilful solutions for services related to water supply, sanitation, hygiene promotion and community action, shelter, food aid, nutrition, camp planning, logistics, administration, roads and communications etc. Increasingly there are requests for mechanical and electrical engineers, hydro-geologists, logisticians, program and finance managers, and experts in allied disciplines, assisting relief agencies in the aftermath of a disaster.

RedR India is a member of the RedR International network. In addition to its primary task as a recruiter of humanitarian workers for work with non-government organisations (NGOs) and the United Nations (UN), the RedRs have a global reputation for the development and presentation of high quality training for humanitarian aid sector. Training emphasises our recruitment methodology of identifying competencies and building on life experience. RedR has a commitment to the training concept of "honouring the learner". This entails recognition that different people learn and teach with different training methods. While there is no substitute for experience in the field, RedR training provides a solid base on which to link relevant experiences in home countries to the challenging demands of fieldwork when deployed.

In the training and workshops emphasis is on active learning through participatory group exercises, case studies, role-play, focused discussion, videos, individual reflections, simulations and practice with equipment used in the field. Trainings or workshops are often planned and presented in collaboration with relief agencies and specialist organisations. Informal exchange of experience is a vital part of every workshop.

3.0 Proposed Workshop

3.1 Themes focused on during the workshop:

Organisation and management: objectives of the assessment, TORs, planning assessment activities, information collation, report writing

Analytical frameworks: that determine the focus of the assessments and the way assessment information translates into programme response and helps establish indicators for measuring progress, impact and relevance.

Data collection techniques: how they work, when to use them and the meaningfulness of the data they produce

Sector-specific issues: data collection methodologies and analytical frameworks that is most appropriate to each sector, links between sectors, and benchmarks.

Integration of the information: collected from needs assessment into problem analysis and thereafter planning a sound emergency response.

3.2 Course Objectives

By the end of the course participants will be expected to be able to:

· Identify an effective approach to conduct the emergency assessments

· Use assessment frameworks, tools and techniques during emergencies

· Explain underlying principles of emergency assessments.

· Explain the use of Sphere Project standards for needs assessment.

· Implement the skills of problem analysis and project planning using a log frame.

4.0 Participant’s Profile

This course is ideal for emergency personnel who have a minimum of 2 years relief experience and are likely to carry out needs assessments in their work. Participants already with need assessment experience are particularly encouraged to apply. A typical profile of a group would include professionals from GO, UN agencies, Red Cross, INGOs, Local NGOs staff involved with emergency preparedness and response. A maximum of 30 participants will be accommodated in each workshop.

5.0 Duration, Venue and General Information

It is a 5-day residential workshop from 23 - 27 February, 2010 organised at Pune, India. The participants are requested to report at the venue on 22^nd by 5 p.m. The workshop is conducted in English. For further details please contact RedR India at training@redrindia.org. Do visit our website for information on other opportunities at RedR India. www.redrindia.org