What is the Rapid Needs Assessment tool?

Session Objective and Outline Train key operational partners on the use of the Rapid Needs Assessment tool. Outline Methodology and structure of the questionnaire Before the assessment mission During the assessment mission After the assessment mission .

RNA Methodology Unit of measurement: Communities Source of information: KI interviews and/or CGD. Selection methods: Location-based assessment with KIs who know the needs of the population in their sub-district (or in a sector) as a result of their professional background, leadership responsibilities or because of their particular personal experience Interviewing method: Conversational with standardized meaning which is expected to increase accuracy. Geographic coverage: Accessible neighborhoods and villages with high populations of IDPs, returnees, host-communities and non-displaced. .

Structure of the Kobo Collect English version: finalized. Package will be shared this week. Arabic version: currently being prepared. KoboTool can be setup to be in Arabic. Intro & Guidance Basic Information (enumerator, location, KI) Core Questions Detailed Questions

Features of the RNA Questionnaire Collection of basic information on humanitarian conditions in all contexts related to conflict displacement – IDPs; Returnees; Host community; and Non-displaced. Covers basic topics organised by cluster – Education, Emergency Livelihoods and Markets, Food Security, Health, Protection, Shelter/NFI, and WASH. Used in complementarity with existing tools primarily in areas with mixed population. Mixed form - open/closed ended, open ended with pre-coded answers. Core questions are mandatory. There is always an ‘exit’ option. .

What type of data can the RNA collect? Screening – flagging a serious problem (y/n) Q: Are there challenges in accessing food? A: Yes/No/DNK Scoping - main causes of the problem (ranking) Q: What are the main WASH concerns? A: Rank 1: No access due to limited economic resources; Rank 2: Not enough storage capacity; Rank 3: Not enough access due to security concerns. Targeting – who is most affected? (vulnerable population) Q: Which groups have most challenges in accessing income? A: IDPs/Returnees/Host community/Non-host Scale – Estimated proportion in need (%) Q: What proportion of children have been vaccinated for polio and measles? A: xxx%

Procedures to conduct RNA Before the assessment mission During the assessment mission After the assessment mission

Part I - Before the assessment mission Identify the neighbourhood or village to assess and notify Zone Coordinators and partners. Collate background or baseline data on that area and the affected populations in it. Get familiar with the RNA tool. Form the team and arrange logistics. Know how to collect and send back data.

Part I - Before the assessment mission Identify the nieghbourhood or village you need to assess and notify Zone Coordinators and partners. Potential ‘triggers’: Flagged by CMCoord, clusters, partners as an area that requires assessments ; Large movements of people signaled; Access is possible; Lack of information; Only outdated/incomplete/insufficient information is available

Part I - Before the assessment mission 2. Collate any background or baseline data that you have regarding that area and the affected populations in it. Tips: Look on the Assessment Registry, ask Zone Coordinators, ask other NGOs, ask your local contacts. Don’t waste resources, time, and abuse the affected people’s good will, if it the information is there. What was the situation before the operations started? Do you have reports, other partners operating there? What is already known? Have any assessment been conducted before? Take maps. Ensure you have emergency contacts.

Part I - Before the assessment mission 3. Get familiar with the tool Know the mandatory questions. Know when to prompt-response options and when not. Know the sections so you can switch through the sections. Tips: Learn the shortcuts.

Part I - Before the assessment mission 4. Form the team and arrange logistics. Team Leader (has all package + trained/ experienced) Include: different actors (sector specialties , locals, females). At least one member of the team should be familiar with the locations and speak the local language. Contact the communities you are intending to visit before you go– if not possible, consider a pre-visit in advance of the assessment

Part I - Before the assessment mission 5. Know how to collect and send back data. Ensure you have the link downloaded on your phone or tablet and that each team-member has a hard copy (guidance will be provided). Allow for one day for the field visit, including time to consolidate field findings into one form. Submit one form via KoboCollect tool (e.g. Only the Team Leader ‘submits’ the one survey).

Part II - During the assessment mission Visit the local community leader (e.g. Mukthar) before your assessment and explain the purpose of the assessment + get Key Informant contacts Make a selection of Key Informants(KI) with relevant expertise (e.g. Mukhtars, doctors, teachers, recent returnees etc.) Observe and take notes on the situation, context, risks. Set up the interviews. Conduct the interviews.

Part II - During the assessment mission 6. Select the Key Informant (KI). Key informants are people with specific knowledge about certain aspects of the community, the site visited, the population or the emergency, either because of their professional background, leadership responsibilities or because of their particular personal experience

Part II - During the assessment mission 7. Potential Kis: Local Councils Doctors, engineers, teachers, etc. Census office Community leaders Relief comities Local charities Note: Ensure that concerns of females and males are taken into consideration by considering KI of both genders. Maximum 3-5 respondents at one time.

Part II - During the assessment mission 8. Observe and take notes on the situation, context, risks. Use information observed about surroundings to triangulate against what the community highlights as issues. Observations from team members who know the community are more reliable.

Part II - During the assessment mission 9. Set up the interview There should be one interviewer and one note-taker. Brief and ask for permission for the interview(s) to take place. Find a suitable location (e.g. shade, safe, not crowded).

Part II - During the assessment mission 9. Set up the interview (continued) The interview can either be: 1 or more community discussions with 3-5 different Key Informants (e.g. 1 Mukhtar, 2 specialists) Several single Key Informant interviews with knowledgeable KIs However: ONLY SUBMIT 1 FORM AT THE END

Part II - During the assessment mission 10. Conduct the interview. Use the RNA to have a structured conversation with the KI(s). Paying attention to the type of question is critical for getting the right answers. Read the explanations (e.g. For most questions, you do not read the answers out loud). Tips: Skip through the form (‘Go to Start’; ‘Go to End’; Go to Prompt’) to keep up with the content provided by the KI. Pre-fill (or leave at the end) the section on enumerator.

Part II - During the assessment mission Remember to: Sit next to the person and do not tower above the person. Be sympathetic. Paraphrase and repeat to make sure your both on the same page. Do not engage in politics. Allow KI time to elaborate the answers. Do not be bored, annoyed, exasperated.

Part III – After the assessment mission 11. Send completed assessment form Remember: For Mosul city, at the end there must be 1 questionnaire per neighbourhood or village. For example: 1 community discussion with 5 people + 3 separate interviews with key informants = 1 questionnaire submitted,.

COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION WITH 5 PEOPLE Part III - After the assessment mission STEP 1: Team members conduct interviews with the KIs (either on paper, or on Kobo on their phones), they do not submit these forms STEP 2: Most senior member of team debriefs other members of teams. STEP 3: Most senior member then fills in one final form for the neighborhood/village, which will be submitted to the OCHA server NO OTHER FORMS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE SERVER INTERVIEW 1 INTERVIEW 2 COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION WITH 5 PEOPLE 1 FINAL FORM