Humanity in Action Rapid Multi-Sector Needs

Assessment
Report Template
Assessment Dates:
Locations:
Objective:
Assessment team:
(names and
positions)

The below provides a template for writing up the needs assessment. You can use some or all of
the sections as relevant from the assessment. This can then be used internally and externally for
raising funds for a response. Guiding questions are provided in each section.

1. Executive Summary:

Provide a summary of the assessment findings and recommendations. These can be described by
sector:

 Education: ?
 Livelihoods: ?
 Shelter and Non-Food Items: ?
 Food Security: ?
 WASH: ?
 Health: ?
 Protection: ?

2. Background

What?
 The disaster that has led to this emergency assessment?
 Any relevant info about previous disasters or responses?

Who?
 Have people been displaced? Where to? Where from?
 What is the average household size?
 What are the ethnic / social divisions within the population?
 Are there any marginalized groups?
 Which community representatives can assist in decision-making?
 Humanity in Action Rapid Multi-Sector Needs Assessment

How many?
 Breakdown of affected population by age and gender (pregnant & lactating women?)
 How many homes totally destroyed? Partially destroyed?

Why?
 Vulnerabilities of the population (food security, HIV/Aids, etc). Who is most vulnerable?
 Political context and governance, resources available, etc.?

Where?
 Geographical location
 What is the current climate? Do people have adequate clothing, shelter, fuel?
 Describe the environment – accessibility etc., and how this will affect access of relief?

Response to the Emergency to Date?

 What is being done so far? By who? For who?
 What is the government doing? Are key ministries still functioning?

3. Methodology

3.1 Objective
What was the overall and specific objectives of the assessment? For instance to:
a) Document a contextual analysis of the current humanitarian situation, identifying risks of
vulnerability to the affected population;
b) Identify humanitarian needs, and explore gaps in humanitarian coverage, recommending
programmatic interventions in emergency relief and sustainable recovery.

3.2 Methodology:
Describe the methodology of the assessment. What data was collected? Was it quantitative or
qualitative? Which stakeholders were met? Were Key Informant or Focus Group Discussions held?

3.3 Limitations:
State any limitations with the assessment, difficulties reaching certain regions, lack of quantitative
data available, etc.

4. Food Security and Livelihoods

 What are people’s main sources of food – before the emergency, and now?
 What are people’s main sources of income – before the emergency, and now? (include
gender differences)
 What kind of productive assets were lost?

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 Humanity in Action Rapid Multi-Sector Needs Assessment

 Where is their closest market that is still operating?

 What type of food is available in the market (by observation)?
 What was approximately the cost of their basic needs before the emergency? (monthly
expenses)
 What is approximately the cost of their basic needs now?
 Have the prices of basic items and food changed since the emergency? How much and for
which items?
 What is the nutrition status of the population (reports of malnutrition?)
 How is the situation expected to develop over the coming months (eg. did people lose their
harvest?)

5. WASH

5.1 Water Quantity, Quality, Access and Use

 What is the source of water for drinking, bathing, washing clothes?

 How much water is available per day per person?
 What options are there for increasing supply?
 Is water treatment necessary? What options are available?
 How far do people have to go for water? Who fetches water? Do they feel safe fetching
water?
 Do people have water containers available?

5.2 Excreta and Solid Waste Disposal

 What is the current defecation practice, and does it pose a threat to public health or the
physical safety of women and men?
 How many latrines are available? Who uses them? Who cleans them?
 Is there sufficient space for defecation fields, pit latrines, toilets, etc?
 What was the usual means of excreta disposal before the emergency? Do people know how
to construct and use latrines?
 Are there significant gender-related beliefs or practices related to excrete disposal? How are
children’s feces disposed of?
 Is household waste going to cause a problem (disposal, health risks)? What solutions might
be possible?
 Is there a drainage problem?

5.3 Health and Hygiene Practices

 What do mothers do when children have diarrhea?

 What level of awareness is there about safe hygiene practices?
 Is soap available?
 What are women’s needs relating to menstruation?

6. Education

 Are schools available? Are they adequately resourced?

 What proportion of children are attending schools?

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 Humanity in Action Rapid Multi-Sector Needs Assessment

 If children are not attending school, why?

 Are Child Friendly Spaces available? Are they adequately resourced?

7. Shelter and NFIs

7.1 Shelter (Including Site Selection & Physical Planning)

 Have people left their normal homes? What damage has been caused to their normal
homes? What shelter is currently available to them? Are they settled or mobile?
 What is the current weather? Do people need blankets, additional clothing?
 What shelter materials are locally available?
 What construction methods are usually employed in the area?
 Will tents or plastic sheeting be distributed?
 How much space is available for family shelters?
 If people are in an evacuation centre / transit site – how long is the likely duration?
 Is there enough space at the site for roads, water installations, education facilities, future
expansion (if more IDPs arrive)?

7.2 NFIs

 Is fuel available for heating or cooking?

 Do people require mattresses, cooking utensils, household water storage, sanitary
materials, lighting, household tools etc?
 Any significant NFI needs?

8. Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM)

 Who is doing CCCM? Is it effective?

 Who is undertaking registrations? Are all participants registered?
 What services are being offered in the settlement? Are the any notable exceptions?

9. Protection

 Are there restrictions on freedom of movement?

 Is there appropriate lighting in the settlement?
 Are there particular groups who may be more vulnerable to violence/abuse? eg. Women,
boys, girls, handicapped, elderly.
 In case of violations and/or disputes, what mechanisms are availble for recourse? eg. sharia
courts, secular/ legal courts, etc.
 If a displaced population, how does the hosting community perceive the displaced people?
 Are children working?

10. Health

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 Humanity in Action Rapid Multi-Sector Needs Assessment

 What were common causes of illness prior to the emergency? What illnesses are people
suffering from now?
 Check malaria, dengue, immunization for measles, prevalence of diarrhoea
 Vector-Borne Diseases. What are the vector borne disease risks (malaria, dengue etc) in
this area, in this season?

11. Logistics

 Security – what are the issues? Are there any constraints?

 Infrastructure – What is the local power supply? What are the road and access conditions?
Can trucks access?
 Accommodation and offices – Where and what accommodation (office, houses,
warehouses) are available?
 Is internet available at the site? Can computer and communication equipment be purchased
locally?
 Is there a need for satellite or radio communications (eg mobile phone networks damaged?)
 Insurance and regulations – what are the costs involved? Is HUMANITY IN ACTION
registered?
 Partner Assessment – if working with partners, are their logistics and finance procedures
adequate?

12. Conclusion and Recommendations

12.1 Conclusion:

State key conclusions.

12.2 Recommendations:

State key recommendations for assistance, if any. Recommendations should be articulated by

sector.

13. Assessment Pictures

Add any photographs to add supporting documentation to the assessment.