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
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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
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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.
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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
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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?
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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
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 [email protected] 01779660986
4 Ataul Gani Osmani C4D Officer UNICEF [email protected] 1818718290
5 Hasibul Mannan Disaster Readiness
Specialist
American Red Cross [email protected]
6 Helen Chakma Health Officer UNICEF [email protected] 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
9 Mahmud Hossain PM-Host Community CARE [email protected]
10 Mansoor Jafer Field Manager REACH coxbazar.field-manager@reach-
initiative.org
01886180801
11 Milton Kumar Saha Field officer DRR
(Bangladesh Red Crescent)
BDRC [email protected]
12 Mohammad Fahim Hassin Operations Officer, NPM Needs and Population Monitoring (NPM),
International Organization for Migration
13 Mohammad Zahidul Manir Nutrition Officer UNICEF [email protected]
14 Mr Al Mamun Project Implementation
Officer (PIO)
15 Mr Md Sirajul Islam Chief Assistant DRRO Office, Coxs Bazar [email protected] 01767410810
16 Mr. Abdur Rahman Information Management
Officer
Embedded with district administration,
Deputy Commissioner’s Office
[email protected] 01781165554
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Sl Name Designation Your Organization Email Mobile Number
17 Mushfiqul Islam GIS Data Management
Associate
WFP-VAM [email protected]
18 Nii Ako Sowa Associate IM Officer UNHCR [email protected]
19 Nina Yang Research Manager REACH [email protected] 01881568374
20 Ralf Ketelaars Field Delegate International Committee of the Red Cross [email protected] 01847454291
21 S M Asif Sazed Information Management
Officer
Health Sector Coordination Team, WHO [email protected] 01714165218
22 Samia Ahmed Emergency Specialist UNICEF [email protected]
23 Sharmin Akter National Project Officer,
Livelihood and Social
Cohesion
Transition and Recovery Division (TRD),
International Organization for Migration
24 Shonchita Sultana Program Officer, PMR UNICEF [email protected] 01988300109
25 Sidrahtul Muntaha Admin Officer ISCG [email protected] 019 53780305
26 SK Sabbir Hossain Information Management ISCG [email protected] 018 39368054
27 Tahsina Taimur Education Officer UNICEF [email protected]
28 Tessa Richardson NPM Coordinator, NPM Needs and Population Monitoring (NPM),
International Organization for Migration
[email protected] 018 85946977
29 Timothy Connolly EPR Advisor ISCG [email protected]
30 Zahidul Mamun Wash Specialist UNICEF [email protected] 1758435577
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Facilitators
Name Designation Organization Email Mobile
5 Khandokar Hasanul Banna Training and Liaison Manager BBC Media Action [email protected] 1842711155
1 Apurba S Mahboob Technical Coordinator CARE Bangladesh [email protected] 01622837796
3 Kaiser Rejve Director CARE Bangladesh [email protected] 1713041968
7 Marwa Tasnim Development Trainee CARE Bangladesh [email protected] 1624384393
10 Mrityunjoy Das Program Coordinator CARE Bangladesh [email protected] 01711 156932
2 Jafar Iqbal Program Manager CARE Bangladesh [email protected] 0 1915 177117
6 Mahbubur Rahman Coordinator-CwC Working Group IOM [email protected];
01750137981
11 Sidrahtul Muntaha Admin Officer ISCG [email protected] 019 5378 0305
12 SK Sabbir Hossain Information Management ISCG [email protected] 018 3936 8054
13 Timothy Connolly EPR Advisor ISCG [email protected]
14 Tessa Richardson NPM Coordinator, NPM Needs and Population Monitoring
(NPM), International Organization
for Migration
[email protected] 018 85946977
4 Kazi Shahidur Rahman Humanitarian Affairs Specialist UNRCO [email protected] 1711427744
8 Mohammad Mahbubul Alam WFP [email protected] 1710908566
9 Mohammad Mainul Hoosain
Rony
Cluster Coordinator a.i WFP, FAO, UNICEF [email protected];
01791009007