Brochure Page 1

The IM tools
MIRA
Inter-cluster assessment strategy for
the early days of an emergency
The Multi-sector Initial Rapid Assessment is an
assessment strategy and toolkit developed by the WASH,
Health, and Nutrition Clusters for the collection of needs
related information in the early days of an emergency by
generalist enumerators.
Survey tool
Produce enumeration
forms quickly
A catalogue of WASH related indicators which can be
turned ‘on’ or ‘off’ to rapidly produce tailored assessment
checklists and their associated data entry spreadsheets for
use by WASH sector specialists during field survey
activities. The tool produces three types of assessments:
Rapid Assessment Tool (RAT)
Comprehensive Assessment Tool (CAT)
Monitoring Tool
4W
Who, What, Where, and When for
agency coordination
A spreadsheet in which operational agencies report
project locations, WASH subsector of activity, number of
beneficiaries, and the project time frame.
Data tool
Compiles data collected
from Survey and 4W tools
For information managers working on behalf of the cluster
to compile data collected using the Survey and 4W Tool. It
produces standard reports detailing the priorities, progress
on filling needs, and gaps in the WASH response.
Download the Information Management tools from:
www.humanitarianreform.org/WASH
For more information on Information Management
contact the Global WASH Cluster Manager
JeanMcCluskey
McCluskey
Jean
jmccluskey@unicef.org | +41 22 909 56 16
The IM tools in use
Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Cluster
First few days after emergency
Rapidly collect common data to form a single
comprehensive needs analysis – for use by all in
developing a strategic plan and initial appeals
IM tools
MIRA
Outputs
Initial needs analysis
RAT
First few weeks after emergency
Provide a more detailed assessment of community
needs and the WASH sector’s capacity to meet
them, determining “gaps” for improved response
by all responders
IM tools
4W
CAT
Outputs
Needs analysis
Gap analysis
Capacity analysis
First few months after emergency
Provide ongoing information on whether the
situation is improving or if modifications to the
response are required
IM tools
4W
Monitoring
Customized using
the Survey Tool
Outputs
Needs analysis
Gap analysis
Capacity analysis
Analysed using
the Data Tool
On the cover: a map showing the results of a rapid
assessment developed using the Survey Tool, and
processed by the Data Tool. Red points show areas of
high need, reducing through orange, yellow, and green.
An introduction to the
information management tools
used in water, sanitation and
hygiene emergency response
Information sharing lies at the heart of how a
humanitarian response is coordinated.
Greater accountability, fewer gaps, and better
efficiency are possible If stakeholders are:
aware of what the other is doing;
how much work they are doing; and
where they are doing it.
Teamwork
In large emergencies the Global WASH cluster intends
to provide an information manager at the onset of the
emergency. This manager will establish effective data
collection mechanisms, and provide WASH specific
analysis and information products to better inform
decision making. In smaller emergencies this role will
be filled locally.
All members of the cluster are encouraged to cooperate
in the spirit of information sharing that stands at the
center of humanitarian coordination.
Timely sharing of reporting forms in appropriate formats
of agency activities is key but also participation in joint
agency assessment and monitoring is encouraged.
1. Content
2. Players
3. Analysis
4. Products
Cluster members decide
what information is needed
Everyone plays a part in
providing information
A constant process
Timely products to inform
planning and programmes
The WASH cluster generally
needs to gather information
beyond the purely technical
details required for project
design. Needs of the
affected population, and the
humanitarian community’s
capacity to fill those needs
is the starting point. This is
followed up with tracking
progress on filling those
needs over time and
calculating any outstanding
gap, and determining
whether the response has
been appropriate.
Information Manager
Responsible to provide the
stakeholders of the cluster
the information they need
to make planning
decisions, and, in doing so,
will act as an agent of the
cluster in organizing the
data collection process
along with performing
analyses and reporting
findings back to the cluster.
Skilled information
managers, working on
behalf of the cluster, are
tasked with providing the
stakeholders of the
cluster important
information products that
allow strategic decisions
to be made.
Data Tables
Detailed tables, usually
by location or agency
The cluster will need to
collect the information that it
requires using several
strategies: the most
common of which include
gathering of secondary data,
assessments and
monitoring, and having
agencies provide information
on their activities.
Cluster members
All humanitarian actors
share some responsibility in
contributing to information
management. Those that
are active in WASH
programs are responsible
to let others know what
types of interventions they
are doing, where, and
when. Others with spare
capacity may be able to
assist with assessment or
monitoring duties.
The data tools developed
during the course of this
project are particularly
useful for large
emergencies; however,
they will often be useful
in smaller and ongoing
emergency operations.
Maps
Assessment and 4W
data (agency reports of
who is doing what, when,
and where) in a graphical
formats. Simple
thematic maps are
particularly useful for
showing problems in
access and inequitable
distribution towards
modification of strategic
distribution and
advocacy. Detailed maps
assist in operational
planning.
Charts
Effective to show
progress of interventions
over time and
quantification of gaps.
Design: neilbrighton.ca
Download the Information Management tools from:
www.humanitarianreform.org/WASH
The WASH Information Management project was
managed by UNICEF on behalf of the Global Water,
Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Cluster. It was
implemented by the International Rescue Committee
and Oxfam. Survey content was developed by John
Adams. The Survey and Data Tools were developed
by Neil Bauman (nbauman@rocketmail.com) and
Mark Yarmoshuk (mark@yarmoshuk.com).
“Information itself is very directly about saving lives. If
we take the wrong decisions, make the wrong choices
about where we put our money and our effort because
our knowledge is poor, we are condemning some of
the most deserving to death or destitution.”
Information Management and the cluster
coordination meeting
- John Holmes, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator
These meetings also provide an excellent opportunity
to discuss information requirements.
Data products will often be available in hardcopy at
cluster coordination meetings.