Communication needs assessments
In 2014, CDAC Network member agencies worked together to develop a suite of common tools to assess the information and communication needs of communities affected by disasters. The following were produced:
Quick and easy guide: assessing information and communication needs
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.
Pocket guide: information & communication questions in rapid needs assessments
Designed for field practitioners and can be printed on one double-sided sheet of paper. It summarises the key steps and provides five key questions and response options.
Pocket guide also available in French
Suite of CDAC Network common communication needs assessment tools
Developed by three of CDAC’s media development agencies (BBC Media Action, International Media Support (IMS) and Internews), this suite of common tools for conducting communication needs assessments following a disaster is based on questionnaires used by Internews.
Non-media development organisations can still use these tools. For example, some of the questions can be included in other sector assessments to ensure data is collected on communication needs. Moreover, CDAC Network advocates for a comprehensive communication needs assessment to be conducted in the context of every new emergency, which would require the use of this kind of tool.
The suite of common tools includes: