Joint Needs Assessment (JNA) Regional Training

Cox’s Bazar

Needs Assessment Working Group (NAWG)

In collaboration with

Inter Sector Coordination Group (ISCG)

Cox’s Bazar, 02-04 September, 2019

Summary Report

Needs Assessment Working Group Page 2 of 9

Background As consensus with Government of Bangladesh and agreed by HCTT all assessments in the initial days and weeks of a disaster,

there should be coordinated and joint assessment/s to make sure participation of all stakeholders and ownership of the

results. Humanitarian stakeholders in the country developed the Joint Needs Assessment (JNA) tools, methodologies,

processes following and contextualizing the MIRA best practices. For successfully conducting the Rapid Needs Assessment

of any disasters in Bangladesh, A Needs Assessment Working Group (NAWG) has been established with the participation of

all humanitarian stakeholders in Bangladesh under the Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT) to support GoB’s

efforts and, to ensure complementarities. The NAWG is being co-chaired by Department of Disaster Management (DDM)

and CARE, Bangladesh. NAWG secretariat is based in CARE with the support of DFID and UNOPS under Supporting Bangladesh

Rapid Needs Assessment (SUBARNA) project.

Regional level Training, (Cox’s Bazar): NAWG in collaboration with ISCG Needs Assessment Working Group (NAWG) had organized the training session on Joint Needs Assessment (JNA) in collaboration with ISCG in southern coastal region of Bangladesh under SUBARNA (Supporting Bangladesh Rapid Needs Assessment) project, CARE Bangladesh. Being in the most disaster prone zone and being the part of coastal belt make Cox’s Bazar one of our target areas for providing JNA training with. It also has a unique feature regarding disaster risk reduction preparedness because of the numerous disasters it faced over the years. Under the leadership of DDM, MoDMR and supervision of HCTT,

NAWG is mandated to provide technical support, orientation and

training to ISCG in as a collaborative venture for effective damage

and needs assessment in Ukhia and Teknaf upazila as ISCG has

strong presence in these two Upazilas.

Key operational humanitarian agents were trained on coordination and assessment methodologies. Total Three Upazillas from Cox’s Bazar, Ukhiya and Teknaf were covered by this training. The operational training took place from 02-04 September, 2019 in Hotel Long Beach, Cox’s Bazar.

Participants and Facilitators With the spirit of Needs Assessment Working Group, multi-

stakeholder approach was ensured in the training. Participants

were selected by ISCG and reviewed by NAWG, which ranges

from INGOs, Local NGOs, UN agencies and Sector representatives, and

national NGOs working in the coastal belt of Bangladesh.

Timothy Connoly, EPR Advisor, ISCG, one of the most experienced

humanitarian activists has honored us by inaugurating the training on

behalf of ISCG. Along with him Kazi Shahidur Rahman, Humanitarian

Programme Specilaist from UNRCO, Mahbubur Rahman, Coordinator-CwC

Working Group (IOM), Mahbubul Alam (VAM-WFP) and Mohammad

Mainul Hossain Rony (FAO-WFP-UNICEF) have also delivered their speech

and graced us in the inauguration session of the training.

Training Objectives Let the participants understand the

process, protocols of Joints Needs Assessment in Bangladesh with the lessons learnt in the journey in Bangladesh

Develop a core group of stakeholder agencies and organizations with the commitment and capacity to actively participate and lead a coordinated assessment.

Establish a core group of individuals (with the commitment of their employers) to be the national JNA training team for the district level trainings.

Expose participants to work with secondary data and information.

Strengthen capacity to coordinate, negotiate and validate assessments.

Increase the understanding and ability of participants to connect with multi-sector analysis.

Paving the path of future collaboration with NAWG and ISCG in coming days

National NGOs

INGOs

ISCG

Needs Assessment Working Group Page 3 of 9

Profile of the participant key characteristics Preferably female person. Working key humanitarian stakeholders: NGO, INGO, UN relevant

from all three Upazillas (Ukhiya, Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar) Working on and related to Information Management/ Monitoring/

Value Assessment With humanitarian Commitment focusing on Host community and

Rohingya community Having coordination experiences with government and other NGOs

and INGOs. Skilled in different participatory methods of data collection, validation

at community level. Committed to dedicate time during/after disasters. Willing to rolling out JNA data collection/validation procedures at

Camp Area and relevant Upazillas Proficient user of email and android apps.

