Assessing Information and Communication Needs: A Quick and Easy Guide for Those Working in Humanitarian Response

This guide, developed by Communicating with Disaster-Affected Communities (CDAC) Network Member agencies in collaboration with the Assessment Capacities Project (ACAPS), contains "common tools to assess information and communication needs of communities affected by disasters" and is designed for staff working on a humanitarian response.

"It provides guidance on steps humanitarian responders can take to assess and determine how to enhance communication with and among communities at different stages of an emergency. Five key questions are suggested, including explanations of why these questions should be asked, and how agencies could act on this data to improve communication in humanitarian response....This tool also includes a ‘Pocket Guide’, which is designed for field practitioners and can be printed on one double-sided sheet of paper. It summarises the key steps and provides the five key questions and response options."

The guide aims to: highlight understanding a community's information needs and available communication channels; provide key questions for a needs assessment and what to do with collected data; support communication coordination; and address resource limitations on assessment.

Phase 1 in the immediate aftermath of the crisis outlines how to collect information on available communication channels and how to use and share the data. Phase 2 describes how to ensure that appropriate questions on communication are included in rapid needs assessments, for example: "What, if anything, is preventing you from getting the information you need now?" Phase 3 gives guidance on what to include in a more detailed needs assessment 3-4 weeks after the initial crisis.

Click here to access the 10-page guide in PDF format.

Click here to access the guide and the pocket guides in PDF format.