Session 6.3. Assessment Basics & Bias: A Community-based Approach

Session 6.3. Assessment Basics & Bias: A Community-based Approach UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

Emergency Needs & Resources Assessment “…a process of gathering and analysing information, which will then form a basis for operations planning….” “…a process of understanding the situation, and identifying the needs, resources, constraints and opportunities, and analysing them in order to better assist affected populations…” UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

Assessment: The link to decision-making is key! Info needs of end-users identified Data collection methods selected Decision-makers modify response Data collected Conclusions disseminated to decision-makers Data cross-checked & analysed Conclusions drawn UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

Initial Rapid Assessment Focus • What are the main problems? • Is there an emergency or not? • What is the nature of the emergency? • Who needs help? Who are most vulnerable? • What are conditions of those needing help? • What resources are immediately available? • What is the gap between needs and resources? • What are local Ministries, Agencies and other organizations doing? • Checklist: See Handbook Pages 46-47 UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

Information Collection Methods • Observation • Interviews • Surveys • Critical sector assessments • Others? UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

Data Collection Tools • questionnaires • checklists • data processing programs • weight for height chart (nutrition) • gap identification tables (coordination) • technical tools, i.e. satellite imagery UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

Balancing Speed & Accuracy 1. Speed 2. Accuracy f Accuracy Time = Utility of Assessment Findings UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

Remember! The Initial Rapid Assessment: • just the first of many • quick • simplified A general rule: Get the whole picture half right. UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

Trade-offs Among Methods Formal Methods (Probability Sampling) Cost, TimeSkills, Flexibility Rapid Appraisal Methods Informal Methods ValidityReliabilityCredibility UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

Probability sampling … what is it? • …a process: a portion -- or a random sample - of the whole population is selected, examined, interviewed or measured • Purpose: to obtain more precise information about the population without having to interview everybody • Random sample: every member has equal chance of being included in sample. Obtaining “randomness” requires expertise, strict adherence to procedures UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

What are we trying to avoid by using probability sampling? UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

The Effects of Bias in International Emergency Assessments • Cultural bias • Gender bias • Seasonal or “time of day” bias • Others? UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

And now for something completely different! CHOOSE ANY ONE OF THE CARDS BELOW. REMEMBER YOUR CARD YOUR FACILITATOR WILL NOW MAKE YOUR CARD VANISH! UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

ASSESSMENT BIAS! 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? UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

“Mandate” Bias &The value of inter-agency assessment Resources (or “met” needs Mandate Needs UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

Triangulation: varying techniques, indicators of same event, info sources, team composition • Coordination • Joint assessment Reduce bias through: UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

Assessment Fundamentals: 1. All refugees/ displaced or disaster-affected are not the same and any single ethnic or religious group is not homogeneous. 2. Those in need are people with strengths and capacities on which to build emergency programming responses. UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

For Effective Planning: Identify Demographic Composition GENDER AGE FAMILY STATUS UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

Disaggregating Data • Disaggregate data to: • identify disparities concealed by averages • ensure equity of access to goods and services • Remember: Disaggregated data cannot be assumed from pre-crisis data • refugee emergencies distort demographics • traditional gender and age-specific roles may change UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

Assessing Capacity: Capacities / Vulnerabilities Analysis Capacities Vulnerabilities Resources Social/Organizational Motivational/Attitudinal UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

C/VA - Disaggregated by Gender Capacities Vulnerabilities Resources Social/Organizational Motivational/Attitudinal Women Women Men Men UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

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 Macedonians returning home from Kosovo UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

UNHCR photo UNHCR/e-Centre/InterWorks - Emergency Management Training

Session 6.3. Assessment Basics & Bias: A Community-based Approach