Experts from different sectors relevant to topic have delivered their sessions both

individually and jointly. Some of the facilitators are: Timothy Connolly, Tessa

Richardson, Kazi Shahidur Rahman, Khandokar Hasanul Banna, Kaiser Rejve,

Mahbubur Rahman, Mohammad Mahbubul Alam, Mohammad Mainul Hoosain

Rony etc. The full list can be found in Annex.

Training Methodology and Materials: The training was thematically divided into three major segments: Overview,

Theory and Simulation. Initially an overview of the humanitarian architecture, Needs Assessments and its relationship with

the participants, Humanitarian Coordination and Joint Needs Assessment in ISCG Context were provided. National capacity

and structure for including international support in disaster

management, UN support for preparedness and response

complementing Government efforts reflecting global and local UN

accountability structure and the Bangladesh humanitarian coordination

structure including NAWG’s responsibility for effective disaster

management coordination in ISCG and Rohingya context were some of

the most significant topics that were covered in the early segment of

the day. Over time, facilitators went in depth with the Needs

assessment formats, procedures and practical examples of real life

situation.

To train on Needs Assessment tools three approaches were taken:

Overview on the particular tool, simulation and then founding the

concept with theory. Sessions were highly equipped with slideshows,

hands on technical training and quizzed to check on the understanding

of the participants. They were routinely asked to conduct role-play, presentations and for feedback. The whole training was

conducted surrounding the concept of simulation and that seem to benefit participants to build a profound understanding.

One of the biggest value additions of this training is including technology and engaging participants in simulation of JNA on

how to gather real time emergency data using KOBO Toolbox. Trainees not only got familiar with how to use this platform

(e-questionnaire) and provide data on time, but also how to deal with the negotiation, coordination and validation in time

essential emergency.

Conducting simulation helped all the participants realize their situation and improvement points that can be applied in real

life. For example, maintaining coordination in asking questions in conducting Phase II JNA, knowing the difference between

loss and need, understanding the context of need in terms of timing of the JNA, understanding field reality and not being

judgemental or providing advices to affected community were some of them.

Experimenting with 3 days long simulation along with its theoretical background was very inspiring for the trainers was

seemingly successful. Attendance of multi-layered stakeholders was a cherry on top of it.

Needs Assessment Working Group Page 4 of 9

Training Content: Major Areas

Ensuring Accountability from both ends:

Participant’s Feedbacks

To ensure continuous learning, improvement and growth feedback was collected from participants using Mentimeter

and the google form. Mentimeter helped gather the instant and anonymous feedback on what they learnt and how they

felt about the training. Before starting the sessions, we also accepted expectations from the participants and at the end of

the training, we reviewed them to see how much we have lived up to their expectation; and it turned out, NAWG did it

well!

Commitments As one of the key objectives of this training,

we are contributing in building human

resources throughout Bangladesh and keep

them on board and ready to commit

whenever there’s a disaster and as a result

JNA is triggered. Being committed and

available with contact details is part of the

JNA training commitment and thus the

participants are included in a human

resource database maintained by NAWG.

However, we also have distributed the

contribution opportunities into some tiers so that the responsibilities do not stay limited to information

management. To maintain connection, participants have put the name of their organization/ contact detail

under their area of interest.

JNA and its Stakeholders

Coordination Structure in BD:

National Policy and in ISCG

Using KoBo Toolbox field level

data collection

JNA Phase 1, 2 and 72 hours assessment: Closer look

Data

Primary and Secondary

Output from each simulation

Joint Analysis Report writing & present

Simulation: for all the JNA tools from Upazila level

Protection issues in Emergency

Coordination, Negotiation & Validation Mechanism

Analysis

Team

Reporting

Team

Local Govt.

Coordination

Data Management Field Coordination

Needs Assessment Working Group Page 5 of 9

Figure: One Word from participants- What we learnt and how we feel about the training Given the

profiles of the participants this contribution opportunity felt required and here are the options on the basis of

the steps of roles and responsibilities in a Joint Needs Assessment:

On the other hand a more detail feedback form was sent to the participants from whom the following outcome came:

Feedback /Areas of Improvement from participants included the following: More future collaboration between NAWG and ISCG should take place

More Inter-cluster coordination and scenario specific examples needed

More practical simulation is required to understand the whole process. Sometimes the discussions were too theoretical

More time needed to complete the simulation thoroughly

Lecture method and medium of instruction could have been better on the theoretical part.

