Joint Needs Assessment (JNA) Regional Level Operational Training: Barishal Needs Assessment Working Group (NAWG) Barishal, 18-20 December, 2018 Summary Report 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 Training Objectives participation of all stakeholders and ownership of the results. Let the participants understand the Humanitarian stakeholders in the country developed the Joint process, protocols of Joints Needs Needs Assessment (JNA) tools, methodologies, processes Assessment in Bangladesh with the lessons following and contextualizing the MIRA best practices. For learnt in the journey in Bangladesh successfully conducting the Rapid Needs Assessment of any Develop a core group of stakeholder disasters in Bangladesh, A Needs Assessment Working Group agencies and organizations with the (NAWG) has been established with the participation of all commitment and capacity to actively humanitarian stakeholders in Bangladesh under the participate and lead a coordinated assessment. Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT) to support GoB’s Establish a core group of individuals (with efforts and, to ensure complementarity. The NAWG is being co- the commitment of their employers) to be chaired by Department of Disaster Management (DDM) and the national JNA training team for the CARE, Bangladesh. NAWG secretariat is based in CARE with the district level trainings. support of DFID and UNOPS under Supporting Bangladesh Rapid Expose participants to work with secondary Needs Assessment (SUBARNA) project. data and information. Strengthen capacity to coordinate, Regional level Training, Barisal: negotiate and validate assessments. Needs Assessment Working Group (NAWG) under Humanitarian Increase the understanding and ability of Coordination Task Team (HCTT) which is co-chaired by participants to connect with multi-sector Department of Disaster Management (DDM), GoB and CARE analysis. Bangladesh had organized the training session on Joint Needs Assessment (JNA) 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 Barisal 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. Key operational humanitarian agents were trained on coordination and assessment methodologies. Total seven district (Borguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Barisal, Pirozpur and Jhalokhati) from coastal areas was covered by this training. Barisal level Operational Training took place from 18 to 20th December, in Hotel Grand Park, Barisal. Participants and Facilitators With the spirit of Needs Assessment Working Group, multi-stakeholder GoB approach was ensured in the training. Participants were selected by NWAG International NGOs and UN member organizations, who committed to work as NAWG focal ranges from National NGOs Government to Local NGOs, UN agencies and cluster representatives to INGOs, and national NGOs working in the coastal belt of Bangladesh. As expected, Md. Anisur Rahman, Director (M&E), DDM have honored us by inaugurating the training on behalf of Government of Bangladesh. Md. Abdul Latif (DRRO, Barishal), A H Towfique Ahmed (Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, Barishal), Kaiser Rejve (Director, Care BD) have also graced us in the inauguration session of the training. Participant’s selection criteria were well articulated to NAWG members: Preferably female person. Working in a Government (DRROs, PIOs), NGO, INGO, UN at district level office. Needs Assessment Working Group Page 2 of 7 Having humanitarian and emergency experiences as well as commitment. Having coordination experiences with government and other NGOs and INGOs. Skilled in different participatory methods of data collection, validation at community level. Willing to dedicate time during/after disasters. Willing to rolling out JNA data collection/validation procedures at upazila level. Proficient user of email and android apps. Training Methodology and Materials: The training was thematically divided into three major segments: Overview, Implementation & Theory. Initially an overview of the humanitarian architecture, Needs Assessments and its relationship with the participants were provided. Once it was established that the participant was an important piece of JNA, trainer went in depth with the Needs assessment formats. 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. Training Content: Major Areas Using KoBo JNA and its DM policies and Toolbox field level Stakeholders GoB (DDM) data collection JNA Phase 1, 2 and Data 72 hours Output from each assessment: Primary and simulation Closer look Secondary Simulation: Coordination, Negotiation for all the JNA tools from Upazila level & Validation Mechanism Joint Analysis Report writing & present One of the biggest value addition of this training is including technology and simulating participants 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. Experimenting with 3 days long simulation along with its theoretical background was a first time of its kind and was seemingly successful. Attendance of multi-layered stakeholders was a cherry on top of it. Needs Assessment Working Group Page 3 of 7 Participant’s Feedbacks and Commitments 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. The outcome was satisfactory. One Word from participants What we learnt and how we feel about the training On the other hand a more detail feedback form was sent to the participants from which the following outcome came: Relevance/ Usefulness of Training Confidence to implement JNA at not so regional level Not so Okay confident somewhat much 0% Average 0% confident 0% not 5% confident 5% The mostly at all relevant 0% 26% confident 48% Better than average 69% Fully Confident 47% Recurring feedback/Areas of Improvement from participants included the following: More Inter-cluster coordination and scenario specific examples needed Some ‘Before Simulation Guidance’ were required More practical simulation is required to understand the whole process More time needed to complete the simulation thoroughly Lecture method and medium of instruction could have been better on the theoretical part. Recommendations and Way Forward In-depth Simulation: Simulation help 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. Needs Assessment Working Group Page 4 of 7 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 objective 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 Barisal Regional training a unique collaboration with HCTT clusters were made and that helped 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.