While important progress has been made in strengthening the methodology for Coordinated Needs Assessment (CNA) in the wake of humanitarian crises and in broadening participation, the objectives of needs assessment are still not being adequately served by current practice. The ambitions of humanitarian reform, to provide predictable assistance based on comprehensive needs-based relief are not best served by the current model of needs assessments. Experience from the use of the JNA, McRAM and RINAH provide compelling evidence of the tardiness with which current CNA practice delivers results. While this can be short-circuited by providing ‘interim’ analysis, what is required is a framework which can galvanise the support of the humanitarian community in the earliest phases after a disaster has struck and which can provide results across multiple sectors in a timeframe that will support operational decision-making. Research shows that despite this ‘methodology gap’, innovation within the sector and a growing consensus about the importance of CNA means that the many of the elements of a good practice cycle to address this gap have either been developed or are in development. FOR FULL REPORT SEE http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/final-4-2012-building-a-better-response-research-report.pdf

1. Coordinated Needs Assessment (CNA) Methodology Gap
Recent CNA practice has seen
assessments launched in the first
weeks after a disaster but results
haven’t been released until after
High a month by which time the
situation has often changed or
humanitarian agencies have
conducted their own
assessments and initiated
CNA - Current programmes. This ‘methodology
Practice gap’ speaks to a mismatch
Complexity between the complexity of the
of Tools approach adopted for CNA and
the context. In the first days after
a disaster when the situation is
most dynamic, a simple approach
is essential if analysis and results
CNA - Future are to be timely and able to
Practice inform planning. As the situation
stabilises more complex tools can
Low be used. In situations of conflict
or multi-hazard disasters where
the context is fluid, it will be
Static Dynamic necessary to regularly assess the
Context approach to ensure it is
appropriate to the context