More contextualization regarding Rohingya response will be appreciated

Lack of exercise practically, less number of group exercise, less number of materials directly connected with specific points

The Community Group Discussion on Phase II can better.

Not SoMuch0%

Average24%

Better than Average

19%

Most Relevant57%

How relevant and useful do you think the training was for your job?

Somewhat Confident

24%

Confident43%

Fully Confident

33%

After this training, how confident do you feel to prepare situation report?

Needs Assessment Working Group Page 6 of 9

Recommendations and Way Forward In-depth Simulation: Simulation helps participant understand the process of JNA in depth. The method of on and off

simulation along with theory seemed a little distracting. However, having the theory as a guideline as hand out might bring

out the higher potential of the simulation. Also doing while learning is the best method so far, having higher time in

simulation is recommended for JNA training.

Further Communication: Keeping in touch with the trainee and providing refresher training time to time is the key to keep

the human resource ready. A complete database along with a mechanism for routine communication with the trained

resources is a timely demand now. Social media is being used limitedly to keep the communication, but more is required.

Secondary pre-crisis database: A multi-dimensional, accessible pre-crisis database is foundation to accurate Rapid Need

Assessment. There are many authentic and credible online portals that provide secondary data. The practice of layering

them up and utilizing them for prompt analysis should be scaled up between JNA stakeholders. NAWG should step

forward, take a hold and host a common platform for all updated tools, pre-crisis data and reports.

Overall readiness of participating in real time JNA: With the training participants become more confident and becoming a

ready resource for conducting JNA at any given emergency. One of the main objectives of the training was to introduce

more humanitarian professional with the expertise of conducting JNA and having their commitment for serving the

humanity in distress. To ensure that those trained would be available to coordinate assessments, NAWG will maintain a

database of the pool and keep routine contact with all relevant agencies.

Collaboration with Government at all levels: In the Cox’s Bazar Regional training a unique collaboration with ISCG,

relationship between NAWG and HCTT clusters were depicted and that helped build connection and increase the spill over

effect of the training. More collaboration and farther planning will be highly effective for bringing the counterparts on

board and keeping the network of the Humanitarian stakeholders’ strong thus better preparedness in Bangladesh. For a

more effective need assessment coordination with local level government stakeholder should come forward with high

stake and ownership and prioritise conducting JNA for ensuring transparency and measurable impact in emergency.

Conclusion: From the evaluation of the training survey, NAWG summarise that the combination of INGO and NGO representatives,

ISCG and HCTT and different level of expertise made the training more interactive and useful for participants. In the end

participants were more engaged, felt highly committed about the policy and process of JNA. It was highly visible how the

regional Training on Joint Needs Assessment was leaving its footprints towards better disaster management in Bangladesh.

Annex: Participant List

Sl Name Designation Your Organization Email Mobile Number

1 Ahsan Ullah Mohammed National Project Officer,

DRR

Transition and Recovery Division (TRD), International Organization for Migration

ahsanullah@iom.int

2 Asif Arafat Sector Coordinator-WASH Action Against Hunger, WASH Sector, Cox’s

Bazar

washsecco-cox@bd-

actionagainsthunger.org

3 Asma Tandra Child Protection Officer UNICEF atandra@unicef.org 01779660986

4 Ataul Gani Osmani C4D Officer UNICEF agosmani@unicef.org 1818718290

5 Hasibul Mannan Disaster Readiness

Specialist

American Red Cross hasibul.mannan@amcrossbd.org

6 Helen Chakma Health Officer UNICEF hchakma@unicef.org 1747802284

7 Hrithika Barua Field Coordinator REACH coxbazar.field-coordinator2@reach-

initiative.org

8801670336960

8 Madhuparna Dutta Reporting Officer Needs and Population Monitoring (NPM),

International Organization for Migration

mdutta@iom.int

9 Mahmud Hossain PM-Host Community CARE mahmud.hossain@care.org

10 Mansoor Jafer Field Manager REACH coxbazar.field-manager@reach-

initiative.org

01886180801

11 Milton Kumar Saha Field officer DRR

(Bangladesh Red Crescent)

