Assessments

In the past HICs have participated in numerous assessments (Iraq, Liberia, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, and Pakistan) however it is more common for the HIC and IMU to advise in the design and analysis of surveys/assessments.

See

Assessment Quick Tips below

See Also:
Data Standards

PCodes

GIS

GPS

Assessment Quick Tips

Assessments are not as easy as you might think – if possible get an expert to help or someone with years of questionnaire design/survey administration experience.

Is it worth it?
Assessments are expensive, time consuming, and require lots of staff both to collect and analyze the information. Make sure to ask:
Do we really need this information?
Is there is another way to gather this information?

KISS
Keep it short and simple. If you present a 10-page questionnaire most potential respondents will give up before even starting. It is best to keep questionnaires to one page to speed the collection and analysis of the data.

Analyze Every Question
For every question on the assessment ask yourself exactly what will you do with the information, some information maybe nice to know but if you cannot organise, catalog, and analyse the response it is not worth asking the question.

Field Test
Make sure to field test the questionnaire before printing, you will be amazed at how many questions that make perfect sense in a meeting room are not understood by the respondent.

Data Entry and Analysis
Remember every survey needs to be collected, pass a quality control check, transported, entered into a computer and analyzed, make sure your timeline and budget take these logistically difficult and time consuming activities into account.

Dissemination
Who will have access to the final data? What is the best format to present the findings?
Consider providing all the data on a CD or DVD so that others can do their own analysis. Rapid Assessments need to be rapid (thus the name) the data needs to get back out to the community as quickly as possible.

Location Information
An HIC is often times not responsible or asked to participate in the design of a questionnaire but it would be in everyone’s best interest to make certain that location information is collected so that the results can be mapped.

Liberia Example:

IDP Survey - Liberia 2004

Assessment Form Examples

Examples of assessments/questionnaires used in other emergencies. Please note that OCHA is developing a set of standard assessment forms. Use the examples listed below as a starting point for the design of a new form.

Survey of Surveys

Survey of Surveys and Document Repositories – During a crisis many different organizations conduct surveys and assessments. The HIC and IMU can provide a valuable service to the community by collecting, organising, and sharing the information collected by other organizations. This section has excel spreadsheets and access databases created in Sri Lanka.

Reference and Resource Documents

Reference and resource documents on assessments

Demographic Methods in Emergency Assessment, 2003 by CIEDRS – a good general guide on how to conduct emergency assessments.

Needs Assessment and Decision Making, 2003 by HPG – examines the link between needs assessments and decision making.

Rapid Assessment Rationality, 2005 by VVAF – a report that examines the rational of conducting a rapid humanitarian assessments using the RAP conducted by the HIC in Iraq as an case study.

ADPC Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis, 2000 – Post-Disaster Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis by Asian Disaster Preparedness Center - this document aims to enhance decision-making regarding deployment of resource during post-disaster relief operations.

Needs Analysis Framework, 2005 Strengthening the Process of Analysis and Presentation of Humanitarian Needs in the CAP