BDRC milton.saha@bdrcs.org

12 Mohammad Fahim Hassin Operations Officer, NPM Needs and Population Monitoring (NPM),

International Organization for Migration

mfhasan@iom.int

13 Mohammad Zahidul Manir Nutrition Officer UNICEF mmanir@unicef.org

14 Mr Al Mamun Project Implementation

Officer (PIO)

GoB cathrine.haarsaker@undp.org

15 Mr Md Sirajul Islam Chief Assistant DRRO Office, Coxs Bazar sirajpty82@gmail.com 01767410810

16 Mr. Abdur Rahman Information Management

Officer

Embedded with district administration,

Deputy Commissioner’s Office

abdur.rahman@undp.org 01781165554

Needs Assessment Working Group Page 8 of 9

Sl Name Designation Your Organization Email Mobile Number

17 Mushfiqul Islam GIS Data Management

Associate

WFP-VAM mushfiqul.islam@wfp.org

18 Nii Ako Sowa Associate IM Officer UNHCR sowanii@unhcr.org

19 Nina Yang Research Manager REACH nina.yang@reach-initiative.org 01881568374

20 Ralf Ketelaars Field Delegate International Committee of the Red Cross rketelaars@icrc.org 01847454291

21 S M Asif Sazed Information Management

Officer

Health Sector Coordination Team, WHO sazeds@who.int 01714165218

22 Samia Ahmed Emergency Specialist UNICEF samiahmed@unicef.org

23 Sharmin Akter National Project Officer,

Livelihood and Social

Cohesion

Transition and Recovery Division (TRD),

International Organization for Migration

shaakter@iom.int

24 Shonchita Sultana Program Officer, PMR UNICEF shsultana@unicef.org 01988300109

25 Sidrahtul Muntaha Admin Officer ISCG admin.officer@iscgcxb.org 019 53780305

26 SK Sabbir Hossain Information Management ISCG im2@iscgcxb.org 018 39368054

27 Tahsina Taimur Education Officer UNICEF ttaimur@unicef.org

28 Tessa Richardson NPM Coordinator, NPM Needs and Population Monitoring (NPM),

International Organization for Migration

trichardson@iom.int 018 85946977

29 Timothy Connolly EPR Advisor ISCG Timothy.connolly@wfp.org

30 Zahidul Mamun Wash Specialist UNICEF zmamun@unicef.org 1758435577

Needs Assessment Working Group Page 9 of 9

Facilitators

Name Designation Organization Email Mobile

5 Khandokar Hasanul Banna Training and Liaison Manager BBC Media Action hasanul.banna@bd.bbcmediaaction.org 1842711155

1 Apurba S Mahboob Technical Coordinator CARE Bangladesh apurbaswatee.mahboob@care.org 01622837796

3 Kaiser Rejve Director CARE Bangladesh kaiser.rejve@care.org 1713041968

7 Marwa Tasnim Development Trainee CARE Bangladesh marwa.tasnim@care.org 1624384393

10 Mrityunjoy Das Program Coordinator CARE Bangladesh mrityunjoy.das@care.org 01711 156932

2 Jafar Iqbal Program Manager CARE Bangladesh jafar.iqbal@care.org 0 1915 177117

6 Mahbubur Rahman Coordinator-CwC Working Group IOM cxb.cwcwg@gmail.com;

mahbub.humanitarian@gmail.com

01750137981

11 Sidrahtul Muntaha Admin Officer ISCG admin.officer@iscgcxb.org 019 5378 0305

12 SK Sabbir Hossain Information Management ISCG im2@iscgcxb.org 018 3936 8054

13 Timothy Connolly EPR Advisor ISCG Timothy.connolly@wfp.org

14 Tessa Richardson NPM Coordinator, NPM Needs and Population Monitoring

(NPM), International Organization

for Migration

trichardson@iom.int 018 85946977

4 Kazi Shahidur Rahman Humanitarian Affairs Specialist UNRCO shahidur.rahman@one.un.org 1711427744

8 Mohammad Mahbubul Alam WFP mohammad.mahabubul.alam@wfp.org 1710908566

9 Mohammad Mainul Hoosain

Rony

Cluster Coordinator a.i WFP, FAO, UNICEF mohammad.rony@fao.org;

mrony@unicef.org

01